Short Profiles

  

Dr. Barbara Sheldon*

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

location

Bonn, Germany

e-mail

barbara sheldon does-not-exist.avh de

short profile

Barbara Sheldon is Head of Division for Strategic Planning at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation as well as Managing Director of the Philipp Schwartz Initiative for supporting threatened scholars. She has worked in the field of research management for nearly twenty years, fifteen of them at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in various positions. Her responsibilities have included the development of a program for implementing “Welcome Centres for internationally mobile researchers” at universities in Germany, creating a German network of Welcome Centres and linking it to a European network of similar institutions (EURAXESS), as well as a program for promoting “research alumni relations”. Previously she worked as a fundraiser for the German Academic Exchange Service and as personal assistant to the President of the University of Heidelberg. Barbara holds a Ph.D. in American Literature from the University of Erlangen, Germany.

 

 

Shreya Balhara*

Scholars at Risk

location

New York City, NY USA

e-mail

ssb347 does-not-exist.nyu edu

short profile

Shreya Balhara works with the protection services team at Scholars at Risk (SAR). SAR is an international network of institutions and individuals whose mission it is to protect scholars and promote academic freedom. Shreya works with at-risk scholars and arranges temporary academic positions of refuge for them at member universities and colleges. She also provides these scholars with advisory and career support services. In addition to work with at-risk scholars, Shreya reviews applications from individuals seeking SAR’s assistance.

Prior to joining SAR, Shreya worked at PEN America, conducting advocacy efforts to address free expression violations and managing the emergency fund for at-risk writers. She received her M.A. in Human Rights with a focus on housing and development from Columbia University.

 

 

 

Prof. Dr. Benjamin Quesada°

Universidad del Rosario (Bogotá, Colombia

location

Bogotá, Colombia

e-mail

benjamin quesada does-not-exist.urosario edu co

short profile

Professor in Climatology, Leader of the Research Group ICE “Interactions Climate-Ecosystems”. Education: Mechanical engineer, M.Sc. in Environmental and Climate Sciences, PhD in Climatology (France), Post-doc in vegetation-atmosphere feedbacks (KIT, Germany); Main research areas: land-atmosphere interactions – deforestation impact on climate and carbon – extreme weather events – photovoltaic modelling.

personal statement

"Dear colleagues,

It is a pleasure to address you in the framework of this important event. I am pleased to see how this renowned research institute celebrates and promotes respect for human rights in the world of research, echoing the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on next December 10th. Within this framework, this space for dialogue and discussion is especially important for Colombia as it comes at a key moment in the construction of post-conflict, where environmental tensions are more visible than ever.

From the Research Group "Interactions Climate-Ecosystems (ICE)" of the Universidad del Rosario, I would like to extend a greeting and our solidarity with the researchers who are forced into exile because of their work. A worldwide network of researchers such as the one supported by the KIT seems to be the ideal scenario to find approaches and accompaniment mechanisms to strengthen the role of researchers in sensitive topics and places with the purpose of mitigating risk without sacrificing science.

A scheme of public-private and multi-stakeholder collaboration can become an important reference that promotes science in risk contexts and in issues such as environmental damage, land use, climate change and in the life of social communities, among others.

The international support that researchers at risk may receive in scenarios such as these reinforces the role of science in decision-making in different national realities. Its functioning through the networks of former KIT researchers and its interaction with the different regions of the world, gives the Project a unique relevance.

We are sure that this meeting will be an opportunity for dialogue and exchange of ideas that will contribute to the advancement of these and other topics of interest for the KIT and for researchers globally.

