Crossing Borders the Volkswagen Foundation – Policies and Priorities 2005 3 Foreword Funding Initiatives

Crossing Borders The Volkswagen Foundation – Policies and Priorities 2005 3 Foreword Funding Initiatives

The Foundation in Brief 4 Mission and Concept 4 History 4 Capital 4 Board of Trustees 5 Office 5 Finance and Administration 5 Investment Management

Funding 6 Core Principles 6 Funding Concept 6 Funding Profile 8 Review and Decision

International Funding 9 Cooperation in Partnership 10 Objectives and Requirements 10 Information and Contact

Examples of Funding 12 Symmetric Partnerships to Reinforce African Research 18 Plumbing the Depths to the Very Core of Matter 24 Stone Testimony for Eternity 28 New Paths: For Academics as well as for Universities 32 Trapped in Subjective Perception 36 A Jewel on the Baltic 40 With the Tandem en Route to New Domains of Knowledge

The Foundation’s Funding Initiatives 50 Support of Persons and New Structures 53 International Focus 58 Thematic Impetus 63 Social and Cultural Challenges 67 Off the Beaten Track – Extraordinary Projects

69 Funding Principles

77 Who’s Who Funding Initiatives

Support of Persons and • Lichtenberg Professorships 50 New Structures • Focus on the Humanities 51

• Symposia and Summer Schools 52

International Focus • Knowledge for Tomorrow – Cooperative Research 53 Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa

• Between Europe and the Orient – A Focus on 55 Research and Higher Education in/on Central Asia and the Caucasus

• Unity amidst Variety? Intellectual Foundations and 56 Requirements for an Enlarged Europe

• Documentation of Endangered Languages 57

Thematic Impetus • Complex Materials: Cooperative Projects of the Natural, 58 Engineering and Biosciences

• Innovative Methods for Manufacturing 59 of Multifunctional Surfaces

• New Conceptual Approaches to Modeling 60 and Simulation of Complex Systems

• Interplay between Molecular Conformations 61 and Biological Function

• Evolutionary Biology 62

Social and Cultural Challenges • Future Issues of our Society – Analysis, Advice and 63 Communication between Academia and Practice

• Innovation Processes in Economy and Society 65

• Key Issues in the Humanities – Program for the 66 Promotion of Interdisciplinary and International Cooperation

Off the Beaten Track • Extraordinary Projects 67 Unless stated otherwise, the photos and pictures were kindly provided by the supported institutes.

Imprint Photography pages 3, 28, 40, 44, 45, 46, 47, 50, 57, Published by 59, 60, 66 center and bottom: VolkswagenStiftung, Klaus Siebahn, Güstrow Hannover, August 2005 pages 6, 7, 64: Agentur Bildschön, Claudia Buhmann, Berlin Editor pages 12, 14 bottom: Chris Photo- Beate Reinhold visuals Services, Accra (Ghana) page 20: Arbeitsgruppe Press and Public Relations Hochauflösende Optische Dr. Christian Jung Mikroskopie, Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysikalische Chemie, The articles on page 12 to 47 Göttingen were written in German by their page 21: Bielefeld-Marketing respective authors. GmbH, Bielefeld page 22 top: Wiener Bezirks- Translation: zeitung, Wien (Austria) Daniel Smith, Bremen pages 42, 63, 65, 67: dpa, picture- alliance, Frankfurt/Main Production page 51: Deutsches Literaturarchiv, Sponholtz Druckerei GmbH Marbach Hemmingen page 62: Blackwell Publishing page 66 top: das bilderwerk, Uwe Copyright VolkswagenStiftung, 2005 ISSN 1618-0577 Bellhäuser, Saarbrücken Foreword

To support communication and cooperation among researchers from different disciplines as well as different countries. To facilitate international exchanges and the creation of efficient and effective research collaborations. To make German academics more aware of intercultural differences and pressing issues discussed in other countries. And to enable foreign researchers, in particular from the less favored parts of the world, to participate in internationally competitive research endeavors. – These are the prime objectives of the Volkswagen Foundation in its internationally oriented funding initiatives. They are conceived in an interactive process between the Foun- dation and the respective communities with the intention of setting specific priorities, providing incentives, and generating targeted impulses. This ultimately applies just as much to the funding of basic research in Germany as to the support of international research.

As an autonomous institution, the Foundation is able to determine independently the areas where it chooses to act, and thus it is able to respond quickly to changing circumstances. Being aware of the responsibility this entails, the Volkswagen Foundation also Dr. Wilhelm Krull focuses its attention on the social demands and political expectations towards acade- Secretary General mia. The rapidly evolving global political and economic architecture creates numerous challenges for international cooperation in higher education and research. They call for greater flexibility and intercultural sensitivity. Ultimately it is only the ability to see beyond one’s own horizon, and to collaborate effectively beyond borders – be they national ones, or those set by academic disciplines or generational differences – that will result in the creation of new knowledge. The Foundation’s international grant- making precisely tries to achieve such mutual benefits by creating symmetric partnerships. First and foremost, this requires the ability to listen to local voices. Without local knowledge and a deep understanding of the issues and the corresponding research needs we will not succeed in providing adequate answers to crucial questions of our common future.

The ultimate goal of any funding initiative focusing on the less favored parts of the world must be to open up truly attractive career prospects for young researchers in their home countries. To break the vicious circle of brain drain, to empower the next generation with the confidence to chart its own future, and to maintain it in its local environment requires a long-term commitment. In the end all those involved will benefit from these new attempts at creating symmetric and sustainable partnerships, and from bringing the results of innovative research to other parts of the world. There- fore, we should be prepared to take risks, and courageously embark upon our expedi- tions into the territory of the hitherto unknown by crossing borders in every respect.

I hope that the initiatives and projects presented in this volume of “Crossing Borders” will show you that researchers funded by the Volkswagen Foundation are already pursuing the objectives outlined above. And I should very much like to invite you to develop your own concepts and to join us in such research endeavors. Together we will perhaps be able to achieve progress a little faster. It is certainly worth trying.

Crossing Borders 2005 3 The Foundation in Brief

Mission and Concept History

The purpose of the Volkswagen Foundation is to support The Volkswagen Foundation was founded by the Gov- the humanities and social sciences as well as science ernment of the Federal Republic of Germany and the and technology in higher education and research. Its State of Lower Saxony in 1961, when it was registered statutes also document its independent legal existence as a foundation incorporated under private law. It and its character as a non-profit organization. Since it started its operations in February 1962. started its activities in 1962 the Foundation has proved to be a dedicated and flexible funding partner. Auto- Following the end of World War II the ownership of the nomous and economically self-sufficient, it is com- Volkswagen Corporation was unclear. This situation pletely free to determine and develop the instruments was finally regulated by a treaty between the Federal it uses and the topics it decides to support. The Foun- Republic of Germany and the State of Lower Saxony dation’s funding concept is not static. This makes it which turned the automobile manufacturer into a possible to shift focus at any time, to take the initiative, joint stock company and fixed the establishment of a to provide sustainable impulses, and to be able to act science funding foundation. 60 percent of the share should support be needed for tackling urgent problems. capital of the Volkswagen Corporation was put into private hands by a special public offering, and the The Volkswagen Foundation is constantly reviewing Governments of Germany and Lower Saxony retained its funding portfolio in the interest of overriding objec- 20 percent each. The proceeds from this privatization tives. These include a preference for transdisciplinary (at that time 1,074 million German marks) together issues and approaches, support for young academics, with the profits accruing to those holdings provided and the reinforcement of international cooperation. the endowment of the newly founded Foundation. The Foundation also updates its funding offers in It is this to which the Volkswagen Foundation owes accordance with the developments and needs of its existence as well as its name. research, both in Germany and other regions of the world. It is in this spirit that the Foundation recently started initiatives to provide support within the Capital humanities and set up so-called Lichtenberg Profes- sorships. This is to provide outstanding scholars and Today the Foundation’s assets amount to 2.3 billion scientists, and in particular universities in Germany, euros. The funds used to provide the grants are drawn with an opportunity to develop their profile. Likewise, from earnings on investments, the Foundation’s capital the Foundation’s Africa initiative opens up new path- assets being invested so as to obtain the optimum ways for cooperation between researchers of the long-term yield. Earnings also accrue from returns on North and the South in symmetric partnerships. the VW shares held by the State of Lower Saxony, nominal value 77.3 million euros. There was a similar An average annual funding in the amount of some arrangement with the Federal Government of Ger- 100 million euros over recent years makes the Hanover- many;when it sold its shares in 1988, the Foundation based Volkswagen Foundation the most potent private received the proceeds amounting to 0.4 billion euros. research funding foundation in Germany. To date, the Foundation has allocated more than 3 billion euros to about 28,000 projects in Germany and all over the Board of Trustees world. The Board of Trustees governs the Foundation and decides on establishing funding initiatives and the allocation of funds. It comprises 14 eminent persons drawn from the domains of academia, politics, and

4 Crossing Borders 2005 industry (see page 82), of whom seven are appointed with requirements laid down in the Foundation’s by the Federal Government and seven by the State of statutes, this group also prepares the annual financial Lower Saxony. Their period of office is five years and statements for the Foundation’s auditors and ensures they can be reappointed for one further term. The the ongoing internal control of assets. Trustees are completely independent and responsible only to the Foundation’s statutes. The unit Auditing of Allocated Funds, Internal Admin- istration is responsible for the administration of the The Board usually convenes about three times a year to Foundation’s premises and its operations, thus main- decide on applications; between meetings there is a taining the infrastructure necessary to ensure the procedure in writing. The Board of Trustees is respon- smooth running of the office. It also ensures that the sible for the annual budget and the annual accounts, funds allocated have been used in accordance with the as well as the publication of the Foundation’s annual Foundation’s rules and regulations. report and appointment of the Secretary General. Since 1996 Dr. Wilhelm Krull has been the Secretary General The Human Resources unit sees itself as a service of the Volkswagen Foundation, functioning as its chief provider. The group is involved in the planning and executive officer. implementation of everything necessary to efficient staffing and supports the management in all matters regarding recruitment and the Foundation’s employ- Office ees.

Currently the Volkswagen Foundation has a staff of The group Information and Communication Systems is about 90, spread over four divisions: There are two responsible for the coordination and development of divisions dealing with the funding side, one for the the Foundation’s IT requirements. A total of 90 net- natural and engineering sciences, and one for the worked PC stations are linked to a mainframe com- humanities and social sciences (schedule of responsi- puter which runs the Foundation’s own program for bilities please see inside back cover), one division for the administration of all investment as well as funding finance and administration, and one division which processes. manages the Foundation’s assets. The staff working in these divisions prepare the propositions for the Board of Trustees and execute the Board’s decisions. Investment Management This involves the conceptualization and implementation of funding initiatives, processing applications, The Investment Management Division takes care of informing and advising the applicants, and monitoring the Foundation’s capital assets, currently 2.3 billion the funded projects from start to finish; in addition, the euros. Their task pursues two main objectives: One is funds have to be administered and checked to see that to ensure the sustained funding of research projects, they have been used correctly and efficiently for the the other is to maintain the real value of the Foun- immediate purpose for which they were allocated. dation’s capital in the face of inflationary pressure. This calls for investment not only in interest-bearing securities, but also in stocks and real estate. The invest- Finance and Administration ment strategy in these three main areas is based on the portfolio theory of risk diversification: the greater Administering the Foundation’s finances and budget- the spread and trade off between risks and opportuni- ing is a task for professional management. This is pro- ties, the greater the yield. vided by the Finance and Administration Division which amongst others takes care of the Foundation’s accounting and financial controlling. In accordance

Crossing Borders 2005 5 Funding

Core Principles Funding Concept

The Foundation’s support is available to the whole The Foundation sees itself as a partner involved ac- spectrum of academic disciplines: ranging from the tively in generating targeted impulses for the benefit humanities and social sciences, through the engineer- of the national and international research environment. ing and natural sciences, including bio-sciences and In pursuance of this goal it concentrates its support medicine. The Foundation allocates funding to cover on specific and carefully selected funding initiatives. personnel costs for both academic as well as non-aca- Overriding features of the Foundation’s funding demic staff, for equipment and running costs, for travel concept are the preference given to new and promis- expenses and for buildings. The Foundation is coming fields of research, interdisciplinary approaches, pletely autonomous and free to decide how its funds support for outstanding, in particular young scholars, are to be allocated, which projects it perceives to be boosts for international cooperation, close interrelation worthy of funding and whom it deems appropriate to between research, education and training as well be recipient of funds. The sole restriction is that this be as enhancement of the communication among in accordance with the Foundation’s statutes: thus, researchers and between academia and the public. funding is provided to academic institutions and not to individuals. All funding must be designated for a The funding initiatives also mirror a commitment to specific purpose and the Foundation must ensure that societal issues. Correspondingly, the scope of funding such purposes are extra-budgetary; i.e. that they in no is not oriented solely to the needs articulated by the way substitute or compensate the budget of the recipi- scientific community. The Foundation’s focus of atten- ent institution. tion is also on current developments and issues where the economy, politics and society look to academia to provide adequate solutions.

Funding Profile

The Foundation’s funding profile is reflected in the way its program is structured. The following contains a brief explanation of the categories under which funding initiatives are bundled according to area of investigation, target group or funding instrument. Readers will find an overview of these categories and corresponding initiatives on the front inside cover (updated information on the Foundation’s website: www.volkswagenstiftung.de). The individual funding initiatives are described in more detail following page 49.

With an inaugural lecture and performance Suzanne Anker from the Chair for Art History at the School of Visual Arts in New York opened the interdisciplinary symposium “Images in Science”, which was initiated by the Foundation. Also brain researcher Professor Wolf Singer, Frankfurt/Main, found intrigued listeners to hear his perspectives on the subject (see photo on p. 7).

6 Crossing Borders 2005 ● Support of Persons and New Structures

It is an important aim of the Volkswagen Foundation to generate impulses for the improvement of the structural necessities for and basic conditions of research and education, as well as scientific communication. This entails promoting excellence in higher education, making German universities internationally competitive and advancing them to the forefront. The initiatives under this heading aim above all at improving the opportunities for outstanding (young) academics and enabling discourse in new fields of research.

● International Focus

The international funding initiatives serve to promote international collaboration and the targeted support for institutions and projects outside Germany. In pur- and avenues of investigation. Support is made available suit of this particular objective the Foundation de- for the development and exploration of cutting edge velops specific funding instruments to fit the circum- theories, research paths, methods as well as interdis- stances in the various individual countries and regions ciplinary collaboration. concerned. They are aimed at securing workable cooperation with German academics and institutions, as in the case of the two funding initiatives involving Africa ● Social and Cultural Challenges as well as Central Asia and the Caucasus. In its work and scope of activities the Volkswagen Within the third initiative in this category, researchers Foundation is led not solely by the needs and develop- from Germany and countries all over the world – ments within the respective research community. mostly working in joint projects – are committed to Indeed, the Foundation perceives a compelling mission compiling documentations of endangered languages to respond precisely in areas where politics and on four continents. Also the initiative “Unity amidst administration, the economy and society seek orien- Variety?“ which focuses on research into the require- tation and support. An example for this is the initiative ments and foundations of an enlarged Europe calls “Future Issues of our Society”. On the basis of applied for an international perspective and crossborder research, this aims at stimulating and reorganizing cooperation. learning processes with the inclusion of science, politics and the public sphere. Cooperations aimed at creating more mutual understanding between research ● Thematic Impetus and the practice are encouraged. It is expected that this will result in learning and communication processes Under this heading the Foundation concentrates its which generate sustainable effects. efforts on basic research concerned with specific subjects and issues. The goal is to draw attention to new areas of research, subjects of investigation, and methodological approaches, thereby providing stimulus and support for exploring new research approaches

Crossing Borders 2005 7 ● Off the Beaten Track – Extraordinary Projects 2004, for instance, 215 researchers from foreign countries contributed their expertise – from a total of 729 The Foundation may also be interested in supporting expert opinions all told. The Foundation would like to exceptionally worthy projects which lie outside the thank all experts once again and points out that their scope of its current funding program. The aim is to reviews were rendered on an honorary basis. provide a forum for ideas and concepts which involve future-oriented issues and are capable of opening up Once an application has been approved, the allocated new perspectives by combining different disciplines funds are transferred to the recipient institution for and methodological approaches. However, this offer is it to administer. One of the conditions attached to open only to truly exceptional schemes. In order to be funding is that the Volkswagen Foundation receives successful, proposals must not only meet the highest an annual report on the development of the project in scientific demands. Applicants must also be able to addition to proper accounts, recording how the allo- show that their concept does not fit within the funding cated funds have been spent. scope of any other institution. Due to the exceptionally rigorous demands placed on such projects, applicants are advised in every case to first submit a draft proposal before embarking on a full-scale application.

● Niedersächsisches Vorab

The Foundation’s statutes prescribe that a certain part of the funds distributed by the Volkswagen Founda- tion must be made available to scientific institutions With its funding initiative “Knowledge for Tomorrow” the Foundation located in the State of Lower Saxony. The Board of aims at providing sustainable support for higher education and research Trustees decides on the allocation of these grants in Sub-Saharan Africa. One of the first workshops was held at Mweya (called Niedersächsisches Vorab) acting on recommen- Lodge, Uganda, on the use of violence. Among the participants joining dations made by the Lower Saxony State Government. the debate: Patricia Lamaro Onyut, Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu, Dr. Umesh Bawa, Dr. Klaus Schlichte and Professor Amadu Sesay (bottom, from left) and Oluseye Babatunde with Dr. Detlef Hanne (photo p. 9, Review and Decision right) from the Foundation. The fascinating wildlife of Uganda that roams the Queen Elizabeth National Park was never far away from the The Volkswagen Foundation is committed to the prin- workshop venue. ciples of peer review. It usually asks several external experts to review proposals prior to any final decision being made. There is no permanent stock of experts, but, depending on the subject and the structure of the proposal, the Foundation seeks expert opinions from different disciplines, universities and institutes, also from the non-university sector and from abroad. If deemed appropriate the applications are submitted for review by a panel of experts. The Foundation mostly convenes such meetings of experts when it seems advisable to initiate a direct discourse between experts from different disciplines – due to the interdisciplinar- ity of the subject involved, for instance. In the year

8 Crossing Borders 2005 International Funding

Cooperation in Partnership pertinent research issues and to work out the possibilities and instruments for cooperation – also between Those of the Foundation’s funding initiatives that inner-African research institutions. On the basis of have an international orientation pursue two main these results the Foundation subsequently develops objectives. One aim is to build up and reinforce research thematically defined calls for proposals that suit the infrastructure and to enhance scholarly qualifications specific needs as well as the potentials of African in the regions concerned. The Foundation also seeks to researchers. draw the attention of German academics to specific international research topics. In both cases, an impor- Capacity building in Sub-Saharan Africa shall not tant aspect is to encourage symmetric partnerships merely entail support for mutual projects, but also between German researchers and their counterparts provide targeted support for junior researchers and in other countries. the development or expansion of networks in Africa south of the Sahara. The new African generation of What has always been true for the relationship academics should be given the opportunities and between developed and developing societies is par- adequate incentives to pursue their future careers in ticularly pronounced in the relationship between Euro- their home countries. This would ease brain drain and pean and African research: all too often in the past ensure that the regions keep their most valuable the field of research has revealed an imbalanced and expertise to their own benefit. unfair sharing of responsibilities, as well as participation in success. Sometimes one could even not help Likewise, cooperation in partnership plays an impor- having an impression of “scientific and educational tant role in the Foundation’s funding initiative aimed colonialism”. at enhancing the conditions for research and education in Central Asia/Caucasus. Here, too, the aim is The Foundation therefore places special importance especially to support junior academics in the region; on ensuring an equitable involvement of the African for instance, by promoting research in close coopera- scientists and scholars who participate in the funding tion with German colleagues, by guest stays at initiative “Knowledge for Tomorrow. Cooperative German research facilities, and by infrastructural Research Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa”, which schemes that encompass academic teaching projects started in 2003. The Foundation seeks to achieve this or special programs of training and further education. goal by organizing thematic workshops in Africa at A further aim of the initiative is to direct the attention which German and African researchers are given the of German researchers to the region: by means of fun- opportunity to review the status of research, to define ding projects that put a focus on the political, socio-

Crossing Borders 2005 9 economic, cultural, or also the natural conditions of Information and Contact countries in the region. Applicants in Germany and from abroad should first The “Documentation of Endangered Languages” is obtain updates on the Foundation’s funding initiatives another funding initiative with an international orien- before submitting their proposals. There are no stan- tation. Here, too, cooperation in partnership, support dard application forms, but for each funding initiative for junior academics and the international exchange of there is a leaflet called “Information for Applicants”, ideas are all important components. Also research into containing detailed information on the topic area and issues and problems of an enlarged Europe cannot be objectives, together with a list of pertinent require- restricted to a national scale. Consequently, support for ments. Should any questions be left unanswered by projects under the initiative “Unity amidst Variety? the “Information for Applicants”, the applicant may Intellectual Foundations and Requirements for an contact the person responsible for the particular Enlarged Europe” can only be provided if close coopera- funding initiative. tion between German scholars and partners in other countries, in particular eastern Europe, is involved. The quickest way to obtain up-to-date information about the various funding initiatives is to consult the Since its funding profile is being constantly amended, homepage www.volkswagenstiftung.de. There you the Foundation recommends readers from abroad to will find the current English versions of “Information obtain updates either from the Internet or by contact- for Applicants” for all funding initiatives open to aca- ing the office in Hanover. This refers especially to the demics from abroad. The Foundation’s website is the changing calls for proposals in the framework of first address for all those interested in the Foundation certain initiatives. and its funding possibilities.

