Personnel announcements, Science policy

“The Leopoldina is an academy that has dedicated itself to the transfer of scientific knowledge, especially by means of advising politics and society,” said Professor (ETHZ) Dr Gerald Haug in his farewell speech. “Our proactive, swift advice is continually assessed in regard to its efficacy and efficiency, so I am excited to see how it will develop. Maintaining a balance between the independence of the Leopoldina and the desire for political efficacy will remain a great challenge. We can only provide our science-based advice responsibly if we demonstrate our independence with confidence.”

In her speech on assuming office Professor Dr Bettina Rockenbach said: “I, along with all members of the Academy, owe great thanks to my predecessor Gerald Haug. He has made the Leopoldina even more visible as an advisor of politics and society. I will resolutely continue the future-oriented transformation to providing anticipative science-based advice to society and politics. Science is essential for the early identification of looming crises and enables the improvement of crisis defence and prevention options. I will continue to reinforce this focus of our advisory work based on the interdisciplinary scientific endeavours of our members.”

Federal Research Minister Cem Özdemir emphasised: “The independence of science is a very precious asset. Free societies need scientific freedom. It is a fundamental pillar of a liberal value system and a driving force for progress, growth, and prosperity. I am therefore deeply concerned about the current developments in the United States.” The Minister underlined the importance of the Leopoldina and thanked Professor Haug for his commitment. “In its role as the German National Academy of Sciences, the Leopoldina contributes to a scientifically enlightened society and the responsible application of scientific insights. Over the past years Professor Haug has been a pioneering influence on the Academy and steered it successfully through difficult times with his outstanding commitment. I am very certain that the Academy will continue to be a prominent voice of science with its new President, Professor Rockenbach. As she assumes office today, I wish her all the best and extraordinary success.”

Bettina Rockenbach became a Member of the Leopoldina in the Section Economics and Empirical Social Sciences in 2013 and has been the Deputy Senator of this section since 2019. Since 2011, she has been the Professor of Experimental and Behavioral Economics at the University of Cologne/Germany, and Director of the Reinhard Selten Institute at the Universities of Bonn and Cologne since 2018. Her research focuses on the design of mechanisms to promote cooperation in social dilemma situations and on conditions for socially responsible economic action. In order to overcome the pressing conflicts of humanity, such as resource distribution, climate protection or global health, cooperation between actors is essential. The divergence of individual and collective interests – the social dilemma – poses an enormous challenge for cooperation. Bettina Rockenbach uses methods from game theory and behavioural economics to investigate the prerequisites for successful cooperation. In her work she contributes both to basic research and to the application of scientific findings to current problems. In addition to her scientific expertise Bettina Rockenbach enters office with comprehensive experience in scientific management due to her involvement in various scientific committees and university management. She was Vice Rector of Research and Innovation at the University of Cologne for eight years. Before that, Bettina Rockenbach was Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Law and Social Sciences at the University of Erfurt/Germany from 2006 to 2008, and from 2008 to 2011 Vice President for Research and Early Career Researchers. From 2014 to 2017 she was a member of the DFG Senate (German Research Foundation), and a member of the ERC Advanced Grant Peer Review Panel (SH1) since 2020.

Gerald Haug led the Leopoldina through a challenging time. He entered office in 2020 at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and established new processes of science-based advice in order to provide fast and quality responses to the huge demand for reliable information at short-notice. The significance of this accelerated transfer of scientific insights into wider society was demonstrated once again in 2022 as Russia invaded Ukraine in breach of international law and the Leopoldina made a prompt statement on securing German energy supply. Haug was one of the leading voices for the international support of the Ukrainian scientific community and introduced the Leopoldina Fellowship for young Ukrainian scientists. In October 2023, Hamas’ attack on Israel worsened the geopolitical situation further. Haug reinforced the Leopoldina’s traditional connection to the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities and criticised every form of anti-Semitism beyond and within the scientific community. Despite the heightened focus on topical issues, the Leopoldina created public awareness around topics such as the transformation of the energy supply, biodiversity, consequences of digitalisation, and global health during Haug’s time in office. He continuously worked at the global level to create more visibility for climate research and its insights. The Leopoldina successfully continued this international cooperation by providing policy advice at the G7 and G20 summits and was the leading institution of the Science7 process in 2022. In terms of scientific policy, Haug was committed – including as spokesperson of The Alliance of Science Organisations in Germany 2023 – to the defence of scientific freedom, not only from its political opponents but also from its bureaucratic constraints.

Photos of Bettina Rockenbach for journalistic articles about the inauguration can be accessed via the following link: https://www.leopoldina.org/en/president-images

About the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina:
As the German National Academy of Sciences, the Leopoldina provides independent science-based policy advice on matters relevant to society. To this end, the Academy develops interdisciplinary statements based on scientific findings. In these publications, options for action are outlined; making decisions, however, is the responsibility of democratically legitimized politicians. The experts who prepare the statements work in a voluntary and unbiased manner. The Leopoldina represents the German scientific community in the international academy dialogue. This includes advising the annual summits of Heads of State and Government of the G7 and G20 countries. With around 1,700 members from more than 30 countries, the Leopoldina combines expertise from almost all research areas. Founded in 1652, it was appointed the National Academy of Sciences of Germany in 2008. The Leopoldina is committed to the common good.

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Email: presse@leopoldina.org

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