Berlin, 18.10.2024 – At the annual MATH+ Day on 18 October 2024, the General Assembly of the Berlin Excellence Cluster MATH+ convened to elect three new influential Chairs: Andrea Walther from HU Berlin, Claudia Schillings representing FU Berlin, and Sebastian Pokutta who holds a position at TU Berlin. The assembly also took the opportunity to bid a formal farewell to the outgoing Chairs: Michael Hintermüller (HU Berlin), Christof Schütte (FU Berlin), and Martin Skutella (TU Berlin), expressing heartfelt gratitude for their remarkable contributions to the cluster’s success since 2019.
New Chairs for the Berlin Excellence Cluster MATH+: C. Schillings, Andrea Walther, Sebastian Pokutta (from left to right)
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**Interview with Claudia Schillings, New Chair of FU Berlin at the MATH+ Cluster**
**Interviewer:** Claudia, congratulations on your election as Chair of the MATH+ cluster representing FU Berlin. What do you think the biggest challenges will be for the new leadership team as you step into this role?
**Claudia Schillings:** Thank you! One of the major challenges we face is fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in an era where specialized knowledge is highly valued. We need to ensure that our research not only pushes the boundaries of mathematics but also integrates effectively with fields like medicine and transportation to tackle real-world problems.
**Interviewer:** That sounds like an ambitious goal. How do you plan to encourage collaboration among diverse research teams?
**Claudia Schillings:** We are looking to implement structured programs that facilitate interaction across disciplines. This could include workshops, joint research projects, and creating platforms where researchers can present their work not just within their specialties but to a broader audience.
**Interviewer:** Interesting approach! Given the recent elections and the transition of leadership, how do you envision honoring the legacies of the outgoing Chairs while also making your own mark?
**Claudia Schillings:** It’s essential to acknowledge the foundational work led by Michael, Christof, and Martin. Their efforts have set a solid groundwork, and we aim to build on that by introducing innovative initiatives while respecting the established direction. Respecting their legacy is about continuing the conversation around their successes and ensuring our new strategies align with the cluster’s core mission.
**Interviewer:** With such significant changes happening, how do you think the academic community and the public will react to this new leadership? Do you believe it will spark a debate about the direction of interdisciplinary research?
**Claudia Schillings:** Absolutely. The shift in leadership is a prime opportunity for discussion about the future of research collaboration. Some may advocate for even more specialization, while others may push for broader, integrative approaches. It’s important for the academic community and the public to engage in this dialogue, as it can directly influence funding, research priorities, and educational programs in our fields.
**Interviewer:** Do you think the audience would be more supportive of maintaining tradition or embracing radical changes in research strategy under the new Chairs?
**Claudia Schillings:** That’s a tough question, and I believe it would vary significantly among different stakeholders. Some may appreciate the stability that comes with a traditional approach, while others might be eager for change and innovation. This debate will likely reflect a broader conversation about how we face the challenges of our time through research.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Claudia! It will be fascinating to see how this debate unfolds in the coming months as your leadership team takes charge.
