An Espresso with... Dr. Monika Michaelis
That major events cast their shadows ahead is something Dr.-Ing. Monika Michaelis is feeling particularly strongly these days. The 39-year-old is not only the Deputy Director and AI Coordinator of the U Bremen Research Alliance (UBRA) but also part of the Local Arrangements Committee for IJCAI-ECAI 2026 – the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence and the European Conference on Artificial Intelligence. This conference is among the most significant worldwide in the field of artificial intelligence and will take place in August 2026 in the Hanseatic city. It is undeniably a strong signal for Bremen as a center of scientific excellence, but also a great deal of work for the team on site. Michaelis herself studied and completed her doctorate at the University of Bremen. After positions in the UK and Munich, she returned to the Weser as the Deputy Director of UBRA, responsible for coordinating AI initiatives.
Dr. Michaelis, you studied at the University of Bremen – what attracted you to this program and location at the time?
I was the first in my family to attend university, and from the very beginning I felt that this was not a disadvantage at the University of Bremen. The university sees itself as open, accessible, and committed to equal opportunities – and that is exactly how I experienced it. The lived openness and commitment to equity here were major reasons why I was glad to return to Bremen later on.
Were there key moments or people during your studies or doctorate who influenced your later path?
There wasn’t one single defining moment for me, but many experiences that complemented each other. I began in the old diploma degree program and then became part of the transition to the bachelor’s–master’s system – a phase that brought a lot of uncertainty for students and sparked my interest in higher education policy and involvement. I was also shaped by my time in the StugA (student council) and at LiMint (List of STEM Students), where these issues were central. In addition, I studied in two departments and therefore got to know two very different academic cultures. And last but not least, my numerous student assistant jobs – partly to finance my studies and partly to work as close to research as possible.
What role does your education at the University of Bremen play in your professional work today?
I think the most formative aspect of my education at the University of Bremen is the mindset of not thinking about research in isolation. Here I learned how important interdisciplinarity and societal relevance are for good science, and this still shapes my work today. Even in my current role, it is often about building bridges between disciplines, institutions, and people. I encountered this understanding of science as a shared endeavor here for the first time.
After periods in the UK and Munich, you returned to the Weser. How did your path back to Bremen unfold – and what motivated you to work here again?
I originally wanted to stay in academia and started a postdoc position in the UK after completing my doctorate. The next planned step to Canada was then prevented by the pandemic – like many others, this became a turning point for me. After an interesting time at a start-up in Munich, I was drawn back into the academic environment as a research manager; I have simply remained a scientist at heart. Ultimately, in addition to family reasons, the opportunity to work across institutions in a research alliance attracted me back to Bremen. And as a northerner, I simply feel more at home here.
IJCAI is one of the most prestigious AI conferences worldwide – what does it mean to you personally to help organize and host this event?
IJCAI-ECAI 2026 is an important conference for the international AI community, and I am very grateful that I have been entrusted with a central role in the planning. It is a major responsibility, but also a unique opportunity. I find it especially exciting that the work brings together a wonderful international team and dedicated local colleagues. And it is great to contribute to presenting Bremen as a globally connected, open-minded, and strong center for AI research.
What long-term impulses do you hope for the Bremen region and for young researchers here?
I hope that Bremen will use IJCAI-ECAI 2026 to show more confidently everything that is already happening here. The city has an impressive research landscape but sometimes hides its light under a bushel. If we manage to use this moment to become more visible, to encourage young researchers from Bremen, and to attract others to come here, that would be a wonderful boost for the region.
And on a personal note: Please complete the following sentence: “The University of Bremen is for me …”
… a part of where I come from – not only geographically, but also in terms of how I think about and live science.