There is also a lot of printed information available Objectives and Requirements about the Foundation, its funding initiatives and the way it works: The relevant “Information for Applicants” There are varying requirements attached to the partic- on the individual funding initiatives and the leaflet ipation of scholars from outside Germany in the Foun- “Basic Information” as well as the detailed “Jahresbe- dation’s funding initiatives. Whereas the initiatives richt” (annual report in German) which will be sent under its “international focus” are aimed solely at fos- on request. Starting on page 50, this brochure, too, tering international cooperation and exchange, appli- contains brief descriptions of all current (May 2005) cations within the other categories must explain the funding initiatives. The program managers would necessity for cooperation between German and also be pleased to answer any queries you may have foreign scholars and give details on the planned collab- concerning the funding initiatives they are responsible oration. The pivotal criterion is the “surplus value” to for. More general inquiries should be addressed to the be expected from the joint project, i.e. the supposed Foundation either by post or by e-mail: gain in knowledge. VolkswagenStiftung The interdisciplinary approach prescribed by some of Kastanienallee 35 the funding initiatives has the supplementary effect 30519 Hannover, Germany that research groups within Germany seek partners in other countries more frequently. The nature of the [email protected] proposed collaboration must be agreed upon by the participating groups prior to their submitting applications.

10 Crossing Borders 2005 Examples of Funding

On the following pages the reader will find seven examples of the Founda- tion’s funding activities. These are but a few of the many projects that are being supported by the Foundation in a variety of fields. The subsequent articles underline the diversity of the funded projects. They also reflect the basic objectives of the Foundation’s funding portfolio: encouragement to interdisciplinary approaches, opening of new paths for international cooperation, and support of young academics.

The projects described focus on collaboration of African and German researchers (Symmetric Partnerships), basic research that touches the limits of the measurable (Plumbing the Depths), the international exchange of scholars (Stone Testimony), promotion of young academics (New Paths, With the Tandem en Route), and the backing of research and higher education in foreign countries (Trapped in Subjective Perception, A Jewel on The Baltic). Symmetric Partnerships to Reinforce African Research

The forward-looking funding initiative “Knowledge for Tomorrow” is breaking new ground: The new generation of academics receives support to face up to international competition

The main objective pursued by the The term “10 / 90 gap”, a dramatic numerical example taken from the field Volkswagen Foundation’s funding of medical research, demonstrates just how important it is that research initiative entitled “Knowledge for in Africa does receive additional support. The facts behind the numbers Tomorrow – Cooperative Research reveal that less than ten percent of total global expenditure on medical Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa” research goes towards alleviating the burden of disease that affects more is to provide reinforcement and than 90 percent of the world’s population, of whom the most seriously sustainable support for higher affected live in the southern hemisphere. To quote another example: Of education and research in Africa the 1,233 new drugs that came onto the market between 1977 and 1999, south of the Sahara. Projects jointly fewer than 13 medicaments were intended for the treatment of tropical developed and carried out by diseases. African researchers in collaboration with German partners shall open “The ‘North’ continues to dominate in these fields of research, and the up opportunities for scholars and cooperation that does take place with counterparts in the ‘South’ is often scientists in the region to attain far removed from true partnership. Not to speak of the chances for young higher qualifications. To build a scholars there”, Dr. Thomas Junghanss expresses his concern, criticizing base for symmetric partnerships in that research findings all too seldom and far too slowly find their way into research, the Foundation initially the healthcare made available to the population of the ‘South’. Junghanss organizes thematic workshops in is leader of the section Clinical Tropical Medicine within the Department Africa where academics from the of Tropical Hygiene and Public Health at the University Clinic of Heidel- South and the North gather to berg. Together with his African colleague, Professor Fred Binka from the discuss the research needs and Institute for Public Health at the University of Ghana in Legon, in April identify common goals. 2004 he organized and chaired the workshop “Communicable Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa – from the African Bench to the Field”. The workshop was initiated by the Volkswagen Foundation and took place in Accra, Ghana.

Our photo shows participants of the meeting held in Accra on the subject of enhancing cooperation in “North-South” health research. African and German scientists are jointly working toward a sustainable reinforcement of research in Sub-Saharan Africa.

12 Crossing Borders 2005 Research in tropical medicine and healthcare in Ghana receives considerable improvement from the Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research (bottom photo). The opening cere- mony attracted a number of VIPs: Among This and three additional workshops, held in Africa in 2004, lent momen- them an envoy of the Ashanti King (under tum to the Foundation’s new funding initiative “Knowledge for Tomorrow”. the baldachin) and the German Ambassador, The spectrum ranges from the humanities and social sciences, the engi- Peter Lindner (left). neering and natural sciences, up to and including medical science. The aim: To contribute to the international competitiveness of ‘research made in Africa’, and to address problems crucial to the future development of African societies – whilst taking optimal advantage of local conditions and assets. One of the initiative’s central objectives is to open up long-term career perspectives for talented young African scientists and scholars.

In customizing this funding initiative especially to fit the needs of Sub- Saharan Africa, the Volkswagen Foundation is breaking new ground – drawing on its considerable past experience of “North-South-Funding” in Africa (and in Asia and Latin America, too). For instance, within the frame of its effective “Partnership Program” that ran between 1980 and 2003 the Foundation provided a total of five million euros to support 120 projects in 24 African countries. There were also a number of successful projects carried out in addition to the Partnership Program. One of these involved scientists at the Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine in Ham- burg, who began an intensive collaboration with their counterparts in Guinea and Ghana, where the Kumasi Center has been established in new premises. And in Point Sud, a small center for research and teaching in the capital of Mali, Bamako, funding was provided to collect and utilize local knowledge. In this case, European scholars are able to benefit from the specific local knowledge of agriculture rooted in an African region. Young African scholars, for their part, receive a sound additional training in the methods of anthropological and sociological sciences.

Active participation of African scholars and scientists

Thus, the new Africa initiative follows in the tradition of earlier successful Foundation activities – and yet it has an expanded perspective. It stands out due to its forward-looking concept: Already during the preparatory phase, comprehensive discussions were set up with representatives of a number of African universities and research facilities. This was done in order both to analyze the funding requirement, as well as to work out a general thematically open concept. An indispensable basis for the subsequent calls for proposals is provided by thematic workshops held in Africa to ensure the participation of African scientists and scholars, during which mutual discussion and consultation take place on the potential research. This guarantees the active contribution of African colleagues toward determining the future research topics and objectives.

For many years, ever since they first met at the Tropical Institute in Basel, the two doctors and scholars Fred Binka and Thomas Junghanss have been

Crossing Borders 2005 13 petitioning for more equity concerning collaboration in the field of medical research: “We’re therefore thrilled that the Volkswagen Foundation has been so receptive for this highly topical crucial issue.” Both have been pleading for adherence to the “Checklist for Cooperative Research”, published in 1989 by the “Swiss Commission on Research Partnership with Only ten percent of global expenditure on Developing Countries”. Trusting collaboration to promote reciprocity in medical research goes on combating the research unfortunately cannot be taken for granted in the countries of the diseases that affect 90 percent of the world’s Southern Hemisphere. Right up to the present time, semi-colonial research population. Staff from the Bernhard-Nocht- models are prevalent in the countries of the “South”. The two scientists Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg are claim that some scholars from the “North” virtually annex whole research helping local colleagues provide patients with centers located in the “South” with the sole selfish view of furthering their antibiotics against river blindness. own scientific careers.

“Communicable Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa”

At the Foundation’s workshop in Accra, another critic, Professor Dr. Wen L. Kilama from the African Malaria Network Trust in Dar es Salam, pointed to a widespread malpractice of “North-South-Research” in the field of bio- medicine: “All too often, the test persons are neither informed adequately, nor in a way they can easily understand, about the motives and purpose of their participation in such studies”, he admonishes. Professional ethics are often grossly abused. In a deliberately provocative manner, Kilama New concepts for health research: Dr. Wilhelm asks: “Do the people who enable us to carry out our research experiments Krull (left), Secretary General of the Volks- in their villages benefit from the knowledge we gain?” – The answer is wagen Foundation, and Dr. Thomas Jung- “No”, he declares self-critically. “We just say ‘thank you, goodbye’ – and hanss, Head of the Section for Clinical Tropical that was that – because we are usually too caught up in pursuing our own Medicine at the University Clinic, Heidelberg, careers.” The findings that result from this type of questionable research seen here talking with Professor Fred Binka: subsequently appear in papers for scientific journals and conferences, He is Director of the INDEPTH network in “but nothing happens locally, nothing stays behind that could help solve Accra and works at the Institute for Public the problems”, Junghanss bemoans and carries on: “What we are always Health at the University of Ghana in Legon. inclined to forget, and what Kilama so vividly reminds us of, are the sensi- tivities of the people, the researchers and the scientific institutions in the countries of the South.”

It is necessary that the research carried out in these countries delivers answers to the vital issues affecting the people there. Especially in the field of medicine, this translates into ‘research meeting the needs’: Words not gladly heard in many academic institutions of the “North”, since they stir fears concerning the freedom of research. Kilama, though, is adamant: “The Sub-Saharan countries simply cannot afford such a freedom-of- research concept. Not when year by year several million people perish from causes that can be avoided; two million children from malaria alone.” It was in this spirit that the workshop in Accra elaborated on the general theme “Communicable Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa – from the African Bench to the Field”.

14 Crossing Borders 2005 What lies behind this title? In Africa, infectious diseases remain the A farewell meal at a vineyard to mark the end number one health hazard. The scientists who took part in the Accra of the workshop held at the University of workshop identified the following relevant issues: The development of Western Cape, Cape Town: (from left) Dr. Antje new molecular-biological tools in the surveillance and management of Gunsenheimer from the Volkswagen Foun- communicable diseases and their translation into clinical practice, dation, together with Katja Serova M.A. and together with research into previously neglected infectious diseases. It Professor Wilhelm Löwenstein from Bochum was concurred that young scholars be integrated in the research and University. possibilities created locally for them to attain higher qualifications.

The intention of the organizers was to provide the workshop with an African backbone and to enable African colleagues to lead the debate. Well over half the 50 speakers were Africans, including important representatives from seven renowned health research centers spread all over the continent, from Burkina Faso to Ghana and Gabon, Tanzania and Malawi. It was a meeting of fellow scholars who have been sharing a common idea for many years, i.e. that of bolstering a fair “North-South- Cooperation”, whilst reinforcing “South-South-Networks”.

“Political, Economic and Social Dynamics”

The objective of honest partnership in research also formed the backdrop to the thematic workshop entitled “Political, Economic and Social Dyna- mics in Sub-Saharan Africa”, which was held at the University of the Western Cape near Cape Town, South Africa. The workshop was attended by political scientists, jurists, sociologists, ethnologists, economists and human geographers from twenty universities in eleven African states and from Germany. The debate surrounded the political dynamics in Sub- As our picture shows, lots of lively discussion Saharan Africa: These are to be seen as an interplay between political, on the subject of future cooperation between social, economic, cultural and religious factors and developments. “African African and German research workers and and German scholars covered the whole range of change in Africa, from their institutions characterized the meetings. economic reform, through issues of democratization, up to the impact of poverty and aids on the social structure”, explains Dr. Wilhelm Löwen- stein, Director of the Institute for Development Research and Development Policy at Ruhr University, Bochum, one of the workshop coordinators.

The discussion focused on the specific conditions under which in the Afri- can context societal orders evolve, exist, survive – or break up. “Participants perceived future research inter alia in the role and influence of institutions and actors on political and other orders, as well as in the interplay between political, social and cultural systems”, explains Dr. Elisio Macamo, development sociologist at Bayreuth University. Löwenstein adds: “Right at the top of the agenda of an economically oriented development research is the need to investigate the social effects of poverty on economic growth at national, regional and local levels.” Thus, one topic for research that offers itself is an inquiry into empowerment strategies, on the one hand, and

Crossing Borders 2005 15 traditional and modern systems of social security on the other. Their stability in times of natural or anthropogenic crises and catastrophes is of vital importance for poor and, hence, easily “vulnerable” social groups. Research into the stability and adaptability of social systems was subsequently included as an additional research focus in the Foundation’s call for proposals on political, economic and social dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Resources, their Dynamics and Sustainability”

Enthusiastic speakers like Professor Amadu In the midst of September 2004 the Foundation invited 44 scientists Sesay (top) and Patience Lamaro Onyut from Africa and Europe to Nanyuki, Kenia, for the third workshop, this (center) captivate their audience during the time touching the topic “Resources, their Dynamics and Sustainability – workshop on causes of violent conflicts and Capacity-Development in Comparative and Integrated Approaches”. coping strategies: Professor Thomas Elbert, The meeting was coordinated by CETRAD, the Centre for Training and Konstanz, Professor Jonathan Baranga and Dr. Integrated Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Development in Nanyuki, Antje Gunsenheimer, program manager from in cooperation with the Geographical Institute of the University of Bonn. Volkswagen Foundation (bottom, from left). Discussions addressed the issues of land, water and biological resources as well as regenerative energy for small households. All participants were in agreement that research on resources and their sustainability has to deal with the specific urgent problems and needs in Africa, involving the relevant stakeholders, e.g. farmers and local politicians. In addition it was advised to follow interdisciplinary, integrative and comparative research methods while working on these issues.

“Violence, its Impact and Coping Strategies”

Also in September 2004, the Foundation gathered philosophers, sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists and political scientists at Mweya Lodge in the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda in order to talk about the contribution of research to understand “Violence, its Impact and Coping Strategies” in the African context. This fourth workshop was organized by the Mbarara University of Science and Technology and VIVO e.V. (both in Uganda) and the Institute of Psychology, University of Kons- tanz, Germany. Contributions and subsequent discussions covered the root causes of violent conflicts and their perpetuation, the merging of factors and actors. However, considerations were not limited to looking only on the disaster side. Several scholars presented their research on traditional coping strategies and their current use and effectiveness in different African regions while others discussed the spread of the South African model of Truth and Reconciliation Commissions into other countries. Thus, the group reflected on the whole circle of emergence of violence, its perpetuation and strategies to break those vicious cycles. Again, as in all previous workshops, the identification of research topics resulted in a call

16 Crossing Borders 2005 for proposals which will be repeated regularly. However, the Foundation’s engagement in the support of research in the African context is not limited to the four thematic scopes defined in 2004. Further research areas are taken into consideration by continuing the series of workshops.

The workshops held near Cape Town, in Accra, Nairobi and Mweya proposed answers to many of the questions surrounding future “South- North-Cooperation”. A forward-looking platform was created, providing scholars and scientists of the “South” and the “North” with an opportunity to discuss mutually shared aims, but also to focus on the ensuing obstacles to be overcome. This series of workshops and the calls for proposals they have given rise to thus represent a significant advance over the conven- tional offers one has come to expect from other funding institutions. In particular, one fundamental issue is being addressed for the first time, i.e. that of achieving symmetric cooperation in research between unequal partners who dispose of highly disparate access to those resources that make the research possible in the first place. One may justifiably await the outcome with some excitement. The first projects belonging to the African initiative are due to start about half way through 2005.

Expanded version based on a text by Burkhard Junghanss During the meeting “Towards a West African Science Logistics Center in Cape Verde” scientists and students could take part in a training course on board the research vessel Poseidon. The samples taken at sea were examined and evaluated in the vessel’s own laboratory.

Towards a West African Science Logistics Center in Cape Verde

In the wake of scientific demand, the Foundation Mauritius, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia and Guinea, the also offers support for other workshops and sum- USA and the Azores took part in a lively discussion mer schools in addition to the thematic workshops. on some of the most significant marine subject These meetings can also give rise to interesting areas. These included climate, geology, fishing, new thematic fields. One of these events took place atmosphere research, marine ecology and ocean- in June 2004 on the Cape Verde Islands. The initia- ography. During the three-day meeting arrangements tor was Professor Dr. Douglas Wallace of the Leibniz were made concerning future research cooperation Institute for Marine Sciences at Kiel University between IFM-GEOMAR, the Max Planck Institute (IFM-GEOMAR). Following a training course on for Biochemistry in Jena, and a number of scientific board the research vessel Poseidon, also attended institutions on the Cape Verde Islands. The long- by a dozen students from the local National Insti- term aim is to set up a logistics and research center tute of Applied Marine Sciences (ISECMAR), some on the Cape Verde Islands in the service of scientific 60 participants from Germany, Cape Verde, Senegal, activities in the region of West Africa.

Crossing Borders 2005 17

Plumbing the Depths to the Very Core of Matter

Lasers take us into new dimensions. The Foundation supports projects for measuring techniques at the ultimate limit

Standing in front of the typically chaotic jumble of tubes, cables and equipment shielded with aluminum foil, you would hardly think that this is a way of getting closer to the “very core” of matter. But this is indeed the case. The dimensions into which Professor Ulrich Heinzmann, Chair of Physics of Molecules and Surfaces at the University of Bielefeld, sends his visitors are simply staggering. We are talking about time, or to be more precise: about the shortest intervals of time which have ever been available to us. Comparing a time interval of this magnitude, just 250 attoseconds, to a full second of time is like comparing a minute to the age of the universe. A comparison which takes some time to sink in. It states nothing less than the fact that a fictional being, for whom the creation and decay of galaxies occur in the twinkling of an eye, can use a “time zoom“ like this to watch if we have hard or soft-boiled eggs for breakfast.

The Bielefeld time zoom is directed at intervals of attoseconds. In 150 attoseconds, i.e. 0.00000000000000015 seconds, an electron orbits the nucleus of its atom once; in 100 attoseconds light travels 30 nanometers, i.e. 30 billionths of a meter. This is the temporal plumbing of the depths to the very core of matter – in a manner of speaking.

The Volkswagen Foundation is supporting this project to develop the “world’s fastest stopwatch”, which is being built by a joint team of Professor Stefan Hell (photo left) uses laser researchers from the University of Bielefeld, the Max Planck Institute of beams in order to zoom into ever smaller Quantum Optics in Garching, and the Vienna University of Technology, microscopic dimensions. Dr. Lars Kastrup by providing around 571,000 euros of funding. The limits of the measur- (right) and Dr. Volker Westphal assist him at able are being pushed further. The same applies to the work of Professor the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Stefan Hell of the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Chemistry in Göttingen. Göttingen whose project, for which the Foundation provided funds amounting to some 430,000 euros, has just been completed. Hell has led optical microscopy into new dimensions.

