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Potsdam University President Warns Science Is Losing Touch with Society

Drawing on US funding freezes at Harvard, he calls on researchers to align their work with public concerns

Oliver Günther, Präsident der Universität Potsdam
Der Präsident der Universität Potsdam, Oliver Günther steht an einem Rednerpult und spricht - vielleicht über ein Übermaß an Wokeness

Overview

  • Oliver Günther says academics must break out of the ivory tower to tackle real-world challenges and reach non-scientists.
  • He argues that universities’ focus on topics such as diversity, inclusion and gender studies has alienated many outside academia.
  • He warns that US policies under President Trump, which have frozen billions in Harvard funding and propose stricter vetting of foreign students, threaten the foundations of scientific research.
  • Surveys indicate up to 75% of US researchers are considering leaving the country, with Germany emerging as a prime destination for displaced talent.
  • Germany’s Meitner-Einstein and ’1,000 Köpfe’ programs aim to attract top scientists but face hurdles from visa rules and regulatory complexity.