Sep 02, 2026
Prof. Edeltraud Günther returns to the TU Dresden
After eight years as Director of the United Nations University institute "UNU Resource Nexus" (formerly UNU FLORES) in Dresden, Prof. Dr. Edeltraud Günther is returning to TU Dresden. On September 1, 2026, she will resume her professorship in Business Administration, esp. Sustainability Management and Environmental Accounting - at the Faculty of Business and Economics.
For eight years, Prof. Dr. Edeltraud Günther played a pivotal role in shaping the development of the United Nations University’s institute "UNU Resource Nexus". Her term as Director of the Institute concludes on August 31, 2026. On September 1, 2026, she will return to TU Dresden to resume her professorship at the Faculty of Business and Economics.
When she moved to the UNU in 2018, Günther suspended her activities at TU Dresden for the duration of her directorship. During this time, she focused particularly on the international advancement of the "Resource Nexus" approach, which examines the interdependencies between natural resources such as water, soil, energy, and others. Under her leadership, "UNU Resource Nexus" evolved into an internationally recognized center for research, education, and policy advice regarding the sustainable and integrated management of resources. Her eight-year tenure was honored at a farewell event held at the Dresden Kulturpalast in July 2026.
At TU Dresden, Günther will once again contribute her extensive expertise in sustainability management, environmental assessment, and ecologically oriented corporate management to both research and teaching. The professorship she leads focuses on areas such as environmental performance, value-based management, and sustainable corporate governance.
Her return also offers an opportunity to further strengthen the ties established in recent years between TU Dresden, the United Nations University, and the international sustainability research community. Günther remains closely connected to the sustainability research community in Dresden. Among other roles, she serves on the board of the Centre for Sustainability Assessment and Policy (PRISMA).
With Prof. Günther’s return to TU Dresden and Prof. Daniel Karthe’s assumption of the UNU directorship, a new chapter begins for both institutions. Karthe will take over leadership of the institute on September 1, 2026.
Edeltraud Günther’s return to TU Dresden also gives the faculty an opportunity to express its heartfelt thanks to Prof. Remmer Sassen for his many years of serving as Deputy Head of Chair. Remmer Sassen had taken over as Deputy Head of Chair in October 2019. One year later, in October 2020, he was appointed to the Chair of Business Administration, esp. Environmental Management, at IHI Zittau, a position he has held ever since. Remmer Sassen remains connected to the faculty through the newly established Research Group on Sustainability and Biodiversity Management.