“Respect for Different Life Biographies”

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 happens all the time in society, I don’t want to belittle that.

At what points in your work does diversity play a role?

I work in a very international team, with people from many countries, some older, some still young. I am happy about that. But of course, there are differences: Look at the shelf in my office, there are still a lot of reference books. With the younger ones, I can’t find any more books, they only read digitally. They bring a lot of risk-taking with them, they are under a lot of pressure to publish and to get ahead. We older people can sometimes think a bit more, bring in our experience and, of course, our contacts that we have built up over a lifetime.

When has it helped you that there are different opinions on a topic?

I was in Japan for a while as a junior researcher, and I lived there with my family in a housing complex for research guests. A Chinese family lived below us and they always cooked fish in the morning, at noon and in the evening. We didn’t like the smell at all and a little resentment built up, I have to admit. But when we had to move out of the flat and were urgently looking for a new place to live, these neighbours, of all people, helped us. That was really a revelation for us.

Where was there friction?

So I wouldn’t say friction, actually I don’t see a problem. But what bothers me is when diversity is turned into such a fighting term. It gives people the feeling that something abstract is being imposed on them from above. But you have to fill it with life in a concrete way, on the ground among the people themselves, that’s where living together becomes clear, and where it doesn’t, you just have to talk to each other.

Which aspect of diversity (origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion) should HZB be more committed to?

It’s actually quite simple: respect for different life biographies.

This interview was conducted by Antonia Rötger.

“Diversity is a fact, inclusion is an act”

This is the headline of the Helmholtz Guideline on Diversity and Inclusion. It emphasizes that while diversity naturally exists in our society, inclusion requires intentional effort. Diversity encompasses a wide range of dimensions and highlights the differences among individuals. It goes beyond categories such as nationality or gender, recognizing that each person is unique in their personal life choices, circumstances, worldview, background, abilities, inclinations, and appearance.

What is crucial to understand, is that diversity is not some annoying ideology imposed from above. It is an integral part of our society. Embracing and celebrating diversity brings richness and fresh perspectives to our communities. Sensitivity to this topic and an active approach to inclusion are fundamental for fostering successful and collaborative environments.

Inclusion, on the other hand, goes beyond just acknowledging diversity. It involves actively shaping our collective culture to ensure equal opportunities for all individuals. It is about creating an atmosphere where everyone feels respected, valued, and included, where their voices are heard, and their talents can flourish. Inclusion requires ongoing efforts to promote fairness, openness, and a sense of belonging. It is an ongoing process of nurturing an environment that allows individuals to grow personally and contribute their best.

Recognizing diversity as a fact and implementing active inclusion policies serve as the foundation for fostering successful and harmonious collaborations. By embracing the broad spectrum of diversity, being sensitive to the needs of others, and actively including all individuals, we can build stronger, more innovative, and inclusive communities that benefit everyone.

Written by Ribal Zeitouni.