At the DGM Day on September 26, 2022 in Darmstadt, our members of the German Society for Materials Science (DGM) clearly decided in the presidential elections: FOR Prof. Dr.-Ing. Birgit Skrotzki (BAM) and FOR Prof. Dr. Martin Heilmaier. Both will start their two-year term at the beginning of 2023. In the editorial of the DGM Newsletter October, the future president was, Ms Skrotzki, in a short interview. In the November 2022 monthly issue, the baton passes to Mr. Heilmaier as the new DGM President. The scientist is a professor at the Institut für Angewandte Materialien - Werkstoffkunde (IAM-WK) of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).

Mr. Heilmaier, you have stood for the office of DGM President. The DGM Day elections have confirmed your prospective candidacy. What is your motivation?

For me as a materials scientist who was educated in Erlangen, the DGM is simply my "home" as a professional association. I have been a member for many years and have already been active for the DGM in various functions (working group leader, responsible for young scientists, prize curators, etc.). Therefore, the DGM was and is a matter of the heart for me. I gladly accepted the invitation to actively participate again after several years.    

Are these also main topics that you will pursue within the framework of your DGM presidency within the next two years?

After more than two "heavy" years overshadowed by Corona, it is important to me that the DGM is further consolidated economically. This is also not always an easy task for the office, considering how volatile the conference and training business is. From my point of view, we are on a good and successful path, especially with our hybrid conferences, which should be consistently continued.    

On 04 November 2022, our members discussed during the Lunch Talk on the topic: "What are important topics for the DGM for the next 5 years". In your opinion, what are strategic priorities for the DGM?

From my point of view, as already mentioned above, the DGM is our professional association that should be there especially for the needs of its members. For me, this includes raising the profile of our profession, including the associated degree programs, in society. Incidentally, we share this goal with all universities and colleges that have such degree programs.

In 2010, you were Vice President for Research and Young Scientists at the TU Darmstadt. The DGM and young scientists - what prospects do you see here?

The title of my vice presidency from back then is "program" for the DGM of today. Like my comrade-in-arms in the presidential dual leadership of the DGM, Prof. Dr. Skrotzki, young scientists and their promotion are particularly important to us. Unfortunately, the number of students in STEM subjects is currently declining in general, but especially in the field of MatWerk, which is particularly relevant for the DGM. To counteract this trend, we see the Young DGM as a successful activity that we want to continue to promote and support in our presidency, not only to activate more young people to participate in the DGM, but also to support them on their way to a professional career.  

Your predecessor, Ms. Zimmermann, said that you have also grown personally in the office of president. What personal challenges are you tackling?

This question is easy for me to answer on the one hand, but difficult on the other, because in the university sector, for example, I've been almost everything you can be there except president/rector. On the other hand, my professional experience in the basic materials industry as a senior employee in the development of refractory metals will certainly help me in the upcoming presidency, because the work at the DGM is much more strongly influenced by economic aspects. 

Thank you very much for the interview, Mr. Heilmaier.