News
ProLOEWE Board of Directors meeting on December 3, 2024 finally back in person at the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture after four years
After a long period of virtual meetings, the time had finally come: the ProLOEWE Board of Directors meeting took place in person for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The spokespersons of the LOEWE research projects were invited by the ProLOEWE office to the meeting on December 3 on the premises of the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture (HMWK) to inform themselves about current developments in the ProLOEWE network and to exchange ideas. Prof. Dr. Anke Becker, ProLOEWE spokesperson, opened the meeting and welcomed the attendees.
The ProLOEWE Board of Directors meeting was hosted by Christoph Degen, State Secretary of the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture. In his welcoming address, Degen emphasized the central importance of the research that takes place in the LOEWE research projects and thus also the LOEWE funding provided by the state of Hesse. This funding initiative makes it possible to promote top-level scientific research in Hessen and to establish the state as an excellent research location. This funding would therefore be continued despite considerable political uncertainties.
A central topic of the meeting was the increased visibility of LOEWE research in the public and political arena. Whether climate change, medical innovations or technological breakthroughs - LOEWE projects make a decisive contribution to solving global challenges. Nevertheless, the tense funding situation was also discussed. Despite these challenges, ProLOEWE was able to retain important scientists in the network - a success that underlines the high attractiveness of the program.
Tanja Desch, Managing Director of the ProLOEWE network, presented the network's activities. In particular, the ProLOEWE science simulation game for schools, which gets pupils interested in research and illustrates the importance of science in a playful way, and the format “ProLOEWE - Hessen's cutting-edge research in 45 minutes”, which offers Hessian state politicians the opportunity to talk directly to scientists from the LOEWE projects and learn more about their research.
The session impressively demonstrated how valuable personal exchange is for the success of scientific cooperation. The LOEWE projects are working together to further strengthen Hessen's excellence and make the research results visible and accessible - for the public, politicians and, above all, for the future.
Prof. Anke Becker was re-elected as ProLOEWE spokesperson at the Board of Directors meeting. Prof. Moritz Bünemann stepped down as deputy, as he will no longer be in charge of a LOEWE project from 2025. Prof. Bernd Schmeck from Philipps University in Marburg was nominated and elected, as were the two previous members.