"The Head of Administration must act as an impetus and coordinator in the service sector!"

Mr Schellhardt, how do you understand your office as Head of Administration, or in other words: What kind of Head of Administration do you want to be?
In addition to the legal definition of duties, I understand the position as Head of Administration primarily as an interface between the science sector and the service sectors. Therefore, communicative skills are primarily required in order to shape the not entirely resolvable conflict of goals between the needs of the science sector and the regulatory constraints of the administration with little friction and conflict.
In addition, the universities, like other areas, are under great pressure to change. Examples include the effects of the COVID19 pandemic on the world environment, climate protection and sustainability, and the worsening shortage of skilled workers.

The competences and experiences of all people at the university are therefore needed for the upcoming change processes. For the service sector, the Head of Administration must act as a source of inspiration and coordinator. I am happy to be approached for criticism, ideas and suggestions, regardless of the group of people at the university.

When you became acting Head of Administration after the departure of your predecessor, Dr Jörg Brauns, you not only had to deal with the consequences of the COVID crisis at the university, but also with the consequences of the energy crisis and ultimately with financial challenges for the University of Erfurt. The good thing is that you are already crisis-tested. The only bad thing is that you can't give any big "gifts". What attracted you to the position – do you see possibilities for manoeuvre despite everything?
Even though we currently have to deal with significantly increased planning uncertainty with regard to further financial development and austerity measures are still in force, there are also possibilities for manoeuvre, both on a large and small scale. It is precisely crises, albeit painful ones, that often trigger profound processes of change. For example, digitalisation, accelerated by the COVID19 pandemic, presents us with challenges that I find appealing to overcome. Not every measure has to mean a considerable additional financial outlay. Working on internal communication and optimising processes are just two examples. Here we can achieve progress without extensive investment. In addition to accompanying changes, the daily contact with many different people and the broad range of topics are what make being Head of Administration so appealing to me. Despite 15 months as acting Head of Administration, it is a constant learning process.

What are the most important tasks that you now have "on your plate" as the new Head of Administration?
On the one hand, there are tasks that are unfortunately passed on from one Head of Administration to the next one like a baton. Above all, this concerns the existing renovation backlog in the university's buildings. This topic becomes all the more urgent in light of the climate and energy crisis, but can only be tackled in cooperation with other players in Thuringia.

On the other hand, against the backdrop of the financial situation in the service sector, first and foremost we must face up to a task critique and, insofar as activities are optional, hold a discussion within the university as to whether and to what extent services should and can be offered in the future. Tasks that are not optional must be examined for optimisation possibilities. For both areas, further cooperation with other Thuringian universities is a possibility to secure the range of services as far as possible.

In addition, it is important to represent the university's position in the upcoming negotiations for a framework agreement from 2026 onwards and to secure financial resources, among other things.

What do you personally like about the University of Erfurt?
The manageable size of the university enables a direct contact with many stakeholders and many things can be discussed more easily. In my role as Head of Administration, I also retain a certain amount of the role of the "first clerk". This has the advantage that contact with day-to-day business is maintained. In addition, I like the greenery on campus; many a gloomy mood simply vanishes when you look out of the window.

Imagine the minister will visit you tomorrow and has a fairy godmother with him who grants you three wishes. What would they be?
Due to the low probability of occurrence, I have not actually asked myself this question so far. If the fairy's area of competence is limited to the University of Erfurt, I would first ask for the complete renovation of the university infrastructure. The second wish would certainly be accompanied by a request for financial planning security for a ten-year period. This would certainly benefit the structural debate that has been initiated. The third wish I would like to save in these uncertain times for unforeseen things that we cannot manage on our own.

Since you took over the office of Head of Administration on an interim basis and were also Head of Department, there probably hasn't been much time for private things and hobbies. Nevertheless, the question: What is Christian Schellhardt passionate about when he is not on duty?
Thanks to the support of many colleagues, it was able to keep my work and private life in a tolerable balance despite the double burden. I find balance and also some ideas while cycling or working in the garden. Beyond that, my interests are quite wide-ranging...