On June 30, 2026, the RIS After Work Exchange returned for a new edition, this time under the title "Auf ein Bier mit Herrn Stauder." At the Casino in Essen, the University of Duisburg-Essen welcomed Dr. Thomas Stauder, Managing Director of the Privatbrauerei Jacob Stauder, for an evening that connected entrepreneurial practice, research, and a relaxed exchange over a cold beer.

A Fireside Chat on Tradition and Family Business
At the heart of the evening was a Kamingespräch between Prof. Dr. Hannes Rothe and Dr. Stauder. Since 1867, the name Stauder has stood for brewing in Essen. As an independent family business now in its sixth generation, the brewery offered a rich starting point for the conversation. Personally and with a good deal of humour, Dr. Stauder shared what it takes to preserve craft and character over such a long period of time, and how a family brewery holds its own in a demanding and consolidating market.

An Impulse from Research: How AI Shapes Entrepreneurial Innovation
The evening opened with an impulse by Prof. Dr. Hannes Rothe on how artificial intelligence is reshaping entrepreneurial innovation processes. His talk set the stage by connecting current research to concrete questions of practice, exactly the bridge between academia and industry that the RIS After Work Exchange is designed to build.

Networking Over a Cold Stauder Beer
After the fireside chat, the evening moved into an open Get Together. Over a cold Stauder beer, participants continued the discussion in a more informal setting. This is what the format is all about: good conversations, new contacts, and an honest exchange after work, in an atmosphere that makes it easy to connect across research, industry, and student life.

About the RIS After Work Exchange
The RIS After Work Exchange is a recurring evening series at the Rhine-Ruhr Institute of Information Systems that brings research and practice together in a relaxed setting. The next edition will feature Prof. Dr. Ralf Plattfaut. Anyone who would like to take part is welcome to get in touch to be added to our mailing list for upcoming events.