Award-winning microscopy pioneer

Even at the outset of his career, Stefan Hell, 41, was breaking through boundaries. He dared to call into question “Abbe’s limit of optical resolution”, which had appeared in every physics text book for over a hundred years. The problem: visible light has a wavelength of around 400-700 nanometers, the exact value depending on its color. If two objects are less than half a wavelength apart, even the best optical microscope cannot visibly distinguish between them. However, in the field of biology this is precisely what we want to do – use light to image structures and details smaller than 200 nanometers. This is because visible light enables us to gain an insight into living cells, whereas electron beams, X-rays or scan- ning force microscopy either are too energetic, simply scan the surface, or operate under conditions which no cell can withstand.

Crossing Borders 2005 19 Three years ago, when the Volkswagen Foundation accepted Hell’s project into the now terminated funding initiative “Physics, Chemistry and Biolo- gy with Single Molecules”, he had already won prizes for his initial findings. At the same time, Hell was offered several chairs at other universities: the reward for all the hard slog. The physicist, by now a member of the board of directors of the Max Planck Institute in Göttingen, succeeded in convincing the Foundation with his idea to try out his theory on single molecules. Why single molecules?

“Firstly,” says Hell, “single molecules are a good way of testing whether the principle of our new microscope operates exactly as we think it does.” The principle goes something like this: a laser beam is used to transfer a single fluorescing molecule into an excited state. In this state it vibrates briefly, collides with its neighbor and thus loses a little energy, falling back into a slightly lower state. Normally, it fluoresces from this point. And it is precisely this which Hell and his team prevent, gently but firmly, with a second laser beam and a trick which was first recognized by Einstein – with “stimulated emission”: a second laser beam forces the molecule back into the ground state before it has the chance to fluoresce. If the physicists now shorten the time between the two pulses of light more and more, while at the same time checking when the second pulse of light finds the molecule in a state in which it is not yet ready to fluoresce – because it is still vibrating in its upper intermediate state – they learn not only how each individual molecule vibrates. They can also show that it is possible to use light to deliberately switch a molecule of this type on or off. By keeping the pulses very short, it is possible to measure the vibration of individual molecules extremely accurately. The experiments are pro- tracted, however, because the super short pulses have, at the same time, STED, Stimulated Emission Depletion, is the to be extremely intense and they often destroy the molecules. name given to the procedure by which organic molecules can be used to measure the spatial By contrast, if one wants only to switch on or off, it is also possible to resolution of the new microscope (figure top). use longer laser pulses – and to obtain really spectacular results. “Single The picture beneath depicts single fluorescing molecules are the best test objects if we want to measure the spatial reso- molecules embedded in a polymer matrix, lution of our new microscopes,” is how Hell explains a second aspect of imaged with a confocal fluorescence micro- his single-molecule experiments. He presents a graphic comparison for scope. The dark stripes within the fluorescence his microscope, which operates on the principle of “stimulated emission spots correspond with the periods of depletion depletion” (STED): a doughnut. The pulse of light which excites the mole- by stimulated emission. cule is limited spatially to the middle of the ring. The other pulse of light forms a ring (i.e. a doughnut) around this center – it can force a molecule to de-excite itself. This arrangement is used to scan a sample on which individual fluorescence molecules are arranged. If the de-excitation pulse is now made strong enough, the molecules on the fringe of the doughnut hole are also forced to de-excite.

As result of the experiments, the hole in the middle in which a molecule can still fluoresce and hence become visible, is becoming narrower and

20 Crossing Borders 2005 narrower. Hell and his colleagues Dr. Volker Westphal and Dr. Lars Kastrup have achieved 16 nanometers resolution. “That beats everything to date,” states Hell – and indeed: the resolution of the optical system demonstrated here undercuts the Abbe limit by a factor of 15.

And if that wasn’t enough, there is – thirdly – a further extra: for the first time, the team has been able to determine the absolute cross-sections of The research conducted by Professor Ulrich individual molecules. A cross-section can be thought of as the capture area Heinzmann (third from right) and his work- of the molecules for photons. To know the absolute values of these cross- group at Bielefeld University focuses on sections – that is like having a calibration for the individual measurement unbelievably short time intervals. The team of molecules. in the laboratory: Dr. Ulf Kleineberg, Andreas Wonisch, Thorsten Uphues, Professor Nikolay Kabachnik, Dr. Wiebke Hachmann, Dr. Markus And where has the time gone? Drescher (now Professor at Hamburg University), Dr. Thomas Westerwalbesloh The Bielefeld team, too, are interested in small things. There is one ques- (from left). tion to be answered here: what about quantum physics? It is not the first time that Ulrich Heinzmann has had to answer this question. After all, the attosecond stopwatch is associated here with “electron orbitals”, and electrons belong to the world in which the smallest things are to be found. They should behave according to the laws of quantum physics and not move in classical orbits. Heinzmann has been waiting for this question; it is aimed at a further boundary which his experiments touch on. After all, if it is possible to make temporal processes on the scale of the quantum world visible, this naturally leads on to the necessity of dealing with the consequences.

Take the photoelectric effect, to name but one example; the quantum mechanical effect whereby radiation above a certain frequency can knock electrons out of the electron shell. An effect which is learnt at school and

The Bielefeld researchers had to develop their own high vacuum facility in order to produce the attosecond-X-ray mirrors needed for their experiments.

Crossing Borders 2005 21 which Heinzmann has already presented innumerable times in his lectures. He now asks himself the question as to what the influence of time is in this process – a question which no one has yet been able to answer to his satisfaction. The reason is that when we talk of radiation with a firmly defined frequency, this automatically means that this wave must have an infinite temporal spread. It is obvious that the beam – or the photon – “ends”, however, at the precise moment at which the electron is knocked out of the atom.

The conclusion that Professor Heinzmann draws from his considerations is remarkable. He says that at the very moment that the single (molecular) processes and their temporal development are measured, one leaves the quantum statistical observation platform of closed systems and hence “the intact world of physics.”“It could be,” he suspects, “that quantum mechanics is coming up against its own limits here.” He is convinced that the temporal dynamics which is visible on this scale for the first time still holds real surprises about the nature of things.

The transition from an ultra-high vacuum system wrapped in aluminum foil to such conclusions is anything but trivial, however. The main problem: an optical laser cannot provide the short flashes of light which are necessary – even one single wavelength would be longer than the desired “flash length”. Heinzmann and his colleagues in Bielefeld Dr. Markus Young scientists visiting the laboratory run Drescher, now professor at the University of Hamburg, and Dr. Ulf Klei- by Professor Ferenc Krausz (top) at the Vienna neberg therefore use a trick. What the physicists actually do is to first University of Technology: Thorsten Uphues direct an extremely powerful infrared laser pulse onto matter where it from Bielefeld University (left) with Matthias ejects electrons. These oscillate backwards and forwards in the strong field Uiberacker and Eleftherios Goulielmakis, of the light pulses, colliding over and over again with the atomic nuclei both affiliated with Vienna University of and thus emitting “overtones” – flashes of light with frequencies which Technology and Max Planck Institute for are a multiple of the original frequency, up to the X-ray region. Pulses of Quantum Optics in Garching (center and soft X-rays have higher energies and shorter wavelengths and are there- right). fore of shorter duration than visible light, but unfortunately much more difficult to deal with. They require vacuum conditions, for example, because they are absorbed even by air.

For this experiment, it is important that the phase of the light field in the short infrared pulse remains absolutely stable over time and that it is set to a definite value. Those cooperating with the team in Bielefeld, the laser experts working with Professor Ferenc Krausz from the Max Planck Insti- tute for Quantum Optics in Garching and from the Technical University in Vienna are able to achieve both of these requirements. Ultimately, the aim is to open the mini time-window with one of the X-ray pulses, to delay it deliberately – in order to then close it again. This is easy to say. It is, however, a real challenge if you want to control ultrashort pulses of X- rays in an experiment at the limit of temporal and hence also spatial resolution.

22 Crossing Borders 2005 To this end, the team in Bielefeld is developing multilayer mirrors – “chirped“ is the name they give them. Around 60 layers of different material, each around one nanometer thin, are arranged in an aperiodic stack so that all frequency components of the pulse are reflected with the correct phase. The shorter a pulse, the more frequencies it contains – and the X-ray pulse to be used here is indeed very short! The correct derivation of the layer sequence and thickness doesn’t represent the only problem here. It is also a challenge to manufacture layers with an accuracy of 0.1 nanometers precisely, and to stack them. A fascinating goal comes within reach: shortening the measuring time to 100 attoseconds; the ability to see more accurately what the electron in its orbits is up to. The Vienna scientists are assisting their cooperation partners from Bielefeld with But even this is not the end of the scientific curiosity. Besides all the basic their femtosecond laser source, which was knowledge which the new temporal-spatial insights into molecules and the first to transmit highly-intensive phase atoms provide, besides the best prospects which optical microscopy in the stable pulses of light lasting just a few range of a few nanometers promises the biological scientists, it is natural femtoseconds. Bottom photo: Fluorescing that people pose the classic, technically-oriented question – “what is it neon gas is visible, escaping from a cell in good for?” which neon atoms are exposed to a highly intensive laser beam (from the source above) One mainspring of the Bielefeld experiments is EUV lithography, Extreme and thereby emitting laser-like, directed, Ultraviolet Lithography. This is the name of the method currently used to extreme ultra-violet light with pulses lasting “write” microprocessor chips. Extreme ultraviolet radiation – or soft X-rays attoseconds. – translates the circuit pattern into minute dimensions, so that over 40 million transistors fit onto one Pentium-4 processor. The shorter the wavelength, the smaller the structures can be, the higher the number of transistors which fit onto the chip, the faster the computer. When Stefan Hell looks into the distant future, he can nevertheless envisage photooptical methods which are much easier to use than the X-ray methods. After all, strictly speaking, the law which states that the wavelength must get smaller if the structure is to become smaller does not hold in every case. Hell has just overcome this constraint.

Julia Förster

Crossing Borders 2005 23 Doing the splits in the service of research: Taking rubbings from the huge stone engravings requires considerable physical effort. Stone Testimony for Eternity

A Symposium at the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences on inscriptions found in China

Some spectacular finds have been brought to light in China over the The funding initiative for “Symposia past decades: In caves and remote valleys, researchers discovered ancient and Summer Schools” is the Founda- inscriptions hewn by Buddhist monks onto natural rock faces or onto tion’s oldest. It is a lasting truth, stone tablets, some up to one and a half thousand years old. So-called even in times of modern communi- sutras in characters up to three meters high and four meters wide relate cation technologies, that direct the Word of Buddha, the enlightened-one. In contrast to today’s rapid exchange between scholars and sci- communication by way of E-mail and SMS, these ancient writings were entists is absolutely vital for the meant “for eternity” – in a dual sense of the word. Not only because stone development of new ideas and col- survives the millennia, but also because the monks deliberately intended laboration across disciplinary their testimony to last an eternity. Preserving the scriptures in stone was borders. Events funded under this to guard against them being forgotten, against the collective memory initiative are intended to promote being erased – and this task was executed in a monumentality and variety discussion on new ideas and the that puts all previously discovered testimony to Buddhist epigraphy in the exchange of information on themes shade. These inscriptions were the subject of a symposium supported by and methods not yet dealt with in the Volkswagen Foundation and headed by Professor Lothar Ledderose of this form. Such meetings are to take the East-Asian Section at the Institute for Art History, Heidelberg Univer- place in an interdisciplinary and sity. The symposium was organized jointly with German, Chinese, Japan- international context, and are above ese and American experts in the Academy of Sciences at Heidelberg. Vera all to include the active participa- Szöllösi-Brenig spoke with Professor Ledderose. tion of young scholars and scientists. The symposium presented here is a prime example. Professor Ledderose, what do cultural historians find so special about these stone inscriptions in China?

Ledderose: The inscribed stones that were found in remote valleys and mountain caves in China contain three kinds of information simultane- ously: First, there is the actual text, the record of Buddha’s teachings, that naturally is of interest for scholars of religious science. Second, there are the so-called colophons. These are the subsidiary inscriptions that relate stories surrounding the individual inscriptions – for instance, who donated which tablet, for what reason, and what was paid for it. These colophons are particularly valuable for historians of culture and social history, sup- plying as they do an abundance of microdata on Chinese society through the ages. And, third, the inscriptions are consciously created objects, worthy of note as “material culture” in their own right!

What was it that prompted the Buddhist monks to produce such monumental inscriptions?

Ledderose: We are able to date the largest inscription project in the ‘Home of the Clouds Monastery’ near Beijing very exactly: It was begun in 616 A.D. In those times Buddhists believed that the end of the world was approaching. They thought a new world epoch would follow after the apocalypse. It was for this supposed “time after” that the monks carved Buddha’s teachings onto the stone tablets they subsequently hid for safety

Crossing Borders 2005 25 in caves or on cloister premises. The toil of half a millennium resulted in some 25 million characters engraved onto 15,000 tablets – a momentous testimony in stone. We should not lose sight of the political context here. Just like the Roman Empire, China also disintegrated in the 3rd century A.D. At the time the first inscriptions were begun in the 6th century it was an open question, whether the Buddhists would turn out to be a help or a hindrance to the local rulers who were rebuilding the empire: Depending on the answer to this, their religion was either suppressed or fostered. It was in this situation that the monks virtually placarded their religious message in the rock.

So, when and why did the monks cease their efforts?

Ledderose: The last open-air inscriptions appeared in the 7th century, but the largest inscription project at ‘Home of the Clouds’ did not end until 1180. Against their expectations, the monks finally accepted that the apocalypse had not materialized: And by now they had also managed to put all the important scriptures on record. Here, again, the politico-sociological backdrop played an important role. At that time Buddhism entered a phase of secularization, whereby the state called upon the cloisters to per- The interdisciplinary efforts of sinologists and form social services, such as looking after the poor, for instance. Hence, the scholars of art and religion are indispensable monks simply became otherwise occupied. in gaining more knowledge from the multi- farious Buddhist stone inscriptions found in China. The Buddhist monk Sengan Daoyi, How do you explain that the monumental inscriptions in the whose fame is described in monumental Shandong, Hebei and Shaanxi Provinces remained undiscovered characters (bottom photo), was previously until so recently? unknown from other sources. Hence, this discovery in stone supplements the historical Ledderose: This is consequence of population growth and the explosive record. economic expansion in China. In search of pastureland, a shepherd drove his sheep into the isolated mountain valley of Hongdingshan in the Pro- vince of Shandong. There he discovered a group of 40 inscriptions dating back to the 6th century. He informed the local party secretary, who informed the regional… – until finally Professor Zhang Zong of the Chinese Aca- demy for Social Sciences got wind of the discovery and appeared on the scene. I have been a friend of Professor Zhang Zong for many years and he allowed me to accompany him.

In July 2004 you arranged a symposium on the inscriptions. What were your intentions in doing so?

Ledderose: My most important goal was to bring together international experts for the very first time. About one third of the participants were Chinese, naturally, another third came from Japan and the USA, and the

26 Crossing Borders 2005 last third from Europe, especially Germany. I paid special attention to attracting a number of young scholars from Germany. My objective was to encourage an international effort to research into these cultural treasures. Generally speaking, the Chinese have a biased and somewhat stereotyped picture of the West, especially of Germany. In their eyes, whereas technology is the strength of the West, their own strength lies in culture. We were able to show that we can have a say in cultural matters, too.

What do you think was the most important result of the symposium?

Ledderose: The symposium underscored the fruitfulness of the new methodological approach: In place of dealing with each inscription in iso- Once the work is done, Mr. Wan smokes a lation, we managed to link up philological elucidation of the texts with an well-earned cigarette. Professor Ledderose analysis of the politico-sociological context surrounding the date of origin (left) used the rubbings as motif for the flag and, third, an interpretation of the formal aspects, namely the arrangement flown during the symposium funded by the in space and form. An illustration of this, for instance, was the absolutely Foundation at the Heidelberg Academy of brilliant talk delivered by Hsieh Zhengfa, a young scholar from Taiwan Sciences (see bottom photo). who works at the Japanese Kyoto University. His examination of the chronology and spatial program regarding the sutras engraved in the southern cave of North Xiangtanshan enables an analysis of the political conditions of the time. Additionally, we were able to debate how the medium of reading and writing was viewed in 6th century China. This approach illustrates just how necessary and fruitful cooperation between sinologists and scholars of religion and art can be. The symposium in Heidelberg brought experts from all over the world together for the very German experts working on other epigraphic projects also first time. Our photo shows participants out- participated at the symposium. What was the purpose of this? side the Academy of Sciences engaged in lively discussion (from left): Professor Zhao Ledderose: You are referring to Professor Géza Alföldy, who is working on Chao, Beijing, Director Jiao Desen, Jinan, the project “Epigraphic Database of Roman Inscriptions”, originally begun Professor Lothar Ledderose, Heidelberg, and by Theodor Mommsen, and Professor Harald Hauptmann from the project Director Hu Xinli. “Cave Paintings and Inscriptions along the Karakorum Highway”. Their presence enabled us to demonstrate to the Chinese and colleagues from other countries the high level of know-how we have in Germany in the field of epigraphic studies. We can learn a lot from each other: How to edit, to archive, and how to take rubbings – not to forget how the computer can be utilized for such work. By the way, Buddhists are particularly progres- sive in this area. They consider every reproduction of their scriptures a token of religious faith. At the symposium we were presented a new CD with about 60 million characters relating to the canon of Buddhist scriptures – as a gift.

Crossing Borders 2005 27 Dr. Dag Nikolaus Hasse from Würzburg University is one of the first scholars who has been awarded a Lichtenberg Professorship by the Foundation. The Institute for Philosophy where he investigates the influence of the Arabic heritage in Europe is housed in the historical Residenz-building. (cf. text on p. 30) New Paths: For Academics as well as for Universities

First Lichtenberg Professorships in Berlin, Würzburg, Lübeck, and Göttingen

The mathematician, physicist and philosopher Georg Christoph Lichten- The aim of the Foundation’s funding berg (1742 to 1799), who lived and taught in the historical university city initiative entitled “Lichtenberg Pro- of Göttingen, was chosen as the patron of this funding initiative. The aim fessorships” is to enable universities of the Foundation is to provide a stimulus for alternative qualification and to actively recruit professors, whilst career pathways at German universities. The guiding principle behind at the same time encouraging them the Lichtenberg Professorships can be summarized as follows: On the one to pursue structural planning timely. hand the objective is to provide support for outstanding young academics Comparable with “tenure-track” in engaged in innovative fields of teaching and research, and on the other the USA, promising young academics hand to help develop the profiles of the best German universities within in Germany are also to be allowed the context of Germany as science location. The first grants were allocated the opportunity to gain distinction in 2004, enabling the first – male as well as female – Lichtenberg Professors via independent research and – in to take up their appointments in 2005. the event of successful evaluation – subsequently to take up a regular Dr. Matthias Endres is using his professorship at the Department of Neu- professorship. Funding will only be rology, Charité Berlin, for an interdisciplinary research project to investi- granted to outstanding scholars gate stroke (apoplexy). In the West, stroke is the third most frequent cause and scientists who are engaged in of death, and the disablement caused by strokes is the most frequent innovative fields of teaching and reason for long-term nursing care. Despite determined efforts over the research. The Lichtenberg Professor- past years no truly significant breakthrough in treating the permanent ships suitably complement the damage caused by strokes was achieved; nor has it been possible to reduce Foundation’s consistent support the number of deaths distinctly. Professor Endres is pursuing a double for junior scholars by adding a long- approach. On the one hand he is investigating vascular mechanisms and term perspective: Both for the processes and possible ways to intervene in case of a stroke, also with a successful candidates as well as for view to preventive measures. For instance, he has already been able to their universities. show that stimulation of the body’s production of nitric oxide can improve the cerebral blood flow, providing a degree of protection in acute stroke situations. Moreover, the production of blood vessel progenitor cells in the bone marrow is stimulated, too; this in turn increases neo-vascularization. The scientist now wants to find out whether an increase in nitric oxide production might even stave off stroke accidents – hence providing high- risk patients with protection prior to cardiac surgery.

