ANNUAL REPORT 2011 www.germaninnovation.org 2 The German Center for Research and Innovation New York (GCRI) is a joint initiative of Germany’s Federal Foreign Office and its Federal Ministry of Education and Research. In its first two years of operation, GCRI has significantly enhanced the visibility of the German research and innovation landscape in North America, leading to new collaborative projects, investments in German technology, and an enhanced media presence for Germany in North America. GCRI’s areas of focus mirror those of Germany’s High-Tech Strategy, and include: Climate and Energy • Health and Nutrition • Mobility • Security • Communication In addition, GCRI has also led the transatlantic dialogue in emerging and evolving areas, such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, and medical technologies. Over 70% of GCRI’s activities in 2011 concentrated on the aforementioned areas of focus. These activities included panel discussions, symposia, exhibitions, and conferences. GCRI leveraged multiple communications media, including publishing a monthly newsletter, distributing press releases about significant developments and events, and posting on various Internet social media outlets. The Center’s dynamic website documents GCRI’s myriad activities and serves as an information platform for the German research and innovation landscape and funding sources. Over the past year, the Center’s website has registered visitors from 146 countries seeking information regarding job postings, funding opportunities for research in Germany, German innovation centers and technology parks, and general news feeds from Germany. GCRI’s most recent project is the creation of the GCRI Foundation, a 501©3, which will begin operations in 2012, with a Board of Directors from leading German and American companies. The Foundation will serve as a fundraising arm for the GCRI. In the year ahead, we are excited to continue to work towards our goal of enhancing the perception of Germany as a world leader in innovation by facilitating discussion, debate, and collaboration among key constituents in the U.S., Canada, and Germany. Upcoming events in 2012 will bring together thought leaders focused on manufacturing, medical technologies, the mapping of the neuron, energy policy, climate change, and technology innovation. In closing, I would like to thank my colleagues at GCRI, the German Academic Exchange Service, the German Research Foundation, and the members of our Advisory Board for their dedication, thoughtful input, and support of our efforts. Dr. Joann Halpern Director 3 Contents At the GCRI About Us 9 GCRI Advisory Council 10 GCRI Team 11 GCRI Partner Institutions 12 German Universities Liaison Offices in New York 13 2011 Calendar of Events 14 Nanovation New York & Nanotechnology Workshop 16 NanoArt New York 18 Tuberculosis: A Neglected Pandemic 20 Science for Sustainable Societal Transformations 21 Better Living Through Science 22 The Aging Brain 24 FOCUS: Smart Grid 2011 26 Opportunities and Challenges of a Sustainable City in the 21st Century 27 Selection of Event Participants 28 Selected Meetings and Visitors 30 Members of the German Bundestag 31 2012 Outlook 32 GCRI on the Road GCRI Online Conferences & Symposia 2011 36 The GCRI Website 48 Keynote: Transatlantic Perspectives on E-NNOVATION GERMANY – Emerging Technology Management 38 The GCRI Newsletter 52 The New Role of Universities in GCRI’s Social Media the Twenty-First Century 39 Presence on Twitter 56 GAIN-TEN Transatlantic GCRI in the Media 60 Entrepreneurship Network 40 Press Releases 61 Boosting Competitiveness by Connecting Science and Industry 41 Contact Us 62 ESSPRITS 2011 42 Imprint 64 What Can You Be With a Ph.D.? 43 Neuroscience & The Humanities 44 Symposium: Spatial Cognition for Architectural Design 45 6 At the GCRI 7 8 First Point of Contact for German Research and Innovation in North America Since its opening in February 2010, the German Center for Research and Innovation (GCRI) has successfully provided information and support for the realization of cooperative and collaborative projects between North America and Germany. During its first 23 months, GCRI organized more than 41 events in the U.S. and Canada, participated in 35 conferences, published 21 editions of its newsletter E-NNOVATION GERMANY, launched and enhanced its website, developed a significant social media presence on Twitter, and appeared in the media over 400 times. With the goal of strengthening transatlantic communication on the critical challenges of the 21st century, GCRI • Presents Germany to the North American market as a land of ideas and innovation • Enhances the dialogue between academia and industry • Creates a forum for the initiation and enhancement of transatlantic projects • Acts as an information platform for the German research landscape GCRI was created as a cornerstone of the German government’s initiative to internationalize science and research and is one of five centers worldwide. It is under the joint leadership of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) and receives its funding from the German Federal Foreign Office. The other centers are located in Moscow, New Delhi, Sao Paulo, and Tokyo. Additional information about GCRI’s partners can be found on page 12. 