I wish you every success,

Prof. Dr. Benjamin Quesada"

  news Conference „Climate Change, Land Use and Food Security" (Bogotá, 22. Februar2019,  English/Spanish) :  Youtube channel of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics  from Universidad del Rosario

 

 

Nsikanabasi Silas Umo

Meteorology and Climate Research, KIT

location

Karlsruhe, Germany

e-mail

nsikanabasi umo does-not-exist.partner kit edu

short profile

Nsikanabasi Silas Umo holds a PhD in Atmospheric Science from the University of Leeds, UK. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at IMK-AAF, KIT following his prestigious fellowship award by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany. He studies ice nucleation properties of anthropogenic and natural aerosol particles in a world-class aerosol/cloud simulation chamber. He has broad research interests in aerosol-cloud interactions, and in biogeochemical interactions/transformation of aerosol particles in the atmosphere. Nsikanabasi hails from Nigeria, Africa.

personal statement

“Threatened researchers face enormous challenges which require great attention. Some academics are facing imminent life threats, persecution, lack of research freedom due to political and socio-economic crises. The academic community, governments, civil societies, and individuals must work together to ensure that such scholars are assisted to regain their academic freedom. We must put an end to the persecution of academics all over the world to promote freedom of thoughts and research that are geared towards the collective development and progress of humanity. KIT has taken giant steps in leading a discourse on this theme and also backing it with commendable initiatives. I am extremely happy to identify with these efforts."

 

 

Philipp Schrögel°

Institute for German Studies, KIT

location

Karlsruhe, Germany

e-mail

philipp schroegel does-not-exist.kit edu

short profile

Philipp Schrögel is a researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). He received his Diploma in Physics from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and his Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He is a member of the junior research group “Science In Presentations” and project head of „Science for all“. He also works as a freelancer in science communication. His focus in research and practice lies on participatory, inclusive and creative approaches to science communication, from citizen science to science slams or science comics.

personal statement

The world is facing many challenges – from climate change to increasing nationalism and conflicts around the globe. Scientists need to take on an important role in addressing these challenges and communicate about their research. But they are also often threatened themselves when following their ideals and speaking out. I am glad about the support and solidarity of the international scientific community and initiatives like the Philipp Schwartz program – but I hope that more colleagues get engaged as supporters and raise their voices. Now is not the time to hide behind an assumed objective neutrality. Science communication is inherently political and is needed as contribution to political and societal debates.

 

 

Prof. Dr. Caroline Y. Robertson-von Trotha*

ZAK - Centre for Cultural and General Studies, KIT

location

Karlsruhe, Germany

e-mail

caroline robertson does-not-exist.kit edu

short profile

Prof. Dr. Caroline Y. Robertson‐von Trotha is director of ZAK | Centre for Cultural and General Studies at KIT. She was born in Glasgow/Scotland in 1951. After her studies in sociology, philosophy, political science and history in Heidelberg and Karlsruhe she finalized her doctoral dissertation in sociology and habilitated at the University of Karlsruhe (now Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, KIT) in 2004. She is founding director of the ZAK at KIT.

Her research focuses on cultural change and globalisation, internationalisation, multiculturalism, as well as theory and practice of public science. She is coordinator of the German network of the Anna Lindh Foundation, member of the Culture Committee of the German UNESCO Commission, and chairwoman of the Academic Council for Culture and Foreign Policy (WIKA) at the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (ifa). In addition, in 2009 she was part of the impromptu EU Focus Working Group on Science and Culture, 2010 Reviewer of the European Commission's 7th Research Framework Program in Science in Society "Encouraging a European Dimension at Science Events", 2018 Reviewer for the Federal Ministry of Education and Research to evaluate applications for the Institute for Social Cohesion.

 

 

 

 

Daniela von Rüden

International Affairs, KIT

location

Karlsruhe, Germany

e-mail

daniela rueden does-not-exist.kit edu

short profile

Geographer, development cooperation.

personal statement

Coordinator for the integration of refugees.

 

 

Ekrem Duzen*

Institut für interdisziplinäre Konflikt- und Gewaltforschung, Universität Bielefeld

location

Bielefeld, Germany

e-mail

ekrem duzen does-not-exist.uni-bielefeld de

short profile

Philipp Schwartz fellow at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on Conflict and Violence, Bielefeld University, Germany.  MS in Clinical Psychology, MS in Philosophy of Science, PhD in Applied Psychology.  Psychotherapist. Main works on youth participation; child and adolescent development; psychocultural formation of self; testing and measurement. Trainer and consultant for national and international civil society organizations. Currently working on (1) everyday reproduction of discrimination, othering, and exclusion, (2) national and transnational youth mobility, (3) threats to academic freedom.