The second research approach rests on new findings delivered by basic research: By means of genetic manipulation, researchers have induced mature nerve cells to divide. This could open up new possibilities for a regenerative stroke therapy. Professor Endres now intends to conduct detailed investigations into neuronal differentiation and the integration Professor Matthias Endres (second from left) of these “new” neurons, both inside cell culture as well as in the organism. and his team are working at the Charité In a second step, neuronal cell-proliferation is to be applied to experimen- Berlin: (from the right) Ferah Yildirim, Karen tal stroke therapy. The project is embedded in the Charité within a Gertz, MD, Ulrike Harms, MD, Dr. Juri Katcha- research environment that encompasses fields ranging from vascular nov, Dr. Julian Bösel, Shengbo Ji, and Dr. Golo biology to the neurosciences. Kronenberg. They are engaged in research on stroke. Dr. Susann Schweiger chose the Clinic for Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology at the Charité Berlin as the research venue for her professorship, which is dedicated to the topic “Monogenic Phenotypes as Gateways

Crossing Borders 2005 29 to Signaling Networks in Development and Disease”. Her work straddles the fields of pathology, biochemistry, molecular and human genetics and her research focuses on the characterization of genes, with a simultaneous focus on possible therapies. After some two decades of intensive research, Professor Susann Schweiger intends to dedi- we now know much more about hereditary diseases and the underlying cate her Lichtenberg Professorship at the Clinic gene defects. However, research has concentrated mostly on the heredi- for Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology tary diseases that can be traced to mutations of single genes (monogenic at Charité Berlin to further research on hereditary diseases). By means of combining clinical characterization of hereditary disease. The knowledge gained the outward manifestation of a disease and cell-biological as well as bio- from biochemical analysis of the molecular chemical analysis of the molecular processes behind the clinical picture, processes behind a disease pattern will be Professor Schweiger now hopes to identify the complex biochemical net- used to improve therapy. works involved and put this knowledge to therapeutic use. She is able to draw on path-breaking research recently carried out on one particular and rare monogenic disease. The specific gene whose defect condition triggers this disease lies on the X-chromosome – thus appearing with different characteristics in men (XY-chromosomes) and women (XX-chromosomes). Professor Schweiger has succeeded in showing that the gene product of this X-chromosomal gene actually regulates a microtubule-associated phosphorylation unit.

Existing data on this crucial protein-complex provide the starting point for the research ahead. The objective is to further characterize the individual biochemical processes involved, and subsequently to determine their significance for the development and course of neurodegenerative diseases.

At the Institute for Philosophy at Würzburg University Dr. Dag Nikolaus Hasse (photo page 28) is conducting research on the Greek-Arabic-Latin tradition of the history of philosophy and science in the period between the 12th and 18th centuries. The special significance of the Arabic influence will be the focus of his research. One of the objectives pursued is to create an internationally prominent center for research on Arabic heritage in Europe that will be unique in Germany. Dr. Hasse will be breaking new ground along the interfaces between philosophy, literature and history of science. This is aptly illustrated by his various research topics, that will include, for instance, a project to document the Arabic influence on the language of science in Europe, a study of the two translation movements from Greek into Arabic, and from Arabic into Latin, as well as an investigation into the Greek-Arabic influence on psychology, metaphysics and cos- mology. In addition to all this, he intends to produce publications of some of his work that will be aimed at specific target groups: A volume containing German translations of medieval Arabic texts, for instance, and a more popular-style book depicting the Arabic heritage for a wider readership. He will also be introducing elements of Anglo-Saxon academic culture into student courses (essay seminars, “directed reading” sessions). The courses planned will also be open to students of classical antiquity, history and medieval studies.

30 Crossing Borders 2005 Neurogenetic diseases make up the research field being explored by Pro- fessor Christine Klein of the Clinic for Neurology at the University Clinic Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck. The Foundation is funding her for Since April 2005 Dr. Christine Klein (front, research at the cutting edge between mutation analysis and the clinical second from left) has held a Lichtenberg picture of diseases – which in her case are movement disorders like Parkin- Professorship at the University Clinic Schles- son’s disease or restless legs syndrome. Professor Klein’s objective is to wig-Holstein, Lübeck. The members of her shed more light on the spectrum of different manifestations of certain group working on clinical and molecular neurogenetic diseases, to identify the modifying genes and mutations that neurogenetics are: Karin Wiegers, technical cause such diseases and to describe their functional roles. The research assistant, Heather Boston, B.Sc., Sylwia findings will allow insights into the causes of neurogenetic disorders. Dankert and Dr. Norman Kock (standing in Moreover, they will permit better tests on genetically determined diseases, front, from left), Ana Djarmati, M.Sc., Susen thus contributing towards an improved genetic consultation. It is expected Winkler, B.Sc., and Dr. Katja Hedrich (back that new therapies will be developed in the medium term. One way Pro- row, from left). fessor Klein hopes to achieve her goal is by testing large numbers of patients for mutations in known genes and by searching for associations with these gene loci. It is expected this will result in the discovery of new gene loci and genes. The stock of patients is to be expanded step by step, and different clinical pictures of neurogenetic diseases will gradually be covered. It is hoped that – in addition to gaining a better understanding of general genetic mechanisms and (patho-)psychological cerebral processes – many of the currently applied methods (as well as those methods yet to be developed) can be transferred to other genetic research and diseases.

In future Dr. Marcus Müller will be conducting research in the area of computer biophysics and computer biochemistry at the Institute for Theoretical Physics at Göttingen University. His aim is to develop and consolidate new models and simulation techniques in order to better describe collective biophysical phenomena in biological membranes. Many fascinating phenomena in biological membranes necessitate that the fundamental elements of the membranes – the lipid molecules – are collectively in motion. Such phenomena play a role in a number of processes, like fertilization, synaptic release, intracellular transport or viral infections. Nonetheless, the underlying biophysical processes remain largely unexplored. This is above all due to the fact that these processes last only a few hundredths of a millisecond, Coming from the University of Wisconsin in or that they occur in the micrometer area – and are subsequently difficult Madison/USA to a Lichtenberg Professorship to measure or virtually impossible to observe. Dr. Müller has therefore set at the Institute for Theoretical Physics at about developing coarse-grained representative models. These models do Göttingen University: Dr. Marcus Müller will not attempt to describe the lipid molecules in atomistic detail, rather they be investigating biophysical phenomena in collect together a small number of atoms into an “effective particle”. As biological membranes. opposed to atomistic simulations, the models permit direct insights into the collective membrane phenomena under investigation within the relevant temporal and linear scales. Both the potential as well as the limita- tions of such models are to be explored; their suitability for the examination of biophysical problems will also be investigated – for instance, the fusion of membranes, or the interconnectivity between membrane structure and the impact proteins make. Crossing Borders 2005 31 Trapped in Subjective Perception

Scholars conduct ground-breaking research on uncovering the history of Russian colonialism in the Caucasus and Central Asia

The Foundation’s funding initiative Right up to the present time, Russian politicians remain in a persistent “Between Europe and the Orient – state of denial concerning their country’s role as a colonial power – con- A Focus on Research and Higher cerning the past as well as the present. During Soviet times, historians Education in/on Central Asia and the persistently spread the message that Russia brought nothing but progress Caucasus” pursues the objective of in matters of civilization to the peoples it subjugated. For the past three enhancing our knowledge of these years, researchers from Halle, St. Petersburg, Baku and Tashkent have been regions, via research as well as with compiling previously unknown archive materials on the history of Central regard to the training of future Asia and the South Caucasus in the 19th century – materials that show this researchers and experts for the history in another light. The project they were working on bore the title region. Moreover, it is aimed at “Distorting Mirror”. Funded by the Volkswagen Foundation to the tune of reinforcing research in the area, 330,000 euros, it terminated in summer 2004. The result is a comprehen- even enabling it in the first place. sive database that enables insights into how the Russians viewed the To this end, the Foundation targets conquered peoples, as well as what the colonized peoples thought of the its support on cooperation between ruling powers in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Germany and researchers resident in the region. All these aspects are “Every day we are assaulted by drunken local guards. With ruthless bru- encompassed by the project des- tality they steal our money and our possessions. When we protest we are cribed in the following that bears beaten up and incarcerated. And they do not hesitate to make use of their the intriguing title “‘Distorting weapons.” These are the words of complaint uttered by Azerbaijan mer- Mirror’. How the Russians view the chants from Adshikabul who in August 1902 petitioned the Governor of peoples of Central Asia and the Cau- Baku to intervene and stop the deplorable state of affairs. By this time the casus, and vice versa: The Russians Russians had already been ruling for more than 70 years in this part of the as portrayed by Muslim authors South Caucasus. Notwithstanding, by the turn of the 19th century the from Central Asia and the Cauca- “Tartars” - as the people of Azerbaijan were referred to by their rulers – had sus”.This project embedded in the the worst of the years of terror behind them; those years during which the Institute for Oriental Studies at the occupiers answered any sign of insurgence by turning it into a bloodbath. University of Halle-Wittenberg can However reluctant, more and more Azerbaijanies eventually adapted therefore be taken as exemplary for themselves to the new situation; some of them learning the language of the funding initiative. their rulers, and some even going on to study in St. Petersburg. Some still had the courage to complain to the local authorities about corrupt offi- cials, misuse of power, or exorbitant taxation.

Shahin Mustafayev could hardly believe how much unknown material to do with conditions in 19th-century Azerbaijan was hidden away in local archives. “We set out to investigate what sort of mark the special Russian perception of the peoples of Central Asia and the Caucasus had left behind in the minds of Muslim authors of the region”, explains the historian from Baku, who spent three years researching at the Institute for Oriental Studies at Halle-Wittenberg University within the context of the project. The project title “Distorting Mirror” tells its own story: “The mirror of their self-perception, a repeatedly distorted situation of perceptions”, summarizes Professor Jürgen Paul, Head of the Halle Institute. How had the colonial rulers really behaved, what was said about them and what did the population find particularly provoking? Providing answers to these questions would reveal the real relations that existed between Russia and its erstwhile periphery. The facts that crystallized tell quite a different story

32 Crossing Borders 2005 to that propagated by Soviet historians and one that remained unchal- lenged until today, namely the perception of a nation that solely exercised a “civilizing” influence on other peoples.

Visibly satisfied with the project results, the Islam researcher Paul clicks from one set of data to another on his computer screen. An exhaustive collection containing more than 400 drawings and photographs, as well as 1,200 texts in Russian, Persian and Turk languages – including the diaries of intellectuals, travel journals, letters of complaint, and even poems in praise of the Tsarist railway: This is the tangible result of the project that Jürgen Paul and his five colleagues from St. Petersburg, Baku and Tashkent can so rightly be proud of. “The database contains all kinds of text, from short newspaper notices to 120-page long treatises”, the project leader underlines. The Halle researchers are especially proud to point out that project members succeeded in gaining access to archives in Baku and Tashkent that were made available to researchers for the very first time.

In order to ensure that the relations between the “motherland” and her colonies were put in a correct light, special attention was paid to selecting the countries to be investigated. Above all, it was considered necessary to distinguish between a number of certain factors; for instance, the prevalent religion (Muslim on the one hand, Christian on the other), or the type of society (nomadic, for example). Thus, Azerbaijan came to be chosen for the Caucasus. In Central Asia, both Uzbekistan (subjugated in the latter half of the 19th century) and Kazakhstan (where between 1731 and the middle of the 19th century some regions had accepted the rule of the Zsar) were suitable. Constraints were also placed on the periods covered by the Etchings portray grievances in Baku around material to be researched, the earliest dating from the middle of the 19th 1900. Top: Russian soldiers enforce relo- century, and the youngest dealing with events immediately prior to the calization policies also aimed at indigenous First World War. nomads (their yurts can be seen in the background). Center and bottom: Pictures Also involved on the German side was Beate Eschment, who simultane- of the railway station contrast the comfort ously took care of overall communications with the researchers in the afforded to Russian passengers (traveling of other countries. This alone being an enthralling task, as before turning to their own free will) and the forced transport the challenge presented by the actual research itself, the four-country of Muslims being loaded into barred wagons. research team first of all had to find a level compatible with their experience and expertise at which fruitful exchange could take place. Eschment’s own research focused on the relationship between the Russians and the Kazakhs. Her observations reveal how over the course of time the initially positive Kazakh stereotype of “carefree sons of the steppes” gradually changed into a negative image, one that still prevails today. During Tsarist times the steppes were regarded by Russian intellectuals as a realm of freedom – something they missed at home. Following the October Revo- lution the newly empowered Bolsheviks brought about a change of consciousness. They established the image of Kazakhs as being a “backward people”. This was also an opinion held as early as 1896, when the Russian

Crossing Borders 2005 33 Another pictorial document from the “Distorting Mirror” database: The Russian conquerors built their churches in sight of Muslim cemeteries and brutally chased the people away.

newspaper “Niva” published the following: “In 933 the town of Merw fell to the Chanat Buchara, for the entire following century to remain a bone of contention, until eventually conquered by Russia. During this period of colonialization the Russians administered their Asian territories with such skill that one can only wish the country continues to enjoy its new advances along the path of thriving development.”

Since one consequence of the research was to throw light onto the motives and causes of change in the respective perception of others, the project assumes an important political significance. “Until now there was only the image left by Soviet ideology; only the positive side of Russian rule was projected. In the past we were unable to talk about how our own historical path was suppressed. Now our time has come”, says Mustafayev, feeling heartened by the wealth of material now at his disposal. Introdu- cing facts into the discussion is now more important than ever, since in Russia certain factions still exist who tend to look back nostalgically on their colonial past.

Professor Paul is quick to point out that western researchers hardly ever concern themselves with the topic of “Russian colonialism”. He bemoans the fact that most European researchers continue to be possessed of a colonialism concept that is far too circumscribed, implying that a great distance must be involved, something like an ocean, for instance, between the colony and the motherland. Of course, this is not the case in Russia. “But the country is clearly a colonial power, having continually annexed one neighboring country after another.” Undoubtedly, the predominantly Christian Georgia (Russian colony since 1801) belongs to this category, or the Muslim Kazakhstan. Both countries subjugated themselves under the rule of the Tsar “voluntarily”. In the interim it is not unusual to hear scholars, among them Russians, voicing an opinion as to whether the annexation of various other territories might not be equated to acts of colonialization, too.

“A good 70 years ago Russian doctrine was propagating that the assumption of political power on the part of Russia constituted an advantage for the regions involved”, the orientalist from Halle calls to mind. The supposi- tion was that the Asian peoples benefited from their association with the Russian working class. Opponents of this theory, Paul points out, did not survive the Stalin era. The scholars involved in the project also see the current war in Chechen as a clear indication that the Russians have not reappraised their colonial mentality. The break-up of the Soviet empire in the wake of independence movements at the end of the eighties is regarded by politicians and large sections of the population alike as a “national disgrace”.“The Russian military presence in Tadzhikistan or in regions of the Caucasus show that Moscow has not ceased to regard these territories as its own sphere of interest”, say the researchers.

34 Crossing Borders 2005 This is not the only reason Professor Paul attributes an important political significance to the interdisciplinary and supra-regional project “Distorting Mirror”. He is of the opinion that the collection of documents could refute the widely-held notion in Russia of a “civilizing mission”. At any rate, the collection makes an important contribution toward making the different peoples aware of their colonial legacy. It will also help these peoples learn how to cope with this inheritance; to hold onto what is worth holding on to. “Our observations might possibly lead to more tolerance in our deal- Dr. Shahin Mustafayev (center) also uncovered ings with one another”, surmises Paul. For instance, when taking a decision historical data recording the relationship to consciously adopt Russian as the language of the region alongside the between Russians and the people of Azerbaijan local language – comparable to the acceptance of English in India. In at the Akhundov National Library in Baku September 2002 it was possible to discuss these topics and ideas at an (top). The bottom photo shows library users in international conference held at the Institute for Oriental Studies in Halle, the reading room. entitled “Looking at the Colonizer”. Together with the scholars involved in the “Distorting Mirror” project and other colleagues from the countries encompassed by the project, researchers from India, Great Britain and the USA also took part. The papers resulting from the conference were published in book form at the end of 2004 by Ergon publishers.

The database, which is to be expanded on further, is now the object of continuing evaluation under continually new aspects. Professor Paul hopes to receive interest and support for this effort from researchers all over the world; all the more so since a scholar from Dagestan (North Caucasus) recently and quite unexpectedly sent in some more unknown archive documents. Mustafayev, his colleague in Azerbaijan, as Deputy Director of the Institute for Oriental Studies in Baku has reason to be pleased for quite another reason. Throughout the course of the project assisted by just one assistant and almost overwhelmed by the huge amount of archive material to be dealt with, he has in the meanwhile been able to share out research tasks to some new PhD students. There is still an enormous amount of work to be done on the piled up research material. Just recently a project was started on peasant life and everyday work in 19th century Azerbaijan, about which very little is known. Hence, one might say “‘Distorting Mirror’ - sequel to follow” is yet another result of this cooperation project involving researchers from two continents. And the researchers themselves are already full of anticipation of new findings and surprises.

Nino Ketschagmadse

Crossing Borders 2005 35 A Jewel on the Baltic

Interdisciplinary Center for Ethics at the University of Tartu sets international standards

The Volkswagen Foundation has taken on an ambitious project in the Estonian town of Tartu. It has allocated funding in the amount of 200,000 euros to support the interdisciplinary Center for Ethics founded in 2001 at the University of Tartu. The funds are to be spent on five stipends for a PhD research group, books, workshops and visiting lecturers. Head of the Center is Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Margit Sutrop. She previously spent several years in Konstanz, initially on a scholarship awarded by the Ger- man Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). In 1997 she was awarded her PhD at the University of Konstanz, where she was subsequently engaged for three years in research and teaching within the context of a project supported by the German Research Association (Deutsche Forschungsge- meinschaft) on “Literature and Anthropology”. As member of the philosophy research group she was also involved in supervising research work conducted at the Center for Philosophy and Science Theory, led by Profes- sor Jürgen Mittelstraß. She set herself the goal to set up a similar center in Estonia at the University of Tartu, which, with valuable help from Konstanz, she was eventually successful in achieving.

Heiko Schwarzburger interviewed Professor Margit Sutrop at Tartu Uni- versity, where she teaches practical philosophy and heads the Center for Ethical Studies.

Professor Sutrop, you are Professor for Practical Philosophy. What does that mean exactly?

Sutrop: The distinction between theoretical and practical philosophy goes back to the times of Aristotle. Theoretical philosophy inquires into “What is?”: We practical philosophers focus more on “What ought to be?”.

She has been successful in transferring a good idea from Konstanz to Tartu: Professor Margit Sutrop, Director of the Center for Ethics at the Estonian University.

36 Crossing Borders 2005 Our field encompasses moral issues, politico-social philosophy, philosophy of law, aesthetics and applied ethics, in science and technology, for instance.

Do you take active part in debates on Estonian society?

Sutrop: Practical philosophy is nearer to real life. We provide material The Center for Ethics at Tartu University is for decisions, by inquiring into theoretical knowledge and reflecting on located in rent-free premises in an old morals, for example. Our intention is to prompt others to reflect, too. This building next to the City Hall. The building is very necessary in Estonia, since at present not enough time is spent on belongs to Professor of Medicine, Alexander thinking about ethical norms and values. For about ten years now our von Rücker, Bonn, who made it over to the country has been subject to enormous pressure of change. Above all, the Foundation for Science and Culture “Domus hasty economic reforms have split our society into winners and losers. We Dorpatensis”.The refurbished building hosts can see now how damaging that can be. The question we have to answer offices for the staff, seminar facilities, is: What type of society do we want to live in? What do justice and solidar- including a small reference library containing ity mean to us? What is the meaning of traditional norms, now subject 2,000 volumes, and accommodation for to new influences from Europe or America? visiting lecturers.

How much support can you count on from academia?

Sutrop: Tartu University is the only place in Estonia where philosophy is established as a major field of study. Although there are more than fifty universities all together, they are all highly specialized, and philosophy is taught as a subsidiary subject at best. At Tartu we have 16 students major- ing in philosophy, including fee-paying students, maybe about 30 people. That is not very many, considering the task on hand.

How big is the Center for Ethics?

