The Fellow Conference 2024 unfolded as a landmark hybrid event on the 4th and 5th November at Osnabrück University, under the framework of the Lower Saxony – Scotland Tandem Fellowship Programme. This initiative, designed to facilitate mobility for early-career researchers in both regions, is generously supported by the Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture (MKW) and coordinated by the European Centre for Advanced Studies (ECAS). This year’s conference brought together a distinguished cohort of academics and fellows, providing a vibrant platform for intellectual exchange and innovative discourse.
Day 1: Setting the Stage for Collaborative Inquiry
The first day commenced with a warm welcome from Prof. Dr. James Conroy, ECAS Academic Director, and Prof. Dr. Susanne Menzel-Riedl, President of Osnabrück University and Vice-President of the German Rectors’ Conference. Their speeches highlighted the significance of international partnerships and underscored ECAS’s pivotal role in nurturing cross-border collaborations that propel research and technological advancements in the academic landscape of both regions.
The conference’s first research session featured Riaan Philipp Schmidt from the German National Metrology Institute (PTB) and Richard Aguiar Maduro from the University of Glasgow introducing their Tandem project on the “Structured Vector Light for Advanced Spectroscopy and Metrology.” The compelling presentation delved into the interaction of structured vector light with magnetised atomic media, exploring applications in laser-frequency locking, quantum technologies, and polarisation spectroscopy.
Next, Anna Karoline Rüßeler from Leibniz University Hannover and Michael McKinlay from the University of Glasgow presented their study into the “Novel Miniaturised Piezoelectric Electro-optical Modulator for Space- and Energy-saving Photonic Circuits.” Their work aims to advance photonic circuits for energy-efficient, compact solutions, enhancing modulation capabilities for communication systems and sensor technologies.
Day 1 ended with a closing speech by Christoph Kleineberg, Managing Director of ECAS, followed by a networking dinner where participants had the opportunity to reflect on the day’s discussions, make new professional contacts and lay the foundations for future collaborations.
Day 2: Bridging Research with Real-World Impact
The second day opened with remarks from Judith Crämer, Deputy Managing Director and Senior Academic Coordinator of ECAS, who welcomed participants, followed by Prof. Dr. Gwyn Gould, Professor of Cell Biology at the University of Strathclyde and Selection Committee member for the Lower Saxony – Scotland Tandem Fellowship Programme. With over three decades of multifaceted experience, Prof. Gould provided invaluable career advice, focusing on personal and professional development for the Fellows.
The Tandem sessions began with the input on “A Critical Comparative Analysis Between Lower Saxony and Lanarkshire on Refugee Entrepreneurs in the Agri-Food Sector”, a study by Oscar Ampofo from the University of Göttingen and Melissa Mesek from Glasgow Caledonian University. Their presentation examined the motivations and barriers faced by tenured refugees engaging in entrepreneurship within the agri-food sector. This study aims to inform policies that bolster refugee labour participation, rural growth, and sustainable economic development.
Dr. Anne-Eva Nebovsky of Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg and Dr. Paula Jacobs of the University of Edinburgh followed with their research on “Dementia and Everyday Experiences of Care and Caring Across Formal and Informal Care Relationships.” The introduced comparative analysis highlighted the varied experiences of caregivers in formal and informal settings, addressing the diverse challenges caregivers face and the need for supportive systems that recognize both personal and societal dimensions of care.
Later on, Dr. Layla Engelhardt from the University of Göttingen and Dr. Jonathan Wilkin from Abertay University presented their findings on “Consumer Preference of Brown Seaweeds Added to Ultra Heat Treated Plant-Based Milk Drinks in Lower Saxony & Scotland.” This project explores the emerging potential of brown seaweeds as sustainable ingredients in plant-based food products, revealing significant insights into consumer behaviour and the regional demand for innovation in sustainable food development.
The last session of the conference delved into the “Geothermal Potential in Reiche Zeche: Leveraging Research Mine Infrastructure for Sustainable Energy Solutions,” and was held by Ali Ahmadi of Clausthal University of Technology and Adetomiwa Aderemi from Heriot-Watt University. The presentation showcased how repurposing research mine infrastructure could facilitate geothermal energy development, demonstrating the benefits of converting existing industrial sites to support sustainable energy initiatives.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Karolina Michniewicz-Köhler, Academic Coordinator at ECAS, who reflected on the two-day event’s engaging presentations, insightful discussions, and the spirit of academic collaboration.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Momentum of Collaboration
The Fellow Conference 2024 in an annual celebration of the value of interdisciplinary dialogue and international research partnerships. It reinforces the commitment to fostering an environment where emerging scholars can share insights, spark new ideas, and contribute meaningfully to their respective fields.
ECAS would like to express its appreciation and great pleasure at all the projects presented, the research carried out and the sparked connections that may lead to new collaborations. We wish our Fellows the best of luck as they enter the final phase of their fellowships and look forward to welcoming new projects and beneficiaries at the Fellows Conference 2025.
For more information on the Lower Saxony – Scotland Tandem Fellowship Programme please visit: https://ecas-academia.org/tandem-fellowship/.