Eckhard Elsen & Sven J. Körner

Scientific progress in (basic) research today is increasingly based on collective efforts – both in particle physics and in the development of cutting-edge technologies in the (software) industry. The open exchange of results and “sporting” competition are the key to success.
What drives researchers in publicly funded science and what are the differences to industrial research and development? What is the division of tasks between publicly funded basic research and commercially motivated research in high-tech companies? How does Germany position itself nationally and internationally?

Prof. Dr. Eckhard Elsen was Director of Research and Computing at the European Organization for Nuclear Research CERN near Geneva.

Dr. Sven J. Körner has been Vice President Community at the Heidelberg-based AI company Aleph Alpha since May 2025.