Representatives of the world of politics and business sit on the advisory board of the Zollverein School. It is the task of this body to help the research and educational institute build up an international network. As representatives of the fields of communication, design-oriented corporate culture, virtual learning, and architecture and design, they support the school in an advisory capacity.

Under the chairmanship of Hartmut Krebs, secretary of state in the Ministry for Science and Research of the Land North Rhine-Westphalia, the advisory board also proposes courses and co-operation projects. As ambassadors for the Zollverein School, the advisory board offers its advice on all matters and makes proposals for the annual programme.