Societal Disconnect in One-Leader Research - Scientific leader at educational institution voices concern about waning impact of science on community
The president of the University of Potsdam, Oliver Günther, expresses concern over the growing disconnect between science and society, both in Germany and beyond. "Universities need to bridge the chasm with the public by demonstrating their tangible contributions to addressing society's pressing issues," Günther stated in an interview with the "Potsdamer Neuesten Nachrichten."
According to Günther, universities have, at times, overemphasized research topics less relevant to the general public, leading to a skewed perception of academic institutions. This skewed image, as Günther explains, fosters misconceptions that universities are self-absorbed, focusing only on diversity, inclusion, and wokeness issues, further detached from the public.
This distorted image, Günther believes, has become particularly pronounced in the United States under the Trump administration, with reports of funding restrictions and increased scrutiny on international students and exchange program participants. According to Günther, the health of the American scientific community is of utmost importance, as research underpins progress, and the undermining of that foundation would harm the country and potentially drive away a generation of promising scientists.
Günther, an economist by training, is the current head of the University of Potsdam, a prestigious institution with a rich legacy dating back to the works of Alexander von Humboldt. Humboldt was a renowned scientist whose work straddled the boundary between academia and society, reflecting the ideal of science's role in advancing societal progress.
To tackle the issue of the disconnect between science and society, Günther suggests universities emphasize public engagement, interdisciplinary dialogue, and inclusive education to restore trust in scientific research and bridge the gap between academia and the public. By adopting such actions, universities can help ensure their continued relevance and significance in addressing the challenges of the modern world.
- The president of the University of Potsdam, Oliver Günther, advocates for universities to address the growing disconnect between science and society by highlighting their roles in tackling pressing societal issues, keenly focusing on the importance of scientific research in education-and-self-development.
- In his quest to bridge the chasm between academia and the public, Günther urges universities to prioritize public engagement, interdisciplinary dialogue, and inclusive education policies, aiming to dispel misconceptions that universities are overly focused on controversial topics while neglecting their essential contributions to science and EC countries' progress.
