A Strong Team

city2science brings together founder and CEO Dr. Annette Klinkert with project managers Dr. Verena Molitor and Dr. Annika Kreikenbohm—a team united by curiosity, creativity, and a passion for connecting science and society.

We work mobile and decentralized, combining structured processes with an agile mindset. Our best ideas emerge from a thoughtful rhythm of collaboration and focused independent work—whether from home offices or our inspiring workspace Unter den Linden in Herford.

Driven by clarity, speed, and purpose, we transform complex visions into concrete results. city2science is not just a team, but a mindset: committed to making science a catalyst for positive urban change.

Dr. Annette Klinkert
Dr. Annette KlinkertFounder and CEO

Dr. Annette Klinkert is a leading expert in strategic science communication and in shaping innovative collaborations between cities, universities, and civil society. For more than two decades, she has been creating formats, networks, and participatory processes that embed scientific knowledge into urban transformation and open new spaces for dialogue between research and urban communities.

From 2016 to 2025, she served as Director of the European Science Engagement Association (EUSEA), strengthening the organization as a key European platform for participatory science communication. After establishing and managing the Science Office at Bielefeld Marketing GmbH, she founded city2science GmbH in 2012, a consulting agency that continues to support cities and research institutions in strategic innovation, co-creation, and engagement processes.

Annette Klinkert has developed the concepts for numerous science engagement formats, including the GENIALE science festival, the WissensNacht Ruhr, the Maker Faire Ruhr, and Expedition Wissenschaft in Paderborn.

As Managing Director of the COLOURS European University Alliance (2024–2025), she advanced regional innovation ecosystems by introducing CoLabs, CoSpaces, and hackathons that fostered collaboration across sectors and disciplines.

Dr. Verena Molitor
Dr. Verena MolitorProject manager

Verena Molitor has been part of the city2science team as a project manager since October 2023. She holds a doctorate in sociology, a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary media studies. Before joining city2science, she worked for many years at Bielefeld University in an international project, where she worked with various target groups in interdisciplinary programs in teaching, research, exchange and public engagement. At city2science, she is responsible for the development of workshops and trainings on topics such as science communication, public engagement and open innovation, as well as for large funding applications.

Dr. Annika Kreikenbohm
Dr. Annika Kreikenbohm Project manager

Dr. Annika Kreikenbohm (they/them) has been working as a project manager at city2science since 2024 and combines a background in astrophysics with communication design. They promote the exchange between research and the public with interactive and innovative formats. As an experienced science communicator, Annika Kreikenbohm designs and leads workshops and training sessions for researchers and institutions. Their conceptual thinking, creative expertise and experience in non-violent communication and inclusion flow into the development of accessible science formats. As a freelance information designer, Annika Kreikenbohm also creates visualizations and immersive experiences that make complex scientific topics understandable and tangible.

Participation process Protestant Church Herford Herringhausen

Since March 2022, city2science has been supporting the Herford Herringhausen Protestant Church in a participation process. The goal of the „innovation project“ is the role of church in the neighborhood.