Special Lecture: Professor Helmut Schwarz, president of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Oct 31, 2012, 3pm-4pm
In recent years, research has increasingly encountered pressure to justify itself, a phenomenon that is especially true for “fundamental” or “basic” research. In his talk, "Funding Basic Research, Promoting Excellence, and Building Trust", Professor Helmut Schwarz will discuss the role of basic research for our society, arguing that publicly financed fundamental research is neither a luxury nor a subsidy, but a cultural achievement and, as such, marks the starting point of every single value- added chain. Reflecting on the funding principles and core mission of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation – the funding of individuals rather than projects, the emphasis on individual excellence and academic freedom – he will argue that more campaigning on behalf of the individual researcher is needed to support genuinely high-risk endeavors necessary for groundbreaking research.
| Location: | Senate Chambers |
| Sponsor: | Vice-President Research & Innovation and Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Posted by: | Nicole Chevannes-McGregor |
| Web Site | http://www.yorku.ca/research/ |
 |
