Interview & Opinion

In the Interview & Opinion column, renowned scientists and researchers talk about developments and perspectives in the world of science. They reflect on regional and European science policy as well as the support of talents and the importance of innovation in a highly competitive international environment.

Interview & Opinion

“Your bank balance is not the only indicator of creditworthiness”

Interview: Ingrid Ladner

Die Ethnologin Silke Meyer erforscht, welche Bedeutung Geld im Privatleben der Menschen spielt, welche sozialen Funktionen es einnimmt und welche Abhängigkeiten aus Schulden entstehen. Im Interview erklärt sie, wie gesellschaftliche Konventionen den „richtigen“ Umgang mit Geld prägen und was Verschuldung mit Moral zu tun hat. Continue reading ““Your bank balance is not the only indicator of creditworthiness””

Interview & Opinion

Why the smallest organisms play the biggest role

Interview: Isabella Ferenci

Microbiologist Christa Schleper has dedicated her research career to archaea – the tiny unicellular organisms that counted among the first life forms on Earth. The 2022 Wittgenstein Award winner has discovered numerous microorganisms, and specialises in studying the impact of archaea on the nitrogen cycle. Her findings lay the groundwork for determining the impact of […] Continue reading “Why the smallest organisms play the biggest role”

Interview & Opinion

Searching for infinity

Interview: Alois Pumhösel

Mathematician and START Prize winner Sandra Müller analyses various forms of infinity arising from set theory. In doing so, she is attempting to find a closer link between the theory of large cardinal numbers and the axiom of determinacy, two theoretical approaches that seem to share little in common at first glance. Continue reading “Searching for infinity”

Interview & Opinion

Nanostructures that pretend to be lenses and make ultrafast processes visible

Interview: Reinhard Kleindl

Ultrashort pulses can be generated using light from the extreme ultraviolet spectrum, allowing precise measurements to be taken on atomic time scales. However, no suitable lenses exist yet for this light spectrum. Physicist Marcus Ossiander is looking to remedy that shortcoming by using new nano-optics, such as those used in virtual reality goggles, for example. […] Continue reading “Nanostructures that pretend to be lenses and make ultrafast processes visible”

Interview & Opinion

“Researchers are pessimistic about the impact of sanctions”

Interview: Jonas Vogt

The European Union has recently adopted far-reaching sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. The political scientist Katharina Meissner of the University of Vienna has been studying EU sanctions regimes for some time. What has to happen for sanctions to be adopted? And what can we hope they will achieve? Continue reading ““Researchers are pessimistic about the impact of sanctions””

Interview & Opinion

Post-pandemic mobility relaunch for postdocs

Alois Pumhösel

The mobility of researchers has been abruptly interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. Young researchers keen to engage in exchanges with top international researchers have been particularly affected. While helpful during the pandemic, digital cooperation formats will not be able in the long run to replace the wealth of experience gained during stays abroad, such as […] Continue reading “Post-pandemic mobility relaunch for postdocs”