20 years of IZWT
Interdisciplinary centre for science and technology research celebrates its anniversary
The participants of the anniversary celebration looked back together on 20 years of the IZWT // Photo Friederike von Heyden
The anniversary celebration was opened by the IZWT management: the managing director Prof. Dr Volker Remmert and the deputy directors Prof. Dr Thomas Heinze and Prof. Dr Anna Leuschner, who presented the three main research areas of the centre - history, sociology and philosophy - and gave insights into current projects and perspectives.
A particular highlight was the short presentations by IZWT founders Prof Dr Gregor Schiemann, Prof Dr Erhard Scholz and Prof Dr Friedrich Steinle. They looked back on the early years and reflected on the development of the centre since 2005. In addition, former and current IZWT members reported on their time at the centre and the further development of their research fields.
As part of the celebrations, there was also a significant change in management: After more than a decade, Volker Remmert handed over the managing directorship to Anna Leuschner. The guests took the opportunity for dialogue and discussion at the subsequent champagne reception.
Milestones from 20 years of IZWT
Since its foundation, the IZWT has achieved numerous structural and scientific successes:
- 2005: Founded by professors Schiemann, Scholz and Steinle
- 2006: Introduction of the interdisciplinary colloquium
- 2007: Start of the lecture series in the summer semester
- 2011: Prof Remmert takes over the management of the IZWT
- 2013: Sociology added as a third disciplinary pillar; Prof Heinze becomes deputy director
- 2013-2018: Establishment and further development of the junior professorship for the history of technology, gender and the environment
- 2016: Establishment of the DFG research group "The Epistemology of the Large Hadron Collider"
- 2017: Junior professorship in "Philosophy with a focus on the philosophy of physics"
- 2020: Prof Leuschner becomes deputy head; establishment of the junior professorship "Historical-Comparative Science and Technology Studies"
- 2020: Establishment of the junior professorship "Historical-Comparative Science and Technology Studies", which acts as a bridge between the subjects of History and Sociology
- 2022: Launch of the DFG Research Training Group 2696 "Transformations of Science and Technology since 1800"
With its wide-ranging research activities, the IZWT remains a central location for scientific research on the transformation of science and technology even after 20 years.
