Antje Vollmer with a group of scientists from Kenya

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In: BESSYBeamlineScientists, Careers, Diversity, International, Science Communication

The BESSY@HZB user meeting will take place at the end of June 2023. For the first time, there will be a country of honour, Kenya. Antje Vollmer, BESSY II spokesperson, tells us how this came about and why it is important to work at eye level with researchers from other countries. Science diplomacy has long been a central theme for Antje Vollmer. She recalls that a lecture by Rolf-Dieter Heuer1 had a particular impact on her: “He spoke about the importance of CERN beyond science, and the role of large-scale research institutions for international cooperation and science diplomacy.” At BESSY II, international collaborations in thisRead More →

A group of diverse, unique people. Visualisation of diversity. Decorative.

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In: Careers, Diversity, Science Communication

Diversity is a very hot topic at the moment. All over we see campaigns about it, companies waking up to its profit potential, and institutions wanting to harness its creative power. What do we mean when we use the word diversity, what is its scope? Who do we want to reach and who feels spoken to when we say that diversity matters? Unique people living together Simply put, diversity is the existence of a wide variation of characteristics in a group of people. When we say diversity matters, we are recognizing and valuing that variation, and aiming at promoting fair treatment and full participation ofRead More →

Portrait foto of Mahmoud Hussein

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In: Careers, Diversity, International, PhDlife, Students

Mahmoud Hussein is a PhD candidate at the department for active materials and interfaces for stable perovskite solar cells. In this interview he talks about his experiences working in international teams and how different cultures can contribute to scientific progress by encouraging creative thinking. What is important to you about diversity? The most important aspect in diversity, for me, is having people from different cultures and from different backgrounds – and different science perspectives. That’s very important because this is one of the main driving forces of science. Why? Because when you take people. from different backgrounds, from different educational systems, different academic sub fields,Read More →

Portrait of Aarthi Nandy

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In: Careers, Diversity, International, Science Communication

Aarthi Nandy studied chemical engineering at the University of Bath in England and then lived and worked in the UK for several years. Aarthi Nandy has been working at HZB since March 2021, first in the procurement team of the dismantling project and now in the user coordination department. A talk about privilege at work and in professional context. What do you do at HZB? Since February 2023, I have been in the User Coordination department, which looks after measurement guests from all over the world. I am responsible for quality management. Our users are very international, which is very exciting! I’m also the deputyRead More →

A portrait picture of Ulli Schade

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In: Careers, Diversity

Dr Ulrich Schade has been with BESSY II from the beginning and has built up and further developed the IRIS beamline. A wide variety of materials are studied there with infrared or terahertz radiation, from biological cells to superconductors to archaeological finds. Today, he will talk with us about respect, diversity, and a good life in a collaborative environment. What is particularly important to you when it comes to diversity? In my environment, i.e. in research, this is not really a problem. I am very open about it and have never seen diversity as negative: Everyone has the same rights. But of course, discrimination happensRead More →

Portrait of Lisa Seelau

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In: Careers, Diversity, International, PhDlife, Science Communication, Students

Lisa Seelau is a HR specialist for personnel marketing and participates in the LGBTQ group at HZB. Diversity plays a big role in her everyday professional life. In this talk, she mentions how much a culture of openness and exchange about different perspectives enriches her. What is important to you when it comes to diversity? I firmly believe that diversity in a company brings new ideas and perspectives. It changes the view that has existed for a long time, the heteronormative view of the cis-white male. There are also numerous studies showing that diversity makes companies more successful. Diversity works best when there is trainingRead More →

Portrait picture of Nomi Sorgenfrei

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In: Careers, Diversity, International, PhDlife, Science Communication, Students

Physicist Dr Nomi Sorgenfrei develops methods and instruments for research with X-ray light at BESSY II at HZB and investigates catalytically active thin films herself. A conversation about privileges, diversity at work, and intersectional forms of discrimination. What is particularly important to you when it comes to diversity? The appreciation of all people with their different backgrounds, whether cultural, religious or gender. We all just want to have a good life and contribute to society. And it is very good when people with different perspectives contribute. At what points in your work does diversity play a role? Very practically in the daily encounter with peopleRead More →

Diversity: "You must be the change you want to see in the world"

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In: Careers, Diversity, International, PhDlife, Students

Everyone is talking about diversity nowadays. Every organisation is looking to be as diverse as possible. It is seen as a commercial success factor and is also often worn as a badge of honour. Diversity has already been written into many company guidelines and policies. In one wording or another, we read that diversity leads to better results, increases profits and secures innovation. And this is all true, of course. Yet, I often find that the claims being made are still too vague. It feels like maybe companies only start championing diversity when they can put a number on its added value. But diversity oughtRead More →

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In: Careers, Energymaterials, International, PhDlife

A research stay abroad that is well planned and executed can propel your advancement as a doctoral student. It also gains you valuable professional contacts and broadens your horizon. When doctoral student Erwin Fernandez somewhat stagnated with his experimental results, he was positively surprised what his co-supervisors in the project and a change of perspective could do for him. An interview by Ulrike Goldenblatt, Coordinator of HI-SCORERead More →