Representatives from various LOEWE projects gather at TU Darmstadt to exchange ideas and experiences
From June 22 to 23, the ProLOEWE Network held its annual meeting for LOEWE research projects. Representatives from the various projects traveled to Darmstadt from all over Hesse to share experiences, learn about each other’s current research, and gain inspiration for science communication.
ProLOEWE Executive Director Tanja Desch welcomed all attendees and then handed the floor to Katharina Kleinschnitger, Manager of emergenCITY. Together with the emergenCITY team, she presented the LOEWE center’s research on resilient communication and infrastructure systems for crisis scenarios.
The focus was on the “Heinerboxes”, sensor boxes featuring a test bed for resilient communication, and the “Litfaßsäule 4.0,” a self-powered warning column. During a tour in Darmstadt’s Lichtenbergblock, attendees were able to see both demonstrators in practical use and learn how emergenCITY tests its research in Darmstadt’s urban environment.
On the second day, Samuel van Gele from the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart led a workshop on innovative methods in science communication. Under the title “A Quantum of Impro: Strategic Science Communication—Creating Impact, But How?,” he presented ways to apply techniques from improvisational theater for the creative communication of research topics.
In addition, Dr. Werner Nickel and Dr. Carina Oesterling-Winkler from the LOEWE office of the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture (HMWK) answered questions about figures, data, and facts related to the LOEWE program. This exchange, along with numerous informal conversations, provided guidance and strengthened connections within the network.
LOEWE is the research funding program of the state of Hesse. The acronym stands for “State Initiative for the Development of Scientific and Economic Excellence.” LOEWE was launched in 2008 with the goal of setting priorities in research policy and sustainably strengthening the research landscape in Hesse. emergenCITY is funded during the 12th LOEWE funding period, from 2020 through the end of 2026.
ProLOEWE is the network of LOEWE research projects, which has existed since 2012. It brings together the LOEWE centers and LOEWE research priorities with the aim to intensify their collaboration. ProLOEWE is administratively based at the University of Marburg.
Once a year, the ProLOEWE network organizes a meeting for all LOEWE research projects, where project representatives can get to know one another. Each year, a different project hosts the event and sets the agenda in cooperation with the ProLOEWE Office.
