21.09.2026
Since September 1, 2026, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Helen Bartsch has headed the Chair of Steel and Lightweight Construction in the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering. To mark her start at RUB, she spoke with the PR team about new technologies, sustainable construction, her plans for research and teaching — and why steel construction is far from having reached its full potential.
“Developing Steel Construction to Ensure Its Future Viability”
Prof. Bartsch is particularly pleased to be joining an existing team with a strong sense of cohesion. She hopes to preserve this cohesion while also expanding the chair’s staff in the coming years. In terms of research, her focus is on the future viability of steel construction: “We are an established industry, but we must still keep up with the times, embrace new technologies, and find solutions to the challenges of the coming decades.” For Prof. Bartsch, this also applies to teaching. In addition to imparting important technical fundamentals, she aims to employ innovative teaching methods and closely integrate theory, current research, and construction practice.
Great Research Potential in an Established Field
What makes steel construction particularly exciting today? For Prof. Bartsch, the answer lies precisely in the field’s continuous evolution. From the outside, steel construction can sometimes appear to be a construction method that has long since reached its full potential. In reality, however, there is “an astonishing amount” to explore. New technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes, digitalization, and increasing demands for sustainability and the circular economy continually give rise to new research questions. For Prof. Bartsch, this continuous evolution is a particular appeal of her field.
Open and Uncomplicated: The Start at RUB
Prof. Bartsch has also been warmly welcomed at Ruhr University Bochum. She finds the openness and helpfulness of the people at RUB particularly refreshing. One remark she heard shortly after starting her new position has stuck with her: “We may not win any beauty contests here, but behind every door there are people you can talk to.” Her impressions so far confirm the second part of that statement in particular: she finds the people at RUB to be “extremely open, friendly, helpful, and pleasantly uncomplicated.” This has been a great source of support, especially as she settles into her new university.
“Do what you truly enjoy”
Prof. Bartsch wants to share one key piece of advice with the students in her department: They should figure out what truly interests them and brings them joy. “I believe that you become particularly good at the things you enjoy doing and are willing to invest time and energy in,” she says. She adds that college is a great time to discover what that is for each individual.
Since September 1, 2026, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Helen Bartsch has headed the Chair of Steel and Lightweight Construction in the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering. To mark her start at RUB, she spoke with the PR team about new technologies, sustainable construction, her plans for research and teaching — and why steel construction is far from having reached its full potential.
“Developing Steel Construction to Ensure Its Future Viability”
Prof. Bartsch is particularly pleased to be joining an existing team with a strong sense of cohesion. She hopes to preserve this cohesion while also expanding the chair’s staff in the coming years. In terms of research, her focus is on the future viability of steel construction: “We are an established industry, but we must still keep up with the times, embrace new technologies, and find solutions to the challenges of the coming decades.” For Prof. Bartsch, this also applies to teaching. In addition to imparting important technical fundamentals, she aims to employ innovative teaching methods and closely integrate theory, current research, and construction practice.
Great Research Potential in an Established Field
What makes steel construction particularly exciting today? For Prof. Bartsch, the answer lies precisely in the field’s continuous evolution. From the outside, steel construction can sometimes appear to be a construction method that has long since reached its full potential. In reality, however, there is “an astonishing amount” to explore. New technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes, digitalization, and increasing demands for sustainability and the circular economy continually give rise to new research questions. For Prof. Bartsch, this continuous evolution is a particular appeal of her field.
Open and Uncomplicated: The Start at RUB
Prof. Bartsch has also been warmly welcomed at Ruhr University Bochum. She finds the openness and helpfulness of the people at RUB particularly refreshing. One remark she heard shortly after starting her new position has stuck with her: “We may not win any beauty contests here, but behind every door there are people you can talk to.” Her impressions so far confirm the second part of that statement in particular: she finds the people at RUB to be “extremely open, friendly, helpful, and pleasantly uncomplicated.” This has been a great source of support, especially as she settles into her new university.
“Do what you truly enjoy”
Prof. Bartsch wants to share one key piece of advice with the students in her department: They should figure out what truly interests them and brings them joy. “I believe that you become particularly good at the things you enjoy doing and are willing to invest time and energy in,” she says. She adds that college is a great time to discover what that is for each individual.
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Last update: Sep 21, 2026
