Elisabeth Elschner, Science Communication Officer, DGM e.V. wishes you stimulating reading.

Dear DGM members, dear readers,

Do you remember Ulrich Wickert? Yes, exactly the ARD news anchor who, with his unmistakably pragmatic and composed manner, anchored the Tagesschau on public television for years. A few days ago, I happened to listen to a podcast with the well-known journalist and author, alias "Mr. Tagesthemen". The almost three-hour interview - "How to become a respected person" - about Wickert's life did not leave me bored for a minute - quite the opposite! The former television presenter talks humorously and openly about his childhood, studies, journalistic career, and personal and social values. The joke is on Wickert. Fear, Wickert says, even of authority, is a bad companion; bookishness, on the other hand, is the best way to make the right decision. And having a plan for life? There was and is no such thing. Rather, Wickert's curiosity and exuberance gave him the self-confidence to conduct interviews with Kohl, Scholz, Merkel & Co.

The interview fascinates me. He bluntly tells the audience about his experiences and thus provides answers and solutions to questions that seem to preoccupy not only me but also life-experienced personalities like Wickert, whose biography and reputation fill more than two pages of tabular CV.

The topic of "Role Models" is not only on my mind but is also the focus of the February 2023 Newsletter. Inspired by the Lunch Talk 2021 and the Women's Breakfast for MSE 2022 in Darmstadt, Prof. Dr Zimmermann suggested a further special event to meet the high demand for women's networking in the DGM. In mid-February, female scientists, representatives from industry and young female researchers exchanged views on personal and professional role models at the online meeting, "Women's New Year's Brunch": "Role Models - Who they are and why do we need them." The February newsletter special "Women in Science" provides an initial picture of the mood in our DGM community through reports and an interview with female scientists from the field of materials science and materials engineering.

Role models are not a glorified notion. They are important because they provide orientation and point the way at personal and professional crossroads. Whether we are female or male scientists,  female or male students or PhD students - when we look back on our own life, we remember people who stood by us at the right time and place. Science needs role models, and even more: science needs gender-specific, social, cultural, and professional diversity. Encouraging rather than just demanding, welcoming ideas, working together in service to science to find answers to global problems. Science remains authentic only when we can express the individuality of each researcher's personality with their experiences and competencies in the scientific research community. Or to use Wickert's words:

Some values are so self-evident - at least they should be - that there is no need to say a word about them. Respect for the individual is one such value.

Who or what has significantly accompanied you on your career path? What experiences would you like to share with young entrepreneurs, women in science, young professionals, etc.? Contact us at pressedgm.de. We will find a format and words to share your thoughts and story with the community of our DGM network.