MAX-PLANCK-INSTITUT FÜR WISSENSCHAFTSGESCHICHTE Max Planck Institute for the History of Science

Event

Feb 22, 2017
Fundamental Research and Shaping the Future: "Initiating Change: Sustainability through Research"

3rd event of the lecture and discussion series

Fundamental Research and Shaping the Future

of the Scientific Council of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science

Initiating Change: Sustainability through Research

As scientists, we need to ask ourselves why we do research and what we hope to accomplish—both short and long term. As we rapidly gain insights into ever new and previously inaccessible realms of the world, concerning human evolution and the consequences of human action, the deprivation of our natural and cultural heritage is becoming increasingly apparent. Prominent examples are the rapid loss of languages and indigenous ways of living and the loss of biodiversity through the destruction of habitats. Thus, the debated concept of sustainability—understood as a demand on the present to meet its needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs—grows ever more important.

This event is devoted to the complex relationship between sustainability and research. While on the one hand, research relies on the continuing existence of its objects, on the other, it is often only through research that the awareness for sustainable actions is raised and the necessary knowledge is obtained. In light of the increasing political and ecological challenges, such as climate change and growing political instabilities, the question of what role research plays in the preservation of our natural and cultural heritage in a globally connected world appears to be more pressing than ever.

This discussion round invites colleagues across all sections of the MPG to reflect on these and other profound questions regarding not only their own research, but also the concept of research as a general tool for initiating change.

The conference will be held in English.

17:30—Welcome and Introduction: Jürgen Renn, Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin

  • Florian Wittmann, Institute of Geography and Geoecology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (former member of the Biochemistry Department, Max Planck Insitute for Chemistry, Mainz)
    • "Why Rivers Make the Difference: A Review on the Phytogeography of Amazonian Wetlands"
  • Christophe Boesch & Roman Wittig, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig
    • "Our Ancient Heritage in the Last Forest Remnants"

18:45—Coffee Break and Snacks

  • Paul Heggarty, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena
    • "Our Dying Language Heritage: What Role for Linguistics Research?"

19:30—Discussion Round

 

Lageplan Harnack Haus
Organizer(s)
Address
Harnack-Haus, 14195 Berlin, Deutschland
Room
Goethe Room
2017-02-22T17:30:00SAVE IN I-CAL 2017-02-22 17:30:00 2017-02-22 20:00:00 Fundamental Research and Shaping the Future: "Initiating Change: Sustainability through Research" 3rd event of the lecture and discussion series Fundamental Research and Shaping the Future of the Scientific Council of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science Initiating Change: Sustainability through Research As scientists, we need to ask ourselves why we do research and what we hope to accomplish—both short and long term. As we rapidly gain insights into ever new and previously inaccessible realms of the world, concerning human evolution and the consequences of human action, the deprivation of our natural and cultural heritage is becoming increasingly apparent. Prominent examples are the rapid loss of languages and indigenous ways of living and the loss of biodiversity through the destruction of habitats. Thus, the debated concept of sustainability—understood as a demand on the present to meet its needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs—grows ever more important. This event is devoted to the complex relationship between sustainability and research. While on the one hand, research relies on the continuing existence of its objects, on the other, it is often only through research that the awareness for sustainable actions is raised and the necessary knowledge is obtained. In light of the increasing political and ecological challenges, such as climate change and growing political instabilities, the question of what role research plays in the preservation of our natural and cultural heritage in a globally connected world appears to be more pressing than ever. This discussion round invites colleagues across all sections of the MPG to reflect on these and other profound questions regarding not only their own research, but also the concept of research as a general tool for initiating change. The conference will be held in English. 17:30—Welcome and Introduction: Jürgen Renn, Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin Florian Wittmann, Institute of Geography and Geoecology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (former member of the Biochemistry Department, Max Planck Insitute for Chemistry, Mainz) "Why Rivers Make the Difference: A Review on the Phytogeography of Amazonian Wetlands" Christophe Boesch & Roman Wittig, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig "Our Ancient Heritage in the Last Forest Remnants" 18:45—Coffee Break and Snacks Paul Heggarty, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena "Our Dying Language Heritage: What Role for Linguistics Research?" 19:30—Discussion Round   Harnack-Haus, 14195 Berlin, Deutschland Goethe Room Europe/Berlin public