 

 

 

Prof. Dr. Jeff Wilkesman

Hochschule Mannheim

location

Mannheim, Germany

e-mail

j wilkesman does-not-exist.hs-mannheim de

short profile

Doctor rer.nat. Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg – University of Mainz

Visiting Researcher, Durham University,  UK

Visiting Lecturer, University of Toulouse, ENSAT, France

Lecturer, Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) Mannheim / Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University Mannheim, Germany

Research topics:

Enzyme characterization for biotechnological purposes

Development of Zymography methods

 

 

 

Dr. Johannes Müller*

International Science, University of Cologne

location

Cologne, Germany

e-mail

j mueller does-not-exist.verw uni-koeln de

short profile

Since 2014 Head of Dept. “International Science” within the International Office. 
Responsible for the Welcome Centre, the coordination of international partnership networks and research cooperation, threatened scholars support, digital Internationalization and for the Cologne Global Study Program (an English-taught  short term study program for intercontinental exchange students). 
Johannes holds an MA in History, Political Science and Roman Languages from the University of Cologne and a PhD in History and Civilization from the European University Institute, Florence/Italy. He is also teaching Contemporary European History at the University of Cologne.

 

personal statement

Supporting threatened researchers in academia is as much humanitarian as it is utilitarian: hosting a researcher can only be beneficial in case of successful scientific cooperation!

 

 

Katarzyna Schubert-Panecka

Business Mediation & Intercultural Communication - Research Group on Mediation

location

Karlsruhe, Germany

e-mail

ksp does-not-exist.schubert-panecka eu

short profile

Experienced international commercial mediator, mediation and management trainer and educator, business coach and conflict researcher.

Since 2009 she teaches Mediation and Constructive Communication at the Centre for Cultural and General Studies at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Cross Border Mediation and Intercultural Communication for different companies and education organisations especially from Germany and Poland, but also from Switzerland, Austria and other countries. Her areas of expertise are furthermore Conflict Prevention and Transformation, especially in the Cross Border Disputes, Elder Mediation and Resilience of individuals and teams in the modern world.

 

 

 

Katja Machacsek

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

location

Bonn, Germany

e-mail

Katja Machacsek

short profile

Katja Machacsek is Programme Officer in the Philipp Schwartz Initiative at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. She supports universities and research institutions hosting or planning to host threatened foreign researchers. Prior to this, she worked six years in the Foundation’s international research marketing programme for promoting “research alumni relations”. Katja holds a university degree in translation gained from the University of Heidelberg.

 

 

 

Kirsten Sonnenschein°

Eberhard Karls University Tübingen

location

Tübingen, Germany

e-mail

welcomecenter does-not-exist.uni-tuebingen de

short profile

2010 foundation of the Welcome Center of Tübingen University - development and establishment of the services for international researchers and scholars - since 2016 member of SAR and member of steering group SAR German Section - hosting of threatened scholars funded by PSI, BWFPS, Gerda Henkel - primary task hosting of approx. 500 new arriving international scholars each year.

personal statement

We must not close our eyes to the loss of democracy worldwide. Even if each one of us can only contribute a tiny part, we should take these small steps. After all, even the oceans are made up of drops.

 

 

Özge Celikaslan

Staatliche Hochschule für Gestaltung, Karlsruhe

location

Karlsruhe, Germany

e-mail

ocelikaslan does-not-exist.hfg-karlsruhe de

short profile

PhD candidate at HfG Karlsruhe Media Theory Department (previously at Ankara University Film Studies Department). Signatory of Academics for Peace Petition and member of Academics for Peace Association in Germany.