Sutrop: We employ one project manager and five part-time members of staff. Apart from my professorship, the Chair includes one lectureship and two assistants. The curriculum is enriched enormously by lectures delivered by visiting lecturers, whom we are able to engage thanks to the support provided by the Volkswagen Foundation. To name but one example, Professor Hubert Schleichert of the University of Konstanz was guest here for three semesters. The Center for Ethics boasts a very well-equipped reference library, another matter in which we received a great deal of help from the Volkswagen Foundation. Our data systems technology is also state-of-the-art. Moreover, we enjoy being able to work in a pleasant atmosphere and environment, our premises being immediately adjacent to the City Hall in one of the most historical buildings of the oldest part of town. The building belongs to the Foundation for Science and Culture “Domus Dorpatensis”, who have kindly allowed us to use it.

Crossing Borders 2005 37 Where do the students come from?

Sutrop: The Center for Ethics is embedded in the Philosophy Faculty and does not have its own students in the strict sense of the word. It networks the various subjects taught at the University and provides the different departments with the opportunity for a sound grounding in morals and ethics. In the field of ethics, though, we still have to build up the number of young scholars. We have recently set up a PhD group with this end in mind. The Volkswagen Foundation is helping here, too, by funding five one-year stipends. There is a general call for applications. At the moment I am personally supervising five PhD doctoral candidates, two of whom The Tartu Center for Ethics provides good receive support from Hanover. working conditions for its staff Külli Keerus (top), Sigrid Parts (bottom, right) and Kristi Lõuk (bottom, left). What are you able to offer the students?

Sutrop: Our most important course is ‘Introduction to Ethics’, a manda- tory subject for students belonging to the philosophy and theological faculties. The course is also open to other faculties as an optional subject. Up to 700 students attend these lectures. Then there are courses on medical ethics for students of medicine. The departments of law and education have also shown an interest in introductory courses specially adapted for their fields. This is particularly beneficial, since the people we provide the training for not only reinforce our group; they will also be in a position to offer courses themselves. Don’t forget: We are still in the formation phase.

What role does research play at the Center?

Sutrop: Currently we are hosting five research projects, including three international projects. We are participating in two European projects: “The Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects of Human Genetic Databases“ and “Feasi- bility Study for an Advanced Systematic Documentation and Information

38 Crossing Borders 2005 and Communication Tool in the Field of Ethical Issues in Science, Research and Technology”. In future we also want to research into issues surrounding nanotechnology and pharmacogenetics. In each case we intend to submit applications for EU funding.

Is the Center having any impact on Estonian society?

Sutrop: First of all, the Center is often invited to provide consultation on ethical issues in various matters. We also use the media to voice our stand- point on the problems facing Estonian society. In keeping with our commitment to promote ethical thinking in society, we sometimes arrange public lectures and conferences. Some of these are directed at schools: the recently held conference on “How to avoid violence in schools?”, for example. We also participated in the organization of an essay competition on the subject of young people’s values in today’s society. Some 500 pupils took part in this nationwide. In the autumn of 2004 a conference took place that was above all directed at the politicians. The issue under discussion was citizens confidence in politicians and their policies. Estonia has Visitors from Germany meeting Estonian an extremely low voter participation and the media is full of corruption scholars at the Center for Ethics (bottom, allegations. How to achieve confidence in politicians? What is such con- from the left): Professor Margit Sutrop, Dr. fidence based on? We have received an inquiry asking us to compile a Eberhard Mertens, Dr. Wilhelm Krull, Professor Code of Ethics for politicians, and we are setting up a commission to draft Peter Hertel, Malle Ermel, Sabine Beckmann, a corresponding paper. Simon Sommer, Stefan Anders, Dr. Martin Klöker, Professor Klaus Garber. Top photo: Margit Sutrop (center) talking with Chancellor What problems are you confronted with? of Justice Allar Jõks (left) and Aive Pevkur, PhD student and ethics consultant, during a Sutrop: Due to the uncertain financial situation, I am most concerned conference on “Trust and Cooperation”. about the future of my co-workers. They live from project funding and have no guarantee regarding their future at the Center. This uncertainty places a great burden on our work. If we are not able to hold on to them, the most talented people will probably go abroad.

Crossing Borders 2005 39 Working on human rights in Europe: The “research trio” Dr. Reetta Toivanen, Dr. Claudia Mahler and Dr. Anja Mihr (from left). With the Tandem en Route to New Domains of Knowledge

Postdocs gaining experience in interdisciplinary team research

The direct way is not always the most productive. That is a truth that three The Foundation’s funding initiative young scholars were soon to discover when, one night, they hopelessly “Postdocs in Tandem: Program Sup- got lost whilst traveling somewhere between Potsdam and Berlin. During porting Cooperation in Transdiscipli- their nighttime odyssey, Claudia Mahler, a jurist, Anja Mihr, political scien- nary Projects” for small research tist, and Reetta Toivanen, socio-anthropologist, accidentally became aware groups numbering two to three of the fact that they were all working on the very same problem – albeit persons was terminated in mid from different angles. “We met during a meeting at the Human Rights 2005. It aimed at providing young Center of the University of Potsdam”, Mihr relates, “and by the end of that postdoctorate researchers with an nighttime journey our minds were firmly set on pooling our research opportunity to gain experience in efforts”. interdisciplinary unsupervised team research at an early stage in their Today the trio actually has become a team, and “tandem” is the vehicle on careers. It should also enable them which their mutual research is transported: The aim of the Volkswagen to obtain additional qualifications Foundation’s Tandem Program is to support the active interdisciplinary alongside their specific field of collaboration of postdoctorate research teams. It is in the frame of this research. This is because young funding initiative that the team has realized a pioneering project on the postdocs pursuing a career in topic “Teaching Human Rights in Europe: Purposes, Realization and Con- research must also possess the sequences.” ability to generate impulses for new areas of knowledge, and the necessary skills to translate these ideas New Identities into concrete research concepts and research projects. The assumption of Human rights education in Europe: A pressing, though little heeded topic. responsibility within a team In 1994 the United Nations proclaimed the years 1995 to 2004 to be the engaged in interdisciplinary projects decade for the promotion of human rights awareness. What has become represents a particularly stimulating of this initiative? What has been the echo? Is it possible to detect traces of way of acquiring such competencies a new social consciousness in Europe – especially with regard to certain – as the following three examples minorities in the different countries? How do these “peripheral groups” illustrate. perceive their rights – if at all? How are state and non-state institutions interpreting the issue? Questions considered crucial to successfully building up the “new Europe”.

Motivated by their previous research and personal dedication, the three scholars are approaching this important topic on different levels: They analyse basic conditions and actors involved with human rights education. This involves carrying out questionnaires involving minority groups in six countries, inquiring into how these people evaluate their opportunities, self-perception and self-organization. The spectrum of countries chosen reflects the different political, legal and cultural constellations in which the minority populations live; the trio was already cooperating with institutions in these countries before they began work on the project. The survey includes groups of Russians living in four different countries: Armenia, Estonia, Germany and Finland; moreover, Kurds in Armenia and Germany; Serbs in Germany; Saamis in Finland; Hungarians and Germans in Slova- kia, as well as Basques and Maghrebis in Spain.

Crossing Borders 2005 41 “Back home in Finland the Saamis have only recently managed to consolidate their place in society; beforehand they were merely a ‘quantité négligeable’, so to speak”, relates Reetta Toivanen. In the meantime, though, The Saamis, originally nomads who lived from the Saamis have at last found a place in Finish schoolbooks. As a socio- fishing and hunting, are settled nowadays. anthropologist, Toivanen is able to sensitize her colleagues for formations They succeded in consolidating their place in of cultural identity that know no set pattern. “Minority status needs not Finnish society. necessarily equate with lack of identity, as the Spanish Basques have shown”, Mihr points out. In Slovakia, on the other hand, where the Sinti and Roma are legally without status, this group is completely robbed of any semblance of social identity. “They are virtually stateless persons”, says Mahler, the jurist in the team. Hence, one can expect little on the part of the state by way of promoting human rights. One of the questions being researched is whether non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are capable of compensating for this lack of public commitment. Discrimination, though, is also well-rooted in the subtle contradictions of western demo- cracy. “Sometimes it is possible to observe how the gap between demo- cratic image and the real status of minority groups is widening”. On this point the trio is in unison.

All three post-docs contribute their respective research focus to create a platform of fundamental knowledge in the service of their joint research project. Together they thus exemplify the metaqualification so essential to interdisciplinary research. The acid test came right at the outset: “We found we were all using the same vocabulary, although we actually meant In Slovakia the Roma are treated as an something different”, says Mahler with an amused smile. “So, first of all we unwelcome minority.This leads to social had to get accustomed to a common terminology.” In the meantime, much tension which can explode in protest and more has become of that: A finely tuned ensemble, jointly striving toward plunder, as in 2004 following stiff cuts in a new perfection. social welfare. It is already possible to say that the project, which will run until 2006, is able to make a significant contribution toward the constitution of the Europe of tomorrow. The drastic changes taking place in Europe today – globalization, subsequent increases in migration flows and changing political and cultural structures – inevitably form the backdrop to the project.

Language – an art in itself

All three tandems share the same principle. But in all cases their implementation is – by virtue of definition – quite different. Each team goes its individual way – not always in a direct line, but every time leading to new breakthroughs in knowledge. The topic of research being investigated by another project, which is being supported by the Foundation to the tune of 565,000 euros, is the power of language.

42 Crossing Borders 2005 “Language is like a knife. It must be sharpened before use”, says an old Sengalese proverb. The art of talking – or rather that of persuading and convincing – is the focus of research being conducted by Dr. Anna Marie Diagne of the Department of Linguistics at the University of Cologne and Dr. Christian Meyer of the Department of Anthropology and African Studies at the University of Mainz. They are researching into the speech strategies applied by the Wolof people, who live in North-West Senegal. For the Wolof, the spoken word is a valuable gift that embodies a special power in community life, albeit a potentially dangerous one. Conse- quently, storytellers and conciliators alike enjoy particularly high social regard. But in spite of its great social significance, this is the first time that Wolof rhetoric has become the subject of scholarly research.

In the course of their three-year project entitled “Persuasive Communica- tion as Practiced by the Wolof People: The Interconnectivity of Linguistic and Cultural Aspects” Meyer and Diagne – both speak Wolof – will be investigating how these Senegalese people shape their social life by means of persuasion. Combining ethnological as well as linguistic analyses, their research approach is unusual, and even unique to researchers in the German-speaking world. “We hope our approach will open up a new perspective on the relationships between language and society”, says Christian Meyer.

The two researchers are engaged in compiling a semantic inventory of the Wolof language, also examining the criteria that distinguish a speaker as being a particularly competent word-spinner. Based on observations of political debates held at meetings of the village council and socio-political associations, as well as informal everyday conversation, the team also ana- lyzes the interconnectivity between linguistic features of persuasive communication and their context: this is just as much influenced by the pre- The persuasive communication of the Wolof vailing social relationships, situations and cultural backgrounds as are the people in Senegal is being investigated by competencies, objectives and ambitions of the individual speakers. scholars in Cologne and Mainz. Dr. Christian Meyer from Mainz University (bottom photo) “Knowledge of traditional forms of communication may later be of con- hopes that the combination of ethnological sequence for many other areas”, says Christian Meyer. The project has and linguistic analyses will open up new aroused considerable interest, not only from the two Senegalese universi- perspectives on their social life, of which ties involved, but also from local media and politicians. After all, Wolof is meetings of the village council (photo top) the most spoken language, the lingua franca, of Senegal. The two young form an integral part. researchers are confident that the results of their project will not go unno- ticed by other researchers – not least due to the fact that Wolof is the first African language to be investigated from the angle of persuasive communication. The team has already begun paving the way for further research projects.

Crossing Borders 2005 43 Different mixtures of “raw materials” result in a range of geopolymers, all exhibiting different properties. Geopolymers – the new all-rounder among building materials?

As many old-hand researchers will readily admit, casting an eye beyond one’s own horizon can be most rewarding. A growing appreciation of interdisciplinary and international collaboration in teamwork is shared by young researchers, too. A concept that heralds well for the future, as the third example of “Postdocs in Tandem” proves.

A normal household dough mixer stands in the laboratory belonging to the Chair for Engineering Chemistry at Bauhaus University in Weimar. The cream-colored mass in the mixer, looking remarkably similar to cake mixture, is the object of research for Dr. Anja Buchwald of the Bauhaus University Weimar, Dr. Katja Dombrowski of the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, and Dr. Marcel Weil of the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. The three postdocs are working on the development of so- called geopolymers. This new construction material is said to combine properties such as fire and acid resistance, whilst still possessing good ecological features, and one day it may well challenge concrete and ceramics in some fields of application. However, the scientific proof of its capability has yet to be demonstrated.

This is what captured the imagination of Anja Buchwald, when she first read about geopolymers some four years ago. “It was the great composi- tional variation in manufacturing geopolymers together with the global, though unproven, claims regarding its ecological compatibility that attracted me to the subject”, she says. Since May 2004 the 33-year-old expert for construction materials has been working in collaboration with her two tandem partners, Dombrowski and Weil, on the project “Development of Geopolymer Binders Imbedded in System Analysis and Lifecycle Asess- ment”. The project is being funded by the Foundation with 577,000 euros. Dr. Marcel Weil, Karlsruhe, Dr.-Ing. Anja Buchwald, Weimar, and Dr.-Ing. Katja The trio – the first “tandem” to be funded by the Foundation in the field Dombrowski, Freiberg, (from left) are seldom of engineering science – is investigating the properties that result from to be found working together in one geopolymers with different compositions, and what effects can be expect- laboratory: Here it is on the occasion of a ed on the environment when such combinations are used. One part of meeting in Weimar, where they take the the system analysis is to quantify and evaluate the “environmental effects” opportunity to compare different by means of ecobalances. Right from the beginning of their research, the compositions of geopolymers and discuss young scientists are applying system analysis. In this way they are able at their findings. an early stage to identify possible drawbacks attached to the use of certain geopolymers, e.g. high manufacturing and disposal costs, or environmental pollution: Such problems can then either be addressed, or the material in question can be avoided altogether. The comprehensive approach explicitly favored by the tandem program proves itself here to be a crucial advantage:“We can and will encompass all the important aspects that play a role in the development of geopolymers”, stresses Katja Dombrowski.

Crossing Borders 2005 45 The three researchers have shared out the necessary tasks according to their individual research focus. “We complement each other perfectly”, says the researcher from Freiberg. Whereas the two civil engineers take care of materials development and examine specific properties of the different geopolymers they produce, the evaluation by system analysis and lifecycle assessment rests in the competent hands of Marcel Weil: “Usually, environmental impact assessment is left to the end of the development process, once the finished product is available and all the frame conditions have been explored. By such time, though, few possibilities remain for optimizing the product with regard to economy and ecology.” Thus, the real challenge is to apply the tools of system analysis at an early stage in the development of the material. “This gives us the opportunity to develop materials more purposefully”, hopes the 34-year-old geologist and system analyst.

In a first step, the screening of raw materials, Anja Buchwald and Katja Dombrowski prepare up to 30 geopolymers. A substance containing alu- minosilicate, the bonding agent, is mixed with an alkaline activator, a sodium hydroxide solution, for example. This breaks up the molecular structures of the substance, allowing a chemical reaction of the aluminum and silicon oxides they contain: A new polymer is created. “Virtually any substance containing aluminum oxide and silicon oxide in reactive form will do as an admixture”, explains Anja Buchwald, “for example, slag, or flue ash from power stations fired with brown-coal.”

By applying a system-analytical approach, the large number of polymers Working in the laboratory of building is reduced to combinations of raw materials that appear interesting under materials expert Dr. Anja Buchwald, a student, technical as well as economical and ecological aspects. Only selected Christa Bollert, fills a geopolymer emulsion polymers go on to the second step, where they are processed for specific into inverted moulds. The material is left in applications and tested for durability. Are they suitable to be used as mass the mould to harden for about a day prior to construction material (key word: “concrete substitute”) or more for special being examined. applications, like fireproof tunnel linings, for instance, or acid-resistant sewage pipes? The two experts for construction materials must call upon all their intuitive feeling as well as their materials and manufacturing knowledge in order to arrive at the optimum mixture for a specific application. “We want to explore optimum combinations, and amounts of residual admixture that can be tolerated, whilst still retaining the desired properties”, says Katja Dombrowski.

It is already plain to see: The team’s research on geopolymers will provide valuable fundamental findings for other projects to build on. “Even if we do not actually come up with a finished product in the end,” says Anja Buchwald, “we shall be able to deliver an exact definition of a product.” This would make it possible to satisfy specific demand from industry for materials exhibiting those properties. Close contact to industrial enterprises and users is therefore particularly important for the three researchers.

46 Crossing Borders 2005 “That is how we keep up with events – and it also assists us in probing the particular circumstances in which geopolymers must prove their worth”, says Marcel Weil. When their project terminates, the trio would score a great success if they were able to interest enterprises in producing the geopolymers they have developed.

The three researchers involved in the project all agree that the Volkswagen Foundation’s exemplary funding offer sets a model for the future. “Free from other concerns, one is free to develop one’s own ideas and carry out independent research”, they point out in unison. Despite the distance between Karlsruhe, Freiberg and Weimar, the group manages to work together intensively. The lack of spatial proximity is bridged by regular telephone conferences, net-meetings and correspondence by e-mail; in addition, the trio come together whenever thought necessary. “That works exceptionally well, since we all get on well together. We enjoy our exchanges, and each of us can benefit from the other’s expertise”, says Anja Buch- wald. “Sometimes our meetings lasted as long as three days and found us working round the clock”, adds her research colleague, Dombrowski. And intensive as the collaboration was from the very outset, it is to continue intensively in future, too.

Ruth Kuntz-Brunner (Tandem 1) Melanie Ossenkop (Tandems 2 and 3)

The young scientists` triple-tandem is on course to discovering new insights into the properties of geopolymers.

Crossing Borders 2005 47

The Foundation’s Funding Initiatives

The following pages contain brief descriptions of the funding initiatives currently open for application. They are ordered by categories which reflect the Foundation’s funding profile: Support of Persons and New Structures, International Focus, Thematic Impetus, Social and Cultural Challenges, Off the Beaten Track.

More detailed and updated information can be obtained by visiting the website (www.volkswagenstiftung.de); see especially the respective sections ‘Information for Applicants’. Support of Persons and New Structures

Lichtenberg Professorships

Established in 2002 The “Lichtenberg Professorships” are designed to combine support for both Volume of funding up to May 2005: persons as well as institutions. The Volkswagen Foundation will provide EUR 5.7 million support to outstandingly qualified (junior) academics in connection with innovative fields of research located between the disciplines as well as Contact: new teaching concepts within the respective research environment with a Dr. Anja Fließ kind of tenure-track. The funding which will be made available for a Natural and Engineering Sciences, Medicine period of up to eight years is expected to pave an interesting new path in Phone: + 49-511-8381-374 higher education. It is intended to support about ten to twelve professor- [email protected] ships per year, all at universities in Germany, whereby applications are also open to non-German nationals. There are no thematic restrictions. Dr. Marcus Beiner Humanities and Social Sciences ● The main target group will comprise junior scholars who obtained Phone: + 49-511-8381-289 their PhD two or three years beforehand (according to the new pay [email protected] scale: W1). Candidates should be under 35 years old with a proven research record and preferably with some experience in working abroad.

● Additionally, the initiative also aims at outstanding young scholars who obtained their PhD at least four years previously (W2). Candidates for these professorships should preferably be returning back to Germany from abroad; at any rate a change of the academic environment has to have taken place during the last five years or is envisaged.

By detailed comparison of texts Dr. Dag ● In particular cases successful “five-star” researchers aged up to their Nikolaus Hasse, Würzburg, is tracing mid-forties may be considered; they should represent non-classical dis- translation movements. Thus he wants to ciplines and enjoy an international reputation (W3); to avoid undue analyze and document the Arabic influence competition within Germany such applications will be accepted solely on western sciences and philosophy. from applicants living and working abroad.

