Bringing together some 400 Guests

On 15 January 2018 the DFG ushered in the new year with its traditional New Year’s reception at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. President Prof. Dr. Peter Strohschneider addressed some 400 guests, representing science and academia, politics, society and the media, on the topic “Science and Humanities in the Digital Age”.

In this context, he coined the term “Weltenwandel” to refer to a fundamental and ongoing change brought about by technological advancements but affecting all areas of society. This, he remarked, affects policy on innovation, investment, law, education and democracy. He noted that digitality presents a special challenge for the organisation of research and for science policy, a challenge which the DFG is tackling at its various levels. The President also called attention to a related project at the DFG Head Office and a future expert committee on science and academia in the digital age.

• New Year's Address 2016 by the President of the DFG