9 GCRI Advisory Council Under the leadership of its chair, Dr. Cathleen Fisher, The Advisory Council works collaboratively to help GCRI and GCRI’s Governing Directors, Dr. Sebastian Fohrbeck achieve its mission. The Council members’ expertise and and Dr. Eva-Maria Streier, the Advisory Council strongly leadership ensure that GCRI is well connected to key supports GCRI’s activities and outreach as it presents stakeholders in the United States and Germany across the Germany to the North American market. business, government, academic, and nonprofit sectors. Adam Moore, Andrea Bunse, Dr. Benno W. Executive Director, German President and CEO, German University Alliance American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Fisher, Dr. Cathleen S. Fohrbeck, Dr. Sebastian President, American Friends of the Director, DAAD North America Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Freitag, Dr. Horst Jörgens, Christian (until July 2011) (until August 2011) Consul General, Consulate General Head of the Science and Technology of the Federal Republic of Germany Section, Embassy of the Federal in New York Republic of Germany Noske, Andrea Streier, Dr. Eva-Maria (since September 2011) (since October 2011) Head of the Science and Technology Director, DFG Office North America / Section, Embassy of the Federal New York Republic of Germany Vögler, Dr. Max von Alvensleben, Busso (until October 2011) (since July 2011) Director, DFG Office North America / Consul General, Consulate General Washington of the Federal Republic of Germany in New York 10 GCRI Team The German Center for Research and Innovation was launched on February 19, 2010. Dr. Sebastian Fohrbeck, Director of DAAD North America, and Dr. Eva-Maria Streier, Director of the DFG New York Office, serve as GCRI’s Governing Directors. Halpern, Dr. Joann Director Main responsibilities: Strategic Planning Strategic Outreach Program Development Deierlein, Andrea Communications Officer Main responsibilities: GCRI Web and Social Media Presence E-NNOVATION GERMANY, GCRI’s Monthly Newsletter Public Relations & Marketing Shoemaker, Stephanie Program Officer Main responsibilities: Program Planning and Coordination Event Logistics Office Administration 11 GCRI Partner Institutions GCRI is under the joint leadership of the German Organizations which, in addition to DAAD and DFG, Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German also include the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Research Foundation (DFG), and is funded by the German the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the Helmholtz Association, Federal Foreign Office’s Research and Academic Relations the German Rectors’ Conference, the Max-Planck- Initiative. Additional designated partners are the Gesellschaft, the Leibniz Association, the German National Association of German Chambers of Industry and Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the German Council Commerce and the Alliance of German Science of Science and Humanities. Alexander von Humboldt Association of German Chambers Foundation of Industry and Commerce German Academic Exchange Service German Council of Science and Humanities Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft German Research Foundation Helmholtz Association German Rector’s Conference Max-Planck-Gesellschaft The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina Leibniz Association Advising And Advocacy Funding Research With offices located in the German House New York, GCRI works closely with the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in New York, DAAD, DFG, the German Academic International Network (GAIN) and the German Universities Liaison Offices in New York. 12 German Universities Liaison Offices in New York More than 25 individual German universities are collaboration between German universities and North represented either individually or within consortia at the American partners, enhancing student exchange, and German House New York. The German Universities Liaison increasing the numbers of international students and Offices were established with the support of DAAD. The faculty at German institutions of higher education to goals of these offices range from intensifying research building strong transatlantic alumni networks. 13 2011 Calendar of Events January Navigating a APRIL Transatlantic MAY Visualization 13 Technicolor World: 5