Professor Rockenbach, the Leopoldina has formulated strategic goals for the next five years. Why now?
Bettina Rockenbach: Two circumstances contributed to this: I took up my post just over a year ago, and when you are new, you look at established processes with fresh eyes. At the same time, during my predecessor Gerald Haug’s term of office, there was already a desire within the Academy’s administration to reflect on the experiences of the pandemic. The result of these two strands was an extensive process, accompanied by numerous discussions in internal working groups and with input from external stakeholders. Our strategy paper is the outcome. I think it is important that the strategic objectives were developed through a participatory process involving the members and the Academy’s administration, while also incorporating an external perspective. The strategy paper defines the direction that will guide our future focus and work.
The first objective is: “Standing up for academic freedom”. This is of fundamental importance, yet it cannot be taken for granted, can it?
Rockenbach: Academic freedom is one of our core pillars; the Leopoldina has championed it since it was founded. However, like democracy, it is not automatically guaranteed or immune to attack. Current developments make this even clearer. Academic freedom can be under threat not only in authoritarian states but also in liberal democracies, and it concerns us — as it does all scientific organisations — that this could even happen in our own country. As the National Academy, the Leopoldina has a special role: it represents German science abroad and exchanges ideas internationally with the academies of other countries. At national level, it works with, among others, the major scientific organisations in the “Alliance”. What we are seeing in the United States is unsettling and at the same time opens our eyes to the fact that academic freedom can quite simply be undermined by restricting financial resources. And it shows how quickly such developments can occur. Academic freedom remains our first objective; it is indispensable not only for science itself, but is also of immense importance for our society and our democracy.
In future, policy advice is to include a more systematic evaluation of the impact of statements and discussion papers. Has the advice not been effective enough so far?
Rockenbach: You raise an important question, but the answer is not straightforward. On the basis of scientific expertise, we identify options for action for policymakers and society. Often, however, there is not just one path. Frequently there are several possible courses of action, and we also point out the potential effects and consequences of a particular “course-setting” that should be considered. Political decisions arise from social, and often also ethical, processes of negotiation and weighing-up. We are not the elected representatives who make these decisions, but we must find suitable formats to initiate the deliberations that lead to them. We therefore cannot measure our impact by what ultimately makes it into legislation. For us, one benchmark is whether policymakers take note of our considerations. We want to be heard and to stimulate processes of understanding — and to do so as early as possible.
In future, the potential of members from all disciplines is also to be used more effectively. Will this mean more work for members?
Rockenbach: The Leopoldina has two fields of activity: it is not only the classical learned society founded in 1652, but since 2008, as the National Academy, it has also advised policymakers and society and represented German science abroad, for example in the relevant science bodies, the S7 or S20, ahead of a G7 or G20 summits. Its current approximately 1,700 members constitute the expertise on which we draw. What is special about the Leopoldina is the broad spectrum of members, all of whom have gone through an excellence-based election process. That is a unique feature. The representation of almost all disciplines within the Leopoldina makes it easier for members to find experts from other fields when they have ideas for interdisciplinary projects.
At the same time, it is about anticipating the challenges of the future together. The Leopoldina is particularly well positioned for this because, by bringing together expertise from almost all subject areas, it can initiate activities that go beyond specific research projects. One example is the working group “Consequences of space travel for the atmosphere”. It is concerned with the opportunities and problems associated with the increased use of space: this is not only about traffic and access control, but also about the question of what happens to decommissioned satellites. Even when satellites “burn up” on re-entering the atmosphere, residues remains, and the members of the working group are now considering what purely chemical effects this could have on the atmosphere and thus on our climate, and which materials might be more environmentally compatible and sustainable.
Your enthusiasm as an economist for a topic from a completely different field is clear.
Rockenbach: That is the wonderful thing about my job. For me, it is a joy and a privilege to be involved in such a wide range of questions.
At the same time, the strategy paper speaks of closer links with the capital and of the scientific-historical and cultural significance of the Halle location. Is that a balancing act?
Rockenbach: We are well practised at this; both are possible. Our prominent location in Berlin is important for international contacts and for direct exchange with policymakers. On the other hand, our headquarters has been in Halle since 1878; we are rooted here. Our library and archive are also located there, where we safeguard cultural treasures of irreplaceable national value, such as Albert Einstein’s handwritten curriculum vitae. We feel responsible for this cultural heritage. However, the historic building is in poor condition and needs to be renovated. The planning is already at a very advanced stage but are still in discussions with the federal and state governments about funding.
In addition to policy advice, the Leopoldina is also involved in providing advice to society. New formats are intended to strengthen dialogue between science and the public. What ideas are there? '
Rockenbach: The traditional approach is through our publications on various topics. This is very successful and should remain so. In addition, there are new formats, for example a podcast called “1652”, after the year the Leopoldina was founded, which connects the Academy’s history with current topics. Through digital background discussions, our new website and social media channels, we want to provide even more insight. We are also increasingly seeking dialogue with citizens, developing ideas for innovative event formats, for example. In Berlin, we have already invited people to a screening of the film “Oppenheimer” followed by an expert discussion; we would like to continue this. And finally: why shouldn’t there be dancing at a Leopoldina event? It has been scientifically proven that physical activity can help prevent numerous diseases and keep the mind sharp. In Halle, we are now taking part in the traditional Lantern Festival for the first time — with a dance workshop for everyone, with music from the Staatskapelle Halle orchestra.
The interview was conducted by Dr Adelheid Müller-Lissner.