Applications for the W2 and W3 professorships will not be considered in the event that research interests lie in the established areas of their respective discipline. The application for a Lichtenberg Professorship can only be submitted by the candidate. It is to be accompanied by a statement on the part of the university management as well as the respective faculty (Fakultät) and/or department (Fachbereich) in which the university elucidates the scientific and organizational frame conditions. The Foundation expects that the university will make a significant contribution from the outset, which should consist of a basic share from its own budget and the use of resources. A further prerequisite is that the university enters into a firm commitment to progressively assume the professorship and its infrastructure if successful. The institution must also guarantee that a regular W2- or W3-professorship will be included in the university’s budget for the period following expiry of the funding.

50 Crossing Borders 2005 Focus on the Humanities

A society without the humanities? Hard to imagine. In the absence of Established in 2004 scholarly self-reflection, society would very soon run into danger of losing its cultural substance as well. In many respects, especially regarding the Contact: emerging European academic and economic space, the humanities are Prof. Dr. Axel Horstmann precursors – and in future this role should be enhanced even further. For Phone: + 49-511-8381-214 successful integration within an enlarged Europe the cultural issues and [email protected] challenges are just as important as the tasks assigned to the natural sciences, technology and the economy at large. Yet, in the main, those Dr. Marcus Beiner issues are left to be dealt with by private foundations. And so the Fritz Phone: + 49-511-8381-289 Thyssen Foundation and Volkswagen Foundation – other foundations are [email protected] expected to participate in individual components within the program – have joined forces to set up a funding initiative entitled “Focus on the Humanities”.

Research in the humanities should be supported especially where it hovers at the interfaces and overlaps of disciplines, and where it refers to sophis- ticated, new fields of especially high-risk research that differ from main- stream thinking. The aim of the funding initiative is both to encourage highly qualified junior researchers to pursue careers in the humanities, as well as to make the humanities more attractive for those who have already attained renown and are firmly established by virtue of their outstanding work to date.

The funding initiative “Focus on the Humanities” comprises three components: The “Dilthey-Fellowships” – named after the German philosopher Wilhelm Dilthey (1833 to 1911) – close an important gap in the support offered to junior scholars of the humanities in Germany. Outstanding Philosopher Wilhelm Dilthey was chosen as young post-doctorate scholars will be able to work on themes that open the patron for the fellowship program jointly up new avenues of research in the humanities, but that – due to their com- initiated by the Fritz Thyssen Foundation and plexity or high element of risk – are known to necessitate elaborate plan- the Volkswagen Foundation. ning and long time horizons. A prerequisite for eligibility is that research is embedded in a German university, or other recognized institution.

The funding component “opus magnum” is the second pillar of the initiative. Exceptional scholars who have made an outstanding contribution to research can obtain leave of between six months and two years from their normal duties in order to dedicate themselves to work on an expansive scholarly treatise. The costs of deputy teaching will be borne by the participating foundations. The third component encompasses support for thematic events (workshops, conferences). The aim of these events is to contribute toward promoting the image and standing of the humanities to the public at large.

Crossing Borders 2005 51 Symposia and Summer Schools

Established in 1966 The pioneering of new avenues of investigation and innovative research Volume of funding up to May 2005: areas are among the primary objectives of the Volkswagen Foundation. To EUR 22.8 million this end, particular importance is attached to collaboration between individual disciplines as well as beyond national boundaries. Within the Contact (general questions): framework of the funding initiative “Symposia and Summer Schools” the Dr. Cornelius Schmaltz Foundation seeks to foster the development of new research ideas, and to Phone: + 49-511-8381-228 promote the discussion of topics and approaches not yet dealt with in an [email protected] interdisciplinary and international forum. The Foundation is particularly interested in securing the active participation of young researchers. Funding is not restricted to any particular discipline and there are no thematic restrictions.

In the case of symposia, workshops and small conferences the Foundation wishes to support meetings of scholars which can be expected to provide impetus for issues and research areas at the cutting edge of existing knowledge, or which hold promise of opening up innovative perspectives by bringing together different disciplines and approaches. Summer schools will deal with the presentation of new knowledge and contacts important for the further development of a particular research area to selected young scholars from both Germany and abroad. To ensure maximum effectiveness, the number of participants should not exceed 60, including speakers. A smaller number may be advisable for meetings in the field of humanities or social sciences. The venue should be within Germany. In exceptional cases the event may also take place in another European country. If the meeting is organized jointly with researchers from abroad, the person in charge should be an academic based at a German research institution.

A large number of junior scientists attended a summer school at International University Bremen which was dedicated to the modeling of complex biological sequence data.

52 Crossing Borders 2005 International Focus

Knowledge for Tomorrow – Cooperative Research Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa

The Foundation’s funding initiative “Knowledge for Tomorrow – Coopera- Established in 2003 tive Research Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa” seeks to contribute toward Volume of funding up to May 2005: EUR 1.1 million the development and sustainable reinforcement of research in Africa south of the Sahara. This is to be achieved by means of projects that are jointly developed and carried out by African researchers in collaboration Contact: with German partners. Dr. Antje Gunsenheimer Humanities and Social Sciences The program is to enable the new generation of scientists in Africa to Phone: + 49-511-83 81-276 obtain higher qualifications and thus to provide them with an incentive [email protected] to pursue their careers in Africa. The aim of the initiative is to create a substantial partnership between scientists in both North and South and to Dr. Detlef Hanne develop, reinforce and expand inner-African networks in academia. The Natural and Engineering Sciences, Medicine initiative is oriented toward medium to long-term cooperation between Phone: + 49-511-83 81-389 German and African researchers. Funding will be available for projects [email protected] across all disciplines.

In order to identify forward-looking topics for research and to develop innovative research ideas in mutual cooperation with the invited academics, the Volkswagen Foundation is organizing a series of workshops in Africa. The purpose of these meetings will be to review the current status of research, to define pertinent research issues and to explore and develop the potential for collaboration – also inside Africa itself. This processing shall enable African researchers to actively participate in the agenda setting and development of funding instruments of the initiative.

On the basis of these results the Foundation develops thematically defined calls for pre-proposals. Current topics and deadlines of these calls are published on the Foundation’s homepage. Proposals are open to all – regardless of participation in the workshops. As a rule applications follow a two-step procedure. First, initial project outlines are assessed by an international and interdisciplinary panel of experts. Following a positive evaluation, applicants are invited to submit a detailed application. When submitting their outline proposals, applicants may also apply for the funding of meetings which may become necessary for the joint elaboration of detailed proposals together with the project partner. Exchanging views on the future of African The first four workshops took place in 2004 and subsequently resulted in science with workshop participants in Kenia the first calls for proposals in 2004 and 2005: and on the Cape Verde Islands: the Foundation’s program managers Dr. Antje ● “Political, Economic, and Social Dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa” Gunsenheimer (top, right) and Dr. Detlef Hanne (bottom, second from left). ● “Communicable Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa – from the African Bench to the Field”

Crossing Borders 2005 53 ● “Resources, their Dynamics and Sustainability – Capacity-Development in Comparative and Integrated Approaches”

● “Violence, its Impact, Coping Strategies, and Peace Building“

For the year 2006 the Foundation is planning two additional workshops dealing with the thematic areas of “Understanding Culture as a Process of Negotiation” and the interrelation of “Resources, Livelihood Management, Reforms and Processes of Structural Change”.

Within its Africa initiative the Foundation funds workshops, symposia, summer schools, fellowships, and research projects. Whereas funding for scholarly meetings may be applied for at any time, the funding of projects is subject to the conditions and dates prescribed in the calls for proposals. Applications may be submitted for personnel and non-personnel costs as well as travel costs, in particular for African project partners.

Collaborating to set up a joint research project in Niamey, Niger, (back row, from left): Dr. Mahaman Tidjani Alou (Director of the LASDEL research Institute, Niamey, Niger), Dr. Moussa Djiré (lecturer at Bamako University, Mali), Professor Jean-Pierre Olivier de Sardan (LASDEL, Niamey) and Dr. Steve Sampson (University of Legon, Accra, Ghana) – as well as (front, from left) Dr. Nassirou Bako Arifari (Director of LASDEL, Parakou, Benin), Dr. Felix Y. Koné (Institut des Sciences Humaines, Bamako, Mali) and Professor Thomas Bierschenk (Institute for Ethnology and Africa Studies, Mainz).

54 Crossing Borders 2005 Between Europe and the Orient – A Focus on Research and Higher Education in/on Central Asia and the Caucasus

This funding initiative aims at drawing the region of Central Asia and the Established in 1999 Caucasus closer to the center of attention. It focuses on those states in Volume of funding up to May 2005: EUR 10.4 million Central Asia and the Caucasus which became independent following the collapse of the Soviet Union, specifically Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgystan. It Contact: also includes Afghanistan and some parts of the Russian Federation in the Dr. Wolfgang Levermann lower Volga (Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, etc.) and the northern Caucasus Humanities and Social Sciences regions. This funding initiative is designed to stimulate interest within the Phone: + 49-511-83 81-212 German scientific community to conduct research into Central Asia and [email protected] the Caucasus as well as to provide active support to research and higher education in the target region by means of scholary exchange with Dr. Matthias Nöllenburg Germany. Natural and Engineering Sciences, Medicine Phone: + 49-511-83 81-290 In accordance with these aims the initiative addresses the humanities and [email protected] social sciences as well as the engineering and natural sciences (including theoretical medicine) and has two sections: the first section provides funding for research projects which investigate the political, socio-economic, cultural or natural characteristics of this region with a view to gaining a better understanding of the complex interplay between these factors. The main focus is to be on current developments as well as transformation processes taking place. The second section aims at intensifying cooperation with scholars and scientists from the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, and to improve the local conditions for research and higher education.

Funding will be made available for projects which involve the active participation of researchers from the target region; they may include scholarships to doctoral candidates or postdocs. In addition, the Foundation may provide funds to support measures to improve the basic conditions for local research and higher education: in this connection the focus should be above all on “partnership projects” consolidating and reinforcing research in the target region, although scholarships and research stays in Germany within the context of research, cooperation, or training may also be funded. Projects aimed at the academic infrastructure in the individual Islam is gaining prominence in everyday life in countries of the region should ideally be structured as pilot projects, to be Kazakhstan; for instance, the wedding photo progressively evaluated and extended step-by-step. Symposia and taken in front of a mosque has a firm place in summer schools are also eligible for funding. For all cooperation projects the marriage celebrations. Now scholars from (including research stays), the respective applications should be submitted the Humboldt University in Berlin together by the German cooperation partner. with colleagues from the region are investigating to what extent the educational work of certain Islamic-Arabic institutions contributes to convergence with the Arabian- Islamic world.

Crossing Borders 2005 55 Unity amidst Variety? Intellectual Foundations and Requirements for an Enlarged Europe

Established in 1999 Despite the fact that the European Union’s process of Eastern expansion, Volume of funding up to May 2005: which was begun after 1989/91 and reached a preliminary peak with the EUR 13.9 million accession of eight East-Central European states in May 2004, is making progress at the political level, unity in Europe is still far off. The converging Contact: Dr. Wolfgang Levermann of “East” and “West” is repeatedly running up against obstacles; mistrust Phone: + 49-511-83 81-212 and ignorance still exist, even the very process of communication is [email protected] thwarted with difficulty. It is in front of this backdrop that the Volkswagen Foundation has dedicated a funding initiative to historical and contempo- rary research into Eastern Europe: research that takes into account the multiplicity and heterogeneity of this cultural area and its historical relations and links to the rest of Europe, but within the context of current issues and problems. The aim is to identify similarities and differences with regard to developments in other parts of Europe and examine processes of mutual influence and the penetration of different cultures. Comparative and interactive studies therefore take priority. The thematic focus encompasses aspects of economic, social and political development as well as issues involving (national, ethnic or confessional) identity, legal traditions, norms and values systems, attitudes and life styles, literature, The long-apparent trend towards seculari- music and art. zation in Europe does not always lead to such a drastic effect as portrayed on this book A number of issues lend themselves to an interdisciplinary approach, and cover. The situation of the church and religion interdisciplinary projects are therefore expressly welcomed. Similarly, the in an expanded Europe is the subject being Foundation places emphasis on proposals that entail cross-border cooper- investigated by a research team at the ation on research. For at least one thing is obvious: research on the foun- European University Viadrina in Frankfurt/ dations of an expanded Europe can not be limited to the national context; Oder. They are assisted by colleagues resident rather, it necessitates an international perspective. For this reason, funding in the countries under observation. will only be made available to support projects that exhibit close cooperation between German researchers and their counterparts in other member states, especially those involving scholars from Eastern Europe. A substantial contribution from project partners in Eastern Europe is expected. This should be evident from their involvement in conceiving the project and submitting the application. Moreover, projects should generate impulses for the reinforcement of academic capacity in Eastern Europe – by means of providing training and funding for junior researchers, for instance. The funding encompasses both personnel as well as non-personnel expenses. It is also possible to fund scientific meetings for a limited number of participants, as well as summer schools that involve the attendance of junior researchers from different countries.

56 Crossing Borders 2005 Documentation of Endangered Languages

Of the estimated 6,500 languages currently spoken world-wide, only one Established in 1999 third will survive the next 100 years. The other two thirds will fall victim Volume of funding up to May 2005: EUR 12.5 million to a process which can be described with the catchphrase ‘cultural globalization’. The death throws of a ‘small language’ begin, for instance, when the first television set appears in a remote village somewhere in the jungle, Contact: Dr. Vera Szöllösi-Brenig transmitting programs only in the official language of the country – which Phone: +49-511-83 81-218 is in effect a foreign language. In some places the development is already [email protected] well underway, for example as the perpetual consequence of a repressive state education system which deliberately and systematically tears the children of indigenous peoples away from their parents, forbidding their speaking their native language. With every language which becomes extinct, a culture dies, too, and with it a whole ‘world’.

Of course, it goes without saying that the program “Documentation of Endangered Languages” funded by the Volkswagen Foundation is incapable of holding up this development. Notwithstanding, what it can do and intends to do is to compile records of these often purely verbal languages before they vanish without trace. The aim is not merely to compile linguistic data in the narrow sense of the word, but also to encompass the linguistic references to the culture, such as myths and fairy tales, for instance, but also those everyday situations of all kinds which bear testimony to the cultural peculiarities of the minority language. The intention is not to compile grammars or lists of vocabulary, but to produce a multimedia collection of data which will permit future research to investigate the widest range of issues possible. For the speaking communities themselves this may present the opportunity to become more aware of their culture, to perceive its own value and possibly to develop material for schools.

Funding can be made available for two purposes. Firstly: for projects with the aim of documenting endangered languages. Applications must include details of the extent to which a language is endangered, its linguistic singularity, and the status of documentation to date. The documentation must be compiled according to the rules laid down for this funding pro- Together with six other languages, the gram. These rules take account of linguistic, technical as well as ethical- endangered Resigaro spoken in a remote juridical aspects. The Foundation expects that the collected data will be region of North-West Amazon constitutes a archived at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen, common cultural complex. Our photograph which is to provide the ‘overall architecture’ for the program. In the case of shows a group of the last people able to international projects, the Foundation places great value on a substantial speak the Resigaro language. cooperation with German partners. Especially doctoral candidates and postdocs from Germany are invited to submit applications. Secondly: funding is also available for symposia, workshops and summer schools that deal with issues surrounding the documentation of endangered languages.

Crossing Borders 2005 57 Thematic Impetus

Complex Materials: Cooperative Projects of the Natural, Engineering and Biosciences

Established in 2000 The advance of new materials has always been closely connected with the Volume of funding up to May 2005: cultural development of mankind. Thus, the production of ceramics her- EUR 18.6 million alded the beginning of the Neolithic Age and the discovery of alloy hard- ening marked the transition from the Copper Age to the Bronze Age. Contact: Dr. Franz Dettenwanger In modern times, reinforced concrete, polymers and silicon have been Phone: + 49-511-8381-217 among the most important materials innovations. New materials hold the [email protected] promise of enabling miniaturization, weight savings, improved environmental and bio-compatibility, as well as reduced consumption of natural resources and energy supplies – at the same time possessing optimizing structural and functional properties. In order to meet all the high demands on future materials we should not be content with pursuing the advancement of proven approaches within the classic disciplines of materials science, but also take advantage of the knowledge and experience gained in other fields, including the biosciences. Analogue to the biosynthesis of materials in living nature, present-day materials research is working toward the control of matter down to the minutest microscopic detail. The research strategies exhibiting the greatest potential in this respect are molecular recognition, biomimetic principles, chemical self-organization, and physical methods of interfacial design.

In view of this the Volkswagen Foundation has established this funding initiative aimed at providing support for interdisciplinary cooperation projects in the field of materials science. It has its main focus on complex Scientists in Potsdam together with their materials possessing new functions based on structures in the 10 to colleagues in Munich and Bremen are 100 nm range and may also include projects which have as their objective producing multifunctional polymer capsules the combination of biological matter, like proteins or individual cells, with that act as a drug-carrier system transporting engineering materials. The generation of lateral nanostructures at inter- agents directly to diseased parts of the body. faces and the resulting macroscopic functions would also constitute a Dr. Gleb Sukhorukov from the Max Planck possible research topic. Equally eligible would be an analysis of the use of Institute for Colloids and Interfaces in Golm self-organization targeted at materials synthesis. Predictions of material near Potsdam is assisted by Karen Köhler and properties employing simulation and modeling which are closely linked Dr. Oliver Kreft in evaluating images of such with experimental work would also be eligible for funding. “nano-containers” on the computer screen (from left). Apart from scientific meetings, funding is only available for cooperative research projects involving at least two research teams possessing complementary expertise – preferably from two different disciplines. Applica- tions from abroad will also be considered, provided the international cooperation is initiated by a scientific institution within Germany which also takes part in the project. Application for funding is a two-step process. First, only short pre-proposals are solicited, and on the basis of peer review it will be decided upon the suitability for full application.

58 Crossing Borders 2005 Innovative Methods for Manufacturing of Multifunctional Surfaces

Manufacturing of multifunctional surfaces exemplifies a key technology Established in 2003 for the fabrication of future high-tech products. From economic and eco- Volume of funding up to May 2005: EUR 0.02 million logical points of view the idea of integrated production technology, i.e. the consolidation of several different production steps by means of combining existing production procedures or the development of new ones, shows Contact: Dr. Franz Dettenwanger promise. There are numerous applications for highly specialized surfaces Phone: +49-511-83 81-217 like surgical instruments, data carriers, or sensors incorporating surfaces [email protected] which react to light, pressure or temperature. The processes involved in their production, however, are mostly time consuming and cost intensive.

Most manufacturing processes have in common that hitherto the func- tionalization of the surface was achieved by means of a separate production step, usually a final one following on the production of the component itself. Such a sequential production procedure gives rise to considerable economic as well as environmental drawbacks. Thus, the aim of this initiative is to promote the advancement of process-integrated surface technology in joint research projects involving engineers and surface technology specialists. It is expected that the targeted research on innovative and unconventional aspects of production and surface technology will also generate new impulses for the engineering sciences in Germany. Moreover, a successful handling of the complex issues is expected to promote interdisciplinary efforts in this field and to reinforce cooperation among engineers, physicists, chemists, and biologists. A thorough consideration of the whole process chain seems to be essential for a successful approach. This will entail expertise ranging across a spectrum from the surface modification, through the conception of a new production procedure, up to its technical realization.

Only cooperative projects involving researchers with complementary expertise will be eligible for funding. The team is to be led by an engineer. The review of the research proposals is a two-step process, and first only short outlines should be submitted. Based on successful assessment of the outline the Foundation will then accept a full application. Funding of projects may include personnel as well as non-personnel costs; workshops will be supported by the funding of travel expenses.

Crossing Borders 2005 59 New Conceptual Approaches to Modeling and Simulation of Complex Systems

Established in 2003 The funding initiative entitled “New Conceptual Approaches to Modeling Volume of funding up to May 2005: and Simulation of Complex Systems” aims at a better understanding of EUR 3.8 million complex systems by means of theoretical and computer-based approaches. The Foundation intends to enable researchers engaged in theoretical work Contact: Dr. Ulrike Bischler to move ahead with methodological developments and evolve solutions Phone: + 49-511-83 81-350 for computer simulation capable of generalization and systematic improve- [email protected] ment, as well as to explore universal characteristics of complex systems. A main thrust of this initiative is the fostering of cooperation between theoreticians and experts in the fields of modeling and simulation.

