“I want to provide the future leaders of landscaping with the methodological and professional expertise they need to operate successfully and with legal certainty in an increasingly complex environment,” says Muschkullus.

As a qualified engineer, Muschkullus has extensive practical experience as a construction and project manager, including on international projects. Among other considerations, the practical relevance of Muschkullus’ experience was a decisive factor in his appointment to the professorship and is something he also sees as a key element of his approach to teaching: “As well as imparting a sound theoretical knowledge of construction management, I want to teach students how to apply problem-solving strategies to specific practical issues.”

Digital Tools in Landscaping

In his research, Thomas Muschkullus focuses on the use of digital tools. The core of his teaching and research strategy will be establishing a learning laboratory at Hochschule Geisenheim University, where students will be able to analyze construction projects in a virtual environment. For his dissertation, Muschkullus developed digital twins of dynamic project systems, enabling construction projects to be simulated in their entirety – from planning to realization and use. The interplay between the object and its environment can also be simulated, making even the most complex project structures visible.

Muschkullus' research also focuses on the potential of artificial intelligence and semi-autonomous production in landscaping.

Game-Based Learning

Thomas Muschkullus enjoys integrating gamification into his teaching approach: “I’ve had positive experiences with using planning games in my class across semesters,” he explains. Together with other tutors and the e-Learning department at Hochschule Geisenheim University, he developed “Projektopia”, a role-playing game that combines classic tabletop gaming with learning about project management. Students can not only gain technical and methodological knowledge but also build their social and interpersonal skills through playing the game.

Muschkullus has worked as a lecturer at Hochschule Geisenheim University since 2016 and is pleased to be able to continue researching and teaching at the university now that he has been appointed as a professor: “For me, the various parks, the proximity to the Rhine, and the campus’ location in the middle of the Rheingau’s cultural landscape gives Hochschule Geisenheim University a unique charm. I’m currently most looking forward to working with the students and facing the challenges of digitalization together with them and our partners.”

Biography

Professor Thomas Muschkullus attained a diploma in civil engineering and a master’s degree in technical building management at Mainz University of Applied Sciences. He completed his doctorate at Hochschule Geisenheim University on the topic of “Dealing with the complexity of large-scale nature conservation projects” in 2022. He has also worked as a construction and project manager for various international companies, both during and after completing his studies.

He has already held deputy professorships at Hochschule RheinMain and Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences prior to his appointment to professor at Hochschule Geisenheim University.

More Information: Professorship for Construction Operation and Management in Landscaping