 

 

 

Dr. Petra Roth*

International Affairs, KIT

location

Karlsruhe, Germany

e-mail

petra roth does-not-exist.kit edu

short profile

Head of the International Scholars and Welcome Office, sub-division of the International Affairs Business Unit of KIT. Main activities: Strategic development of professional and individualized support for internationally mobile researchers and promotion of their participation in the KIT community. This includes a comprehensive concept of hosting at-risk scholars of KIT as well as liaisons of KIT with research alumni for mutual benefits.

Representative for KIT with the Scholars at Risk Global Network (SAR), member of the steering group of the SAR Germany Section in support of persecuted scientists.

Education: Forest Engineering (USP, Brazil); Doctorate in Biology/Plant Physiology (Universität Karlsruhe)

personal statement

A contribution to promoting the dialogue between persecuted scientists with their peers inside and outside of KIT as well as to holding the awareness of the scientific and general communities to the threats and intimidation of researchers and students due to their academic activities.

 

Swenja Zaremba

ZAK - Centre for Cultural and General Studies, KIT

location

Karlsruhe, Germany

e-mail

swenja zaremba does-not-exist.kit edu

short profile

Project Management and Research Assistant at the ZAK | Centre for Cultural and General Studies at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany and Co-Coordinator of the German network of the Anna Lindh Foundation. She holds a Master’s Degree in Science of Literature and Journalism. In her research, teaching and projects she addresses Euro- Arab cultural topics, questions of foreign cultural policies and the integration of civil society and topics of intercultural exchange in Higher education. She is a member of the strategic working group on “Civil Society” for Germany’s cultural relations and education policy. She presently works on the programme “Advocacy Training – Intercultural Online Debate” within the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange pilot initiative.

 

 

 

Prof. Dr. Orestis Terzidis°

Institute of Entrepreneurship, KIT

location

Karlsruhe, Germany

e-mail

orestis terzidis does-not-exist.kit edu

personal statement

Freedom of science is a precious good, and it is not respected everywhere. The hosting of threatened scientists can be a contribution to alleviate the consequences.

 

 

 

 

Svetlana Strobel

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

location

Bonn, Germany

e-mail

Svetlanda Strobel

short profile

Svetlana Strobel is Programme Officer in the Philipp Schwartz Initiative at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. She supports universities and research institutions hosting or planning to host threatened foreign researchers. Prior to this, she worked more than four years for the World Health Organization as Administrative Assistant and five years as Marketing Specialist for an American software company. Svetlana holds a university degree in business administration gained from the University of Marburg.

 

 

 

Frauke Bolch

Women and Profession Karlsruhe

location

Karlsruhe, Germany

e-mail

Frauke Bolch does-not-exist.wirtschaftsstiftung de

short profile

The points of contact Women and Profession Karlsruhe is one of twelve contact points in Baden-Württemberg, which are funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg as part of the state program "contact points for women and profession". The contact point is in the house of the Wirtschaftsstiftung Südwest in Karlsruhe. We are committed to equal opportunities for women in working life. Vocational orientation, starting a business, rejoining the labour market or promotions: The points of contact Women and Profession give advice and support to women at all stages in their professional life -  tailored to the current phase of their lives. At a structural level, this means improving the basic conditions of female employment. We give impulses in events, committees and projects. We work together with chambers, employment agencies, companies and other labor market players to support a family-friendly and life-oriented human resources policy. We initiate the expansion of educational offerings with innovative, female-specific courses. The constructive cooperation with regional women's networks is an important part of our work.

 

 

 

Lisa Ziegler

HAW Würzburg-Schweinfurt (FHWS)

location

Würzburg/Karlsruhe, Germany

e-mail

lisa ziegler does-not-exist.fhws de

short profile

BA Social Work

MA International Social Work with Refugees and Migrants

Scientific Assistant at HAW Würzburg

Project Coordinator of DAAD Higher Education Dialogue with Lebanon & Jordan

 

 

 

 

* Speakers
° Supporters
   Participants