The funding initiative makes use of various funding instruments. It is possible, for instance, to support symposia and workshops aimed at networking research scientists, including experts from abroad. Summer schools may be included in the funding as training components. Research scholarships are specifically directed at young researchers from German universities who intend to switch to a new subject or thematic area on completion of their degree or doctoral dissertation. A precondition is that their research be embedded in suitable workgroups based in Germany, although this does not rule out the possibility of funding for temporary stays abroad in order to learn new methods. Professors may also receive funding on an individual basis. In such cases the Foundation offers to fund the costs of deputy teaching for the period of a sabbatical semester. More- over, by calls for project proposals the Foundation focuses on changing Professor Dominik Marx (left) and Dr. Nikos areas involving interdisciplinary research and methods that are expected Doltsinis from the Chair for Theoretical to promote advances in the modeling and simulation of complex systems. Physics at Bochum University.Together with Additionally, selected projects on the formal foundations of complex fellow researchers from Mainz they are systems are funded. seeking to develop new approaches for the computer simulation of supra-molecular The year 2004 saw the first call for proposals within the context of this structures of soft matter. funding initiative. Proposals were invited on the subject of “Computer Simulation of Molecular and Cellular Biosystems as well as Complex Soft Matter”. This met with surprisingly high interest. There will be a further call for proposals in the second half of 2005 on the subject of complex networks as a phenomenon across disciplines.

60 Crossing Borders 2005 Interplay between Molecular Conformations and Biological Function

The conformation and conformational dynamics of biologically relevant Established in 1998 molecules is the key to understanding their function. In 1998 the Volkswa- Volume of funding up to May 2005: EUR 19.4 million gen Foundation set up a funding initiative to support research into respective issues. After undergoing a modification in 2003 this initiative was renamed “Interplay between Molecular Conformations and Biological Contact: Dr. Matthias Nöllenburg Function”; it aims at analyzing, modulating and controlling conforma- Phone: + 49-511-83 81-290 tional states in biological systems. High priority will be awarded to a com- [email protected] bination of synthetic chemistry, structural analyses and functional studies. The inclusion of synthetic chemistry is a strict requirement for funding. Of particular interest are innovative approaches directed to investigating and influencing biological functions.

As in the past, the funding initiative intends to foster interdisciplinary research at the interface between chemistry and biosciences. It is expected that in particular junior scientists are encouraged to participate in interdisciplinary cooperative projects. One of the objectives pursued by the Foun- dation is to bring about an overdue reorientation of organic chemistry in Germany since in other countries trends towards a more functionally oriented discipline are further advanced.

Funding of personnel and non-personnel costs including travel expenses will be made available for cooperation projects which involve workgroups representing different thematic or methodological orientations. Researchers participating in funded projects may receive financial support to stay with other workgroups involved in their project either in Germany or abroad. Biologist Dr. Beatrix Süß (right and left, In addition, funding may be made available for symposia and summer center) and her team – PhD students Anke schools. Hunsicker and Michael Müller, as well as Martin Janchez and Julia Weigand (from left) – want to investigate the functioning of the RNA switch using methods of biochemical analysis.

Crossing Borders 2005 61 Evolutionary Biology

Established in 2005 The aim of the funding initiative “Evolutionary Biology”, which the Foun- dation set up in 2005, is to strengthen this area which is presently still Contact: Dr. Henrike Hartmann underrepresented at German universities. Evolutionary biology is con- Phone: + 49-511-83 81-376 cerned with the development and modification of organisms throughout [email protected] the earth’s history. Especially the causes and mechanisms leading to speci- ation are of interest. The origin and development of the diversity of species represents one of the greatest challenges to basic research in the field of biology. Since the concepts of evolutionary biology are universally applicable and can therefore be adapted to different systems, they are also of immediate relevance to modern life sciences.

By means of this funding initiative the Volkswagen Foundation seeks above all to improve the education and perspectives for junior scientists working in this field. It is also intended to reinforce networking between German evolutionary biologists and their colleagues in other countries. In order to achieve these objectives the initiative provides a framework of five modules:

● A competition to reinforce the structural grounding of evolutionary biology at German universities This will enable German universities to apply for support of their specific curricular concepts.

● Support for PhD students and postdocs This offer is especially directed at young scientists resident in Germany with a different scientific background looking for new challenges in the field of evolutionary biology. Scientists returning to Germany who have already worked in evolutionary biology are also eligible for funding.

● Visiting professors and lecturers The Foundation supports visiting professors for a maximum duration of twelve months.

● Symposia or symposia series The proposed symposia should include active participation on the part of junior scientists. Series of symposia resulting in overlapping participation are intended to promote the building of networks.

● Summer schools, summer school series and staff exchange These elements serve to encourage training and further education in the different subsectors of evolutionary biology. Here, too, a substantial number of participants should be resident in Germany.

62 Crossing Borders 2005 Social and Cultural Challenges

Future Issues of our Society – Analysis, Advice and Communication between Academia and Practice

When it comes to finding solutions to the ecological, social and cultural Established in 2002 issues of our time mankind is faced with a multiplicity of challenges. That Volume of funding up to May 2005: EUR 7.6 million the Volkswagen Foundation should also play its part in resolving such issues goes without saying. It is part of the Foundation’s very identity to become involved in areas in which society and politics – quite properly – turn to Contact : Dr. Alfred Schmidt academia for support. Hence, this funding initiative was set up with the Phone: +49-511-83 81-237 intention of promoting socio-political learning processes in science, politics E-Mail: [email protected] and the public sphere combined with application-oriented fundamental research. In order to explore new bridgings between science and practice the Foundation has built its funding initiative around specific calls for proposals: the following summarizes the three thematic areas covered so far.

Study Groups on Migration and Integration

The aim of this funding offer is to encourage a necessary reshaping of immigration policy in Germany towards a policy of real integration. It is up to research to focus on the structural potential for the integration of migrants in European society. To bring about change of perspective it is necessary to develop a medium-term strategy which will utilize, strengthen and network existing competencies in Germany and its neighboring countries. In this respect, focused and relevant research can make a contribution to the public debate surrounding the issue. Success will depend to a great extent on researchers undertaking their investigations in dialogue with practitioners in the field. Study groups are seen as especially suitable instruments to achieve these goals. In order to be eligible for funding, study groups must be able to show that they bundle capabilities from a variety of disciplines and fields of practice relevant for their project. A second call for proposals for “Study Groups on Migration and Integration” will be announced at the end of 2005. The educational opportunities and lifestyles of the second generation of Turkish immi- Welfare State Transformation: Bridging the Gap grants in a total of eight European cities are between Theory and Practice the focus of research within an international cooperation project. About 150 youths of The aim of this call for proposals is to break down the traditional partition- Turkish ethnic origin passed their university ing facing young researchers between career patterns in academia on the entrance examination (Abitur) in Berlin one hand, and practice on the other. For the one part, researchers are to be in 2004. given the opportunity to gain experience in the practice with suitable organizations; this also extends to stays at European and international organizations. For the other part, suitably qualified staff working for such organizations are to receive an insight into fundamental research. The subject matter under review must be connected with issues surrounding

Crossing Borders 2005 63 transformation of the welfare state in Germany, yet within an international context. The program runs until 2007.

European Foreign and Security Policy Studies

Together with its partner foundations Compagnia di San Paolo in Turin and Riksbankens Jubileumsfond in Stockholm, in 2004 the Volkswagen Foundation introduced this first research and training program to be jointly coordinated and supported by funding organizations across Europe. The program focuses on Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and on European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). With their joint initiative the three foundations want to strengthen the European dimension in the qualification of the next generation of intellectual leaders and security experts. The dominance of national approaches to international security in large parts of the academic debate and day-to-day politics should recede in favor of a transnational perspective. The initiative will give European researchers and young professionals opportunities to conduct research at European institutions, and to build networks through workshops and other public events, thereby making an impact on the wider debate in the field of foreign and security policies. Within the thematic framework applicants can freely choose their research topics. Starting in 2005 and running foreseeably until 2009, each year between 20 and 25 grants will be awarded for postgraduate and postdoctoral research.

An offer initiated by the three foundations to fund research and training for young academics and professionals in the field of European Foreign and Security Policy has met with keen interest. The “Young Faces Conference” held in Berlin was the scene of intense debate – and led to the first awards.

64 Crossing Borders 2005 Innovation Processes in Economy and Society

The aim of the initiative is to encourage and intensify interdisciplinary Established in 2001 innovation research. The subject matter may deal either with the inter- Volume of funding up to May 2005: EUR 5.2 million and counteraction of the actors in government, society, enterprises and academia, or the projects and meetings may concentrate on the technical, social, organizational, political and cultural prerequisites and determinants Contact: Prof. Dr. Hagen Hof of innovation processes. Alternatively, research projects may also deal Phone: +49-511-83 81-256 with the effects and consequences of such processes on culture, the eco- [email protected] nomy, politics and society at large, including non-intentional side effects. Comparisons of different processes as well as historical analyses are also welcome.

In order to achieve synergy effects, maximum use should be made of combining the different approaches to innovation processes unlocked by the single disciplines. In view of the growing international intertwinement between the economy, politics and law of different societies, the Founda- tion places great emphasis on international cooperation of researchers submitting applications.

In the course of current funding practice, considerable difficulty has arisen in particular with regard to the very different use of the term “innovation”. There is agreement inasmuch as the objects of research have to represent a fundamental reorientation. The main thrust of the research must refer to the innovation processes as such, i.e. the way in which innovation unfolds or fails. This is never a linear process, rather, it is a process characterized by the interrelations between different actors, factors and framework conditions, and by breaks and loops, too. At the Institute for Social Research at the University of Frankfurt/Main research is being The funding of interdisciplinary cooperation is one of the Foundation’s conducted on the consequences of innovation brand marks, and it is stamped on many of its funding initiatives. Never- in the semiconductor industry, for instance theless, interdisciplinary research, applying not least to innovation research, the relocation of product development and is still far from commonplace in Germany. In particular the research on design to China. Our photo shows a female innovation processes, though, requires the crossing of borders of tradi- worker at a chip producer in Shanghai. tional fields of research – for instance, when the development of techno- logical innovation should be accompanied by psychological and sociological investigation into its consequences.

Thus, funding is available for projects on the basis of interdisciplinary collaboration. Prior to submitting completed applications, it is recom- mended first to furnish the Foundation with an outline of the proposed project. Junior researchers who plan stays at institutes conducting research in fields other than their own, both in Germany as well as in other countries, are also eligible for support. Moreover, symposia and summerschools may be applied for.

Crossing Borders 2005 65 Key Issues in the Humanities – Program for the Promotion of Interdisciplinary and International Cooperation

Established in 1998 With “Key Issues in the Humanities” the Volkswagen Foundation would Volume of funding up to May 2005: like to provide incentives and funding for the further development of both EUR 12.7 million the contents and structure of research in this area. The aim is to offer the humanities greater scope for involvement in interdisciplinary and interna- Contact: Dr. Vera Szöllösi-Brenig tional cooperation than has been the case to date, concentrating on sub- Phone: + 49-511-8381-218 jects that will create resonance and interest beyond the humanities them- [email protected] selves. The ultimate objective here is to enhance the image of the humanities, increasing recognition and improving links with the public at large. The Foundation makes no attempt to define what these “key issues” should be, leaving the precise formulation of the problem areas and issues to be investigated to the initiative and creativity of the participating scholars. It will be entirely up to them to convince the Foundation that their chosen topic of research can only be investigated sensibly within a framework of interdisciplinary and international cooperation, thus complying with the stringent requirements and criteria of the program. Within this context, the Foundation assigns particular importance to a convincing presentation and communication of the collated results to both academic circles and the interested public. The initiative will be overseen by a panel of interdisciplinary and international experts.

Funding is available for interdisciplinary research groups, ideally compris- ing members of different nationality. The group should be embedded in a German university, or otherwise envisage a close cooperation with a university in Germany. Funds may be granted for personnel costs, especially for junior scholars, and for guest researchers (from abroad), and also to cover non-personnel costs and travel expenses. There will be a two-stage selection process. First, an initial “outline” of the proposed project has to be approved: this will be followed by an invitation to submit a more detailed and formal application. Support is initially available for three years, rising to a maximum of five years where considered appropriate.

The international team put together by Professor Barry Smith (top, sixth from right) at Saarbrücken University assists him on his current cooperation project on “Forms of Life”. The cooperating researchers from Leipzig University are Professor Pirmin Stekeler-Weithofer from the Institute for Philosophy (center) and Professor Heinz Sass (bottom, second from left) with his team at the Chair for Genetics.

66 Crossing Borders 2005 Off the Beaten Track

Extraordinary Projects

Even though the funding policy of the Volkswagen Foundation is to set Volume of funding priorities with defined initiatives, we are still “open for extraordinary in 2004 and up to May 2005: EUR 4.2 million ideas“ which fall outside the normal scope of funding, i.e. individual projects which are worthy of support due to exceptional circumstances. Two examples that qualified for funding in 2004 illustrate the type of Contact: according to subject area projects which may fall within this category: Phone: + 49-511-83 81-0 [email protected] What is the connection between increasing media consumption and the sharp drop in school performance observed over recent years, especially in the case of boys? What are the negative effects on their learning ability and the development of individual intelligence, on their interpersonal contacts and social behavior? These issues are currently being researched by five cooperating partners working on the project “Media Degeneracy: A Cause of School Failure?”. The interdisciplinary project is led by Professor Christian Pfeiffer of the Criminological Research Institute of Lower Saxony located in Hanover.

Recent studies have revealed that boys’ school performance in Germany has worsened since the nineties. Excessive media consumption is seen to be a key influencing factor, most boys occupying themselves for over four hours a day with one form of media or another – especially action films and computer games depicting emotionally disturbing scenes of brutality. What effect does media consumption have A cooperative project that encompasses the fields of empirical social on school performance? This is the question research, media pedagogy, brain research and neurobiology, memory posed by researchers working on an interdis- psychology and educational psychology is now carrying out the first sys- ciplinary project under the auspices of the tematic investigation into the correlation between media consumption Criminological Research Institute of Lower and school performance. Saxony. Especially young boys are so fasci- nated by computer games that they try Three teams of research scientists – based in Heidelberg, Mannheim, and them out immediately when displayed at Munich – are responsible for the “Project GRACE: Astrophysical Computer trade fairs (photo). Simulations Using Programmable Hardware”,whose aim is to build a high- performance computer for specific applications in the area of astrophysical simulations. Such model calculations are indispensable for gaining a better understanding of how galaxies and stars evolve including their sub- structure such as black holes. Yet, computational astrophysics is hardly able to keep pace with the rapid advance of scientific knowledge being churned out by observational astronomy.

The new computer architecture has been specifically optimized for the simulation of star and galaxy evolution. Key elements are hardware boards from Japanese collaborators and newly developed programmable hardware. The project teams also intends to develop improved algorithms and to compare the results of computer simulation with observation data.

Crossing Borders 2005 67

Funding Principles

As a non-profit foundation organized under private law, the Volkswagen Foundation must ensure that the funds it spends on the support of higher education and research are used economically and in accordance with the rules. Therefore, please note the following Funding Principles. Funding Principles

The Volkswagen Foundation assumes that the funds The Foundation remits amounts called only to an it makes available, subject to these principles, will be account of the institution of the recipient of the managed in accordance with the rules and regulations grant; in universities and other institutions under applying to the grant recipient. (Grant recipients of the public law, remittances are made to the responsible Foundation funding are principally academic institu- cashier’s office. tions where the project / subproject is being conducted and not the legal entity of the applicant.) In the case (3) Funds paid out and, for the time being, not used as of universities, these will be the principles applying to expected, shall be remitted back immediately and the management of third party funds. called again when needed. To make up for lost interest, the Foundation shall have the right in The grant recipient must ensure that these principles such cases to claim interest based on the statutory along with any further communicated special condi- interest rate for the time between the payment of tions are acknowledged and observed by the all parties funds and their return remittance or use for the involved in the funding project while handling the purpose for which they were granted. grant (e.g. staff members, contractors, publishers, authors, editors, transacting cash offices). (4) The funds granted are not confined to budget years and will not expire at the end of a calendar Please note: Those parts, which do not regularly apply year. to grant recipients outside the Federal Republic of Germany are omitted in the English translation. The grant will be subject to the laws of the Federal 2. Efficiency Republic of Germany. Any court action in connection with the grant comes under the jurisdiction of a (1) The recipient of a grant may defray from the funds Hannover court. allocated only such expenditures as are covered by the specific purpose defined in the grant letter. Expenditures made before the receipt of the grant A. Calling of Funds, General Principles letter cannot be covered in this way. of Management (2) The funds shall be used efficiency. Only in excep- 1. Calling of Funds tional cases (especially as a result of collective salary and wage increases or price increases which (1) The funds required shall be applied for as early as cannot be absorbed by cutbacks elsewhere) can possible, in general at least six weeks in advance the Foundation increase those funds, and do (on the form attached which is also stored on our so upon substantiated request. homepage). Any changes should be communicated without delay. (3) Funds not consumed shall be paid back immediately, at the latest by the time documentation of (2) The Foundation in principle remits the funds in the use of funds is supplied. monthly installments at the time and in the amount needed for the purpose for which they have been granted. Hence, the plan under which 3. Deviations from Grant funds are called should provide for monthly requests. If monthly installments are below 5,000 €, (1) Reallocation of the granted funds the requirement of three months may be called in If the grant letter (or the underlying cost plan ) lists advance. several expense items, each individual item* may be augmented by up to 30 percent if required.

70 Crossing Borders 2005 However, such reallocations presuppose that the (2) Social benefits and other fringe benefits (e.g. extra expenditures are necessary in order to employer’s contribution for the statutory social achieve the grant purpose and that other items security, cost-sharing or contributions to the addi- can be saved. tional old-age provisions and provisions for dependents, benefits in the event of sickness, Under these conditions, and within the staff com- Christmas benefits, not the child benefit pursuant plement underlying the grant, personnel funds to the Federal German Child Benefit Act) in accor- may be increased by more than 30 percent where dance with the rules and regulations applying to this is unavoidable due to subsequent collective civil service may be paid out of funds earmarked wage and salary increases or for other reasons. for personnel expenses if the staff member concerned is paid in accordance with the same rules The Foundation retains the right from the outset also in other respects. In regard to the payment of to exclude the possibility of reallocating personnel transition benefits, this applies however with the allowances as non-personnel costs in certain cases. proviso that solely the timeframe during which the position has been paid for out of the funds of (2) Extension of term the Foundation will be considered for the determi- Deviations from the running term require the nation of the transition benefit. previous consent of the Foundation. However, this does not apply to a maximum six-month deviation (3) Unless a regular employment contract has already from the planned funding period on the condition been concluded, the Foundation requires that a that this does not cause the Volkswagen Founda- written service contract be concluded which tion to incur additional costs. equates to the project running term named in the grant letter. In no case will the Foundation become the employer of anybody on grants made available B. Principles Applying to by it. Specific Types of Cost

4. Personnel Funds 5. Travelling Funds

(1) Remunerations shall be adapted to the activity (1) Travelling expenses shall be accounted for in and to local (institute) conditions. The recipient accordance with the rules of travelling cost of a grant shall be responsible for determining reimbursement applying to civil service, but not in proper grading (according to collective agree- excess of the rates requested and appropriated. ments); the gradings indicated in the grant letter Foreign receivers of grants shall follow the rules for (or in the funding principles) are upper limits. travelling expense accounting valid in their respective countries.

(2) The Foundation may fix certain basic rates to finance stays in Germany of foreign scientists. Travelling and per diem allowances for foreign scholars staying in Germany may be subject to special rates. *Expense items for the purposes of this paragraph are the total funds granted for scientific personnel, additional personnel, travelling expenses, other running non-personnel costs, equipment costs, costs of other non-recurring purchase.

