A new generation of scientists – critical, independent and interdisciplinary

We think about and develop concrete utopias for a sustainable future and implement them in an interdisciplinary way.

Young VDW, is the suborganization cut out for young scientists of the Federation of German Scientists (VDW). We are a young, interdisciplinary, and independent think tank oriented towards the aims of the VDW such as the responsibility of science. National and international students, university graduates, doctoral candidates, and post-doctoral researchers are equally involved in this innovative and forward-looking think tank. The aim is to bring young researchers from different scientific disciplines into an active and constructive discourse with each other, to strengthen them in their competencies, and thus to improve their future prospects.

Who we are

We are an association of national and international students, graduates, doctoral candidates, and postgraduates from various scientific disciplines. As Young VDW, we address the new generation of scientists with their extensive professional knowledge, especially in their respective focus areas. In a world that is changing ever faster, unsettling many and harboring complex risks and issues that are difficult to control, we as Young VDW offer young scientists a platform to contribute to the societal discourse on science, society, and necessary change, as well as to actively engage and network in various thematic areas.

What we strive for

We offer and invite you to work with us for sustainable, holistic solutions and the critical reflection of socially relevant issues in view of the responsibility of science. We strive for inter- and transdisciplinary (sustainability) research and collaboration. At it, we are independent of economic, party and other power interests. We have set ourselves the goal of utilizing and bringing together our acquired expertise and symbiotically strengthening our competencies, thereby improving our future prospects. Both scientific and societal demands and transformational developments are to be accompanied in a sustainable and socially critical manner in doing so. With our engagement we intend to stimulate new impulses and discourses in science as well as in society in Germany and around the globe. We aim to broaden horizons and develop concrete utopias for a sustainable, peaceful, and fair world community.

What we offer

Specifically, Young VDW offers

  • opportunities to contribute to topics and projects of VDW
  • a platform for contributing and realizing your ideas for new projects
  • a growing network of like-minded people from different universities, countries, disciplines, and backgrounds
  • an active discourse and exchange between young and old lifeworlds
  • room for personal commitment to relevant future topics in cooperation with others
  • the opportunity for mentoring and dialogue with experienced and renowned scientists and scholars
  • the co-creation of a VDW podcast on the responsibility of science
  • the planning and implementation of as well as participation in a Summer School taking place in 2022.

Whom we want to reach

Young VDW addresses new generations of scientists with different academic backgrounds who want to actively engage and network across disciplines in order to contribute to the societal discourse on science, society, and necessary change as well as to actively engage and network in different thematic fields.

In doing so, we welcome interested people from very different scientific disciplines such as:

  • social and behavioral sciences (sociology, law, political science, psychology, ethnology, communication sciences, business administration, and economics)
  • cultural sciences (art and cultural studies, linguistics, theater studies, literature, philosophy, ethics, education, history, religious studies)
  • Natural sciences (physics, chemistry, geology, biology, genetics)
  • interdisciplinary sciences (medicine, pharmacy, engineering)
  • Formal sciences (logic, mathematics, computer science)

How we work

We are non-partisan, work largely autonomously, are guided by the principles of VDW in the sense of responsible science, and are therefore not bound to any political or economic institutions or organizations. We identify ourselves exclusively with the principles of science: factuality, objectivity, and independence are central to as well as indispensable for our work.