New steps towards greater visibility: What specific benefits do individual research projects actually have for society? Or more simply: How does research help make our lives better? The answers are particularly interesting for people outside the scientific community and help to increase understanding of research and science.
The “Science made in Hamburg” project was born out of this idea. It aims to communicate the social impact of research projects at all of Hamburg's universities in a way that is easy to understand and entertaining, but always scientifically correct. The idea for the project came from the vice presidents for research at Hamburg's universities. The associated, newly created editorial position is based at the Hamburg University of Technology, but the topics are developed in collaboration with all of Hamburg's universities. They all contribute projects with a societal impact from their fields, so that a picture of the entire range of research in Hamburg can emerge.
Input for stories about research projects is welcome
Stefanie Hentschel has been in the new role of editor for “Science made in Hamburg” at the TU Hamburg since April 1. She will tell the societal impact stories from the universities, and the texts will then appear regularly on hamburg.de, the official website of the city. That is why she is always interested in exciting projects that are suitable for such stories and she welcomes researchers getting in touch with her.
After her studies in Tübingen, Stefanie Hentschel came to Hamburg to train at the Henri Nannen School of Journalism. She then worked for more than twenty years at the Hamburg publishing house Gruner + Jahr as an editor and editorial manager. Now she is looking forward to the change of perspective from a publishing house to a university: “It's very appealing to me to show the people of Hamburg how much research in their city has to do with their lives.” Another big plus of her new role for her is: “When the researchers tell me about their work, they share their passion and enthusiasm for their project with me – what could be better?”
The position is funded by the Claussen Simon Stiftung in Hamburg. The foundation supports pupils and students, young researchers and artists with scholarships and funding programs, and supports projects in science and research.
Contact: stefanie.hentschel[at]tuhh(dot)de