Crossing Borders 2005 71 6. Equipment tion, then the Foundation expects that the equipment can be taken to the new institution. The (1) Unless the Foundation indicates differently, the Foundation reserves the right, in these cases or for procurement of equipment authorized is left to another important reason, to request a transfer of the recipient of a grant. The recipient shall bear in title to a third party it names or to itself. This shall mind the following aspects in such procurements: apply in particular where somebody collaborating in a project in a responsible position changes to (a) All possibilities of obtaining price reductions, another institution. especially research commissions or discounts, shall be exploited, if necessary by working (2) These items shall be recorded in inventory lists, through central purchasing agencies. unless they belong in the category of supplies or very small items. Larger objects are to be furnished (b)Several competing bids shall be sought for with a clearly visible reference (legend, plate, larger items; the reasons for the choice made stamp) indicating that they were purchased from shall be documented. funds made available by the Volkswagen Founda- tion. Literature purchased from Foundation funds (c) If, in the light of more recent findings, equip- shall be marked accordingly with a bookplate. ment of a design different from that granted is (Plates and bookplates can be ordered on the order to be purchased, no advance consent of the form enclosed where applicable.) Foundation needs to be obtained (within the limits of 3 above). (3) The recipient of a grant has the right to sell the items if they are no longer used for their intended (d) The decisions made on the items above shall purpose or can no longer be used. The proceeds be described in the documentation of the use from such sales shall be remitted to the Founda- of funds and in the final report, respectively. tion, unless they are needed within the purpose of the grant or, if this purpose has been met, for (2) The recipient of a grant shall be responsible for other scientific purposes. ensuring proper utilization, storage and maintenance of the equipment along with taking out insu- (4) The above rules shall apply accordingly to items rance for the equipment. The Foundation shall not purchased from the proceeds of such sale. be responsible for paying any running costs (e.g., for power consumption, insurance, maintenance, (5) If movable chattels are acquired which are durably repair, and spare parts). attached to the ground (thus becoming integral parts), the conditions listed under 8 below shall (3) The equipment shall also be available to other apply. scientific institutions inasmuch as this does not interfere with the purpose of the grant. 8. Title to Land and Buildings

7. Title to Movable Chattels (1) The recipient institution of a grant becomes the owner of land and buildings purchased or erected (1) Movable chattels (equipment, books, motor vehi- with the funds granted. In case of use for different cles, ect.) purchased out of the funds granted shall purposes (deviation from the purpose outlined in become the property of the recipient institution of the grant letter with reference to the basis for the the grant. If a person collaborating in a project in a grant) it shall repay to the Foundation that part of responsible position changes to another institu- the current value that corresponds to the grant

72 Crossing Borders 2005 paid by the Foundation in proportion to the total (2) In projects only partly funded by the Foundation production costs. If the property is sold at a price the documentation shall include a statement of higher than the current value, the proceeds of such the total expenditures and the funds available for sale shall replace the current value. the whole project.

(2) In general, the claim for compensation under (1) (3) Income and expenditures accounted for shall be above shall be secured by entering in the Land covered by documents capable of auditing. Vouch- Register an encumbrance in the amount of the ers or copies of vouchers shall be kept ready for an grant appropriated or a comparable real security. audit, but shall be sent to the Foundation only on special request. (3) Land and buildings should be marked by a clearly visible reference (legend, plate) in an appropriate (4) The Foundation reserves the right to audit the place indicating that they were acquired or built statement of account, or have it audited, on the with funds made available by the Volkswagen spot. Foundation.

(4) This condition shall apply accordingly to acquisi- 11. Reports tions of titles equivalent to real properties. (1) If the project extends two years or more, the Foundation expects annual interim reports. 9. Publication Costs (2) The Foundation is to be presented with the final Along with the customary publication of books report promptly after completion of the project. or in magazines, the Foundation also subsidizes digital publications (e.g. CD-ROM, DVD, open access). The notes pertaining to the drafting of interim To this end, the Foundation may make an appro- and final reports are to be observed. priate flat-rate funding amount available after a grant request and estimation of the preliminary (3) Above and beyond these reporting duties the costs by the grant recipient. The Foundation is to recipient of the grant is required to inform the be presented with a voucher copy after publication Foundation, without being asked, of all events and the final bill within the framework of the strongly influencing the project. This applies in audit of allocated funds. particular, if conditions for the implementation of the project or its objectives appear to be jeo- pardized. C. Statement of Account, Reports, Publications 12. Publications 10. Statement of Account (1) In principle, all publications are to be furnished (1) The statement of account shall be submitted in with the annotation „Funded by Volkswagen principle promptly after the funding measures Foundation“. Indications to this effect should also have been completed; partial accounts shall be be made in invitations, programs (of scientific rendered on request. The recipient of a grant will events sponsored), or press releases. be sent printed forms for such documentation in due course.

Crossing Borders 2005 73 (2) The Foundation attaches great value to the results 13. Public Relations Activities of projects funded by it being made available to the public, in particular through publications in The Volkswagen Foundation places value on cross-referenced scientific journals as well as in having the grant recipient communicate the open access media. project supported by the Foundation by means of active press and public relations activity. All (3) The Foundation assumes that any questions public relations activities affecting the project concerning publication along with exploitation must contain an indication of the support by the and utilization rights with respect to the copyright Volkswagen Foundation – where possible with protected publication, exploitation, and use of incorporation of the Foundation logo. All elaborate research results will be settled by the partners activities should be cleared with the persons in involved before the project starts in accordance charge of PR for the Foundation; in principle, the PR with the rules of good research practice. Unit should be informed of all public relations activities relating to the funded project. The Volks- (4) The Foundation requests that one voucher copy wagen Foundation retains the right to bring the of each publication be mailed to it as soon as grant recipient’s project and its own funding possible. decision to the attention of the public eye. For this purpose, the grant recipient is to provide the Foundation with current meaningful text and photographic material upon request. (5) The Foundation moreover asks that one copy each of research reports and similar publications not distributed through booksellers, which are the D. Miscellaneous result of a project funded, be sent to 14. Withdrawal, Recall, Cancellation – to the supraregional technical informations system / library that holds the appropriate (1) The Foundation may withdraw a grant if it has not special subject collection been claimed at least in part within two years (from the date of the grant letter). – the „Spezialsammlung deutsche Forschungs- berichte“ at Technische Informationsbibliothek (2) The Foundation reserves the right to recall a grant Hannover, Welfengarten 1 B, 30167 Hannover, and reclaim funds paid out in cases where funding Germany (www.tib.uni-hannover.de), principles or any special conditions added are not observed, especially in cases where the funding – and to the respective university library. decision is based on incorrect statements, funds are not used in accordance with the intended purposes or the use of funds is not documented.

(3) Moreover, the Foundation reserves the right to cancel the funding of a project for important reasons. This applies also if important conditions for the implementation of the project have ceased to exist or the objectives of the project no longer appear to be attainable. Handling of the obliga- tions incurred by the recipient of a grant is to be

74 Crossing Borders 2005 arranged at the given time between said recipient (3) The Foundation may claim from such income and the Foundation by special agreement. repayment of its grant plus reasonable interest or an adequate share. (4) In order to make up for a loss of interest, the Foun- dation may demand interest based on the statu- (4) This shall apply to income from publications (lec- tory interest rate for the period from the time of tures, articles, books) only if expressly stated in the the disbursement of the funding until the re-trans- grant letter or any special conditions added. fer of the funding. (5) The Foundation principally assumes no costs for the process of patent application or patent protec- 15. Protective Clauses, Exclusion of Liability tion.

(1) The recipient of a grant shall be responsible for observing the pertinent legal rules and regulations, official instructions and safety regulations (also in equipment operating instructions). He undertakes to observe all rules and conventions applying in specific research areas (e.g., the Helsinki declaration about planning and imple- menting medical and clinical experiments on humans) or considered as standards such as rules governing good research practice.

(2) The Foundation shall not be liable for any damage arising from the implementation of the project funded. In case it were to be made liable for such damage, it shall be held harmless by the recipient of the grant.

16. Sharing in Economic Profits

(1) The Foundation expects that – in accordance with the respective intellectual property regulations – the exploitation of any potential invention that may result from the research project will be agreed upon between the partners before the beginning of the project.

(2) If economic profits, cost reimbursement or other income (including those from patents) arise directly from the project funded without, however, any expenses being set off, the Foundation shall be informed as soon as possible.

Crossing Borders 2005 75

Who’s Who

The following pages contain information on who is responsible for what at the Volkswagen Foundation and on the members of the Board of Trustees. An overview of the Foundation’s organizational structure is presented inside the back cover. Office

Dr. Wilhelm Krull is the Secretary General and heads the Office.

Executive staff

Katja Ebeling is responsible for Coordination, Legal Affairs, Cooperation with Foundations and Associations.

Torsten Breden is Assistant to the Secretary General and responsible for the Support for Board of Trustees as well as Cooperation with Research Organizations and Universities.

Dr. Christian Jung is responsible for Press and Public Relations.

78 Crossing Borders 2005 Division I

Dr. Indra Willms-Hoff Dr. Detlef Hanne heads Division I, is responsible for the funding Natural and Engineering initiative ‘Knowledge for Sciences, Medicine. Tomorrow – Cooperative Re- search Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa’ (within the scope of Division I) and the subject areas earth sciences and environmental sciences (Division I).

Dr. Ulrike Bischler is responsible for the funding Dr. Henrike Hartmann initiative ‘New Conceptual is responsible for the funding Approaches to Modeling and initiative ‘Evolutionary Biology’ Simulation of Complex Sys- and in charge of the subject tems’ as well as the area areas human biology and physics. neurosciences.

Dr. Matthias Nöllenburg Dr. Franz Dettenwanger is concerned with the funding is responsible for the funding initiatives ‘Between Europe initiatives ‘Complex Materials: and the Orient – A Focus on Cooperative Projects of the Research and Higher Educa- Natural, Engineering and tion in/on Central Asia and Biosciences’ and ‘Innovative the Caucasus’ (subject areas Methods for Manufacturing Division I) and ‘Interplay of Multifunctional Surfaces’, between Molecular Conforma- as well as the subject areas tions and Biological Function’ engineering sciences and as well as the areas plant mathematics. biology, zoology.

Dr. Anja Fließ Dr. Cornelius Schmaltz is in charge of the funding is responsible for the funding initiative ‘Lichtenberg Profes- initiative ‘Symposia and sorships’ (general questions Summer Schools’ (general and subject areas Division I) questions) as well as the as well as the areas chemistry subject area medicine. and biochemistry.

Crossing Borders 2005 79 Division II

Prof. Dr. Axel Horstmann Dr. Wolfgang Levermann heads Division II, is responsible for the funding Humanities and Social initiative ‘Unity amidst Sciences,‘Niedersächsisches Variety? – Intellectual Founda- Vorab’ and is responsible for tions and Requirements for an the funding initiative ‘Focus on Enlarged Europe’.Within the the Humanities’. funding initiative ‘Between Europe and the Orient – A Focus on Research and Higher Dr. Marcus Beiner Education in/on Central Asia is in charge of the funding ini- and the Caucasus’ he is in tiative ‘Lichtenberg Professor- charge of the subject areas of ships’ (subject areas Division II). Division II as well as of general He is also responsible for the questions. Furthermore he is areas philosophy, theology, responsible for the areas psychology, sociology. history and geography.

Dr. Antje Gunsenheimer Dr. Alfred Schmidt is responsible for general is in charge of the funding ini- questions concerning the tiative ‘Future Issues of our funding initiative ‘Knowledge Society – Analysis, Advice and for Tomorrow – Cooperative Communication between Research Projects in Sub- Academia and Practice’, and Saharan Africa’ (and areas the subject areas political Division II). She is also responsi- science, economics, forestry ble for the areas ethnology, and agro sciences. folklore studies, ancient and non-European languages and cultures. Dr. Vera Szöllösi-Brenig is responsible for the funding initiative ‘Key Issues in the Humanities – Program for the Prof. Dr. Hagen Hof Promotion of Interdisciplinary is responsible for the funding and International Cooperation’. initiative ‘Innovation Processes She is also in charge of the in Economy and Society’. funding initiative ‘Documenta- He is also in charge of the tion of Endangered Languages’, ‘Niedersächsisches Vorab’, and the subject areas Euro- and the subject areas law, pean languages and literature, architecture, urban/rural art and musicology, media planning and development, studies. environmental sciences (Division II) and education.

80 Crossing Borders 2005 Division III Division IV

Henning Otto Dieter Lehmann heads Division III, heads Division IV, Finance and Administration. Investment Management.

Sibylle Mitscherling Carolin Bensch is in charge of the Section is responsible for Accounting and Controlling. the Section Shares.

Rosemarie Kurant Dr. Andreas Bodemer is responsible for the Section is in charge of the Section Audit of Allocated Funds and Interest-bearing Securities, Internal Administration. Cash Management.

Christina Fallnacker Dr. Martina Pörschke is in charge is responsible for the Section of Human Resources. Real Property.

Michael Maaß is responsible for the Section Information and Communica- tion Systems.

Crossing Borders 2005 81 The Board of Trustees

The Foundation’s Board of Trustees Lutz Stratmann (Chairperson), Minister of Science and Culture in Lower comprises 14 members, of whom Saxony, Hanover seven are appointed by the Edelgard Bulmahn (Vice Chairperson), Federal Minister for Education and Federal Government and seven by Research, Bonn/Berlin the State of Lower Saxony.Their Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. Klaus Brockhoff (Vice Chairperson), WHU Koblenz term of office is five years and they Graduate School of Management may be reappointed only once. The Board of Trustees is autonomous Professor Dr. Klaus J. Bade, Institute for Migration, Research and and bound only by the Foundation’s Intercultural Studies (IMIS), University of Osnabrück Statutes. Professor Dr. Horst Bredekamp, Department of Art History, Humboldt- University, Berlin, and Permanent Fellow of the Wissenschaftskolleg, Berlin Professor Dr. Friederike Hassauer, Department of Romance Philology, University of Vienna Professor Dr. Brigitte Jockusch, Zoological Institute, Cell Biology, Technical University of Braunschweig Professor Dr. Katharina Kohse-Höinghaus, Physical Chemistry, University of Bielefeld Professor Dr. Wolfgang Kowalsky, Institute of High Frequency Technology, Technical University of Braunschweig Professor Dr. Gerd Litfin, Chief Executive Officer of Linos AG, Göttingen Dr.-Ing. h. c. Bernd Pischetsrieder, Chairman of the Management Board of Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg Heinz Putzhammer, German Trade Union Federation – DGB, Berlin Professor Dr. Luise Schorn-Schütte, History Department, University of Frankfurt/Main Professor Dr. Wolf Singer, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt/Main

The Foundation’s Board of Trustees usually convenes three times a year at the Office in Hanover. In the foreground: Heinz Putz- hammer, German Trade Union Federation – DGB, and Professor Horst Bredekamp, Humboldt-University, Berlin (first and second from right).

82 Crossing Borders 2005 Organization and Contact Telephone +49-5 11-83 81-

Division I: Natural and Engineering Sciences, Medicine Head: Dr. Indra Willms-Hoff /-285 Secretary: Sylvia Vogler /-286

Funding Initiatives Contact Persons

. New Conceptual Approaches to Modeling Dr. Ulrike Bischler/-350 and Simulation of Complex Systems Secretary: Sybille Laas /-248

Subject Area: Physics

. Complex Materials: Cooperative Projects of the Natural, Dr. Franz Dettenwanger/-217 Engineering and Biosciences Secretary: Petra Akrami /-372 . Innovative Methods for Manufacturing of Multifunctional Surfaces

Subject Areas: Engineering Sciences, Mathematics

. Lichtenberg Professorships (Div. I) Dr. Anja Fließ/-374 Secretary: Meike Silberstein /-388 Subject Areas: Chemistry, Biochemistry

. Knowledge for Tomorrow – Cooperative Research Projects Dr. Detlef Hanne /-389 in Sub-Saharan Africa (Div. I) Secretary: Nicole Richter /-227

Subject Areas: Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences (Div. I)

. Evolutionary Biology Dr. Henrike Hartmann/-376 Secretary: Claudia Bleckmann /-375 Subject Areas: Human Biology, Neurosciences

. Between Europe and the Orient – A Focus on Research Dr. Matthias Nöllenburg/-290 and Higher Education in/on Central Asia and the Caucasus (Div. I) Secretary: Daniela Grages /-291 . Interplay between Molecular Conformations and Biological Function

Subject Areas: Plant Biology, Zoology

. Symposia and Summer Schools (basic questions) Dr. Cornelius Schmaltz /-228 Secretary: Claudia Bleckmann /-375 Subject Area: Medicine Division II: Humanities and Social Sciences, Niedersächsisches Vorab Head: Prof. Dr. Axel Horstmann /-214 Secretary: Monika Nesper/-224

Funding Initiatives Contact Persons

. Lichtenberg Professorships (Div. II) Dr. Marcus Beiner/-289 Secretary: Marion Brunk /-226 Subject Areas: Philosophy, Theology, Psychology, Sociology

. Knowledge for Tomorrow – Cooperative Research Projects Dr. Antje Gunsenheimer/-276 in Sub-Saharan Africa (Div. II) Secretary: Ute Steinert/-341

Subject Areas: Ethnology, Folklore Studies, Ancient and Non-European Languages and Cultures

. Innovation Processes in Economy and Society Prof. Dr. Hagen Hof/-256 . Niedersächsisches Vorab Secretary: Simone Künnecke/-255

Subject Areas: Law, Architecture, Urban/Rural Planning and Development, Environmental Sciences (Div. II), Education

. Unity amidst Variety? Intellectual Foundations Dr. Wolfgang Levermann/-212 and Requirements for an Enlarged Europe Secretary: Susanne Klinge/-384 . Between Europe and the Orient – A Focus on Research and Higher Education in/on Central Asia and the Caucasus (Div. II)

Subject Areas: History, Geography

. Future Issues of our Society – Analysis, Advice and Dr. Alfred Schmidt/-237 Communication between Academia and Practice Secretary: Silvia Birck/-246

Subject Areas: Political Science, Economics, Forestry and Agro Sciences

. Key Issues in the Humanities – Program for the Promotion Dr. Vera Szöllösi-Brenig/-218 of Interdisciplinary and International Cooperation Secretary: Kerstin Krüger/-232 . Documentation of Endangered Languages

Subject Areas: European Languages and Literature, Art and Musicology, Media Studies

. Focus on the Humanities Prof. Dr. Axel Horstmann /-214 Secretary: Monika Nesper/-224 Organization and Contact Telephone +49-5 11-83 81-

Secretary General Dr. Wilhelm Krull /-215 Secretary: Annemarie Batschko-Rühmann/-225

Office of the Secretary General • Coordination, Legal Affairs, Cooperation with Foundations Katja Ebeling/-240 and Associations Secretary: Renate Latzel / -200 • Assistant to the Secretary General, Support for Board of Trustees, Torsten Breden /-211 Cooperation with Research Organizations and Universities Secretary: Susanne Grabner / -221 •Evaluation, Strategic Controlling, Internal Revision Dr. Uta Saß/-331 (from August 15, 2005) Secretary: Susanne Grabner / -221

Press and Public Relations Dr. Christian Jung/-38o Secretary: Bettina Seeliger / -381

Division III: Finance and Administration Head: Henning Otto /-219 Secretary: Ingeborg Wollny / -229

Department /Responsibility

• Accounting and Controlling Sibylle Mitscherling/-269 Secretary: Gabriele Darge / -268 • Audit of Allocated Funds, Internal Administration Rosemarie Kurant/ -2o6 Secretary: Sabine Zimmerling / -205 • Human Resources Christina Fallnacker/ -220 Secretary: Claudia Kruse / -371 • Information and Communication Systems Michael Maaß / -366

Division IV: Investment Management Head: Dieter Lehmann / -351 Secretary: Marion Peiß / -352 Margot Jädick-Jäckel / -364

Department /Responsibility

•Shares Carolin Bensch /-354 •Interest-bearing Securities, Cash Management Dr. Andreas Bodemer /-239 • Real Property Dr. Martina Pörschke /-365 VolkswagenStiftung Kastanienallee 35 30519 Hannover Germany

Phone: +49-5 11/83 81-0 Fax: +49-5 11/83 81-344 [email protected] www.volkswagenstiftung.de