Dear DESY colleagues,

In our autumn newsletter, we've bound together a colourful bouquet of topics for you. We cast a glimpse into DESY's construction sites (CAST and the Innovation Factory), let Harald Buddeweg explain to us how programme-oriented funding (POF for short) works, and we call for your help on two important sustainability projects (key phrase: migrating toads).

Have a pleasant read,
Your DESY inform-team

DESY DAY 2024: THE PEOPLE, THE PRIZES, THE RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

DESY DAY is on 13 November! The preparations are under way, including for the special edition of this very newsletter. There, we'll present new names, familiar faces, and amazing prize winners: surprising, inspiring, and with new perspectives – and above all the research work within.
Sören Jalas from the MLS group is an example: he is one of the two winners of the VFFD thesis prize. "I see it as a privilege to be able to work in science – and simultaneously there's a responsibility to communicate our research as transparently and understandably as possible." Or let's take Fabian Becherer. He is among the four people who will present the highlights from the research areas within 150 seconds each. "The most challenging aspect will be to simplify my complicated topic." And of course, the research scientist Ludovica Aperio Bella from the DESY ATLAS Group: she is the Bjørn H. Wiik Prize winner for 2024. "I love it to answer fundamental questions in physics and to explore the unknown. More recently, I've also discovered a strong passion for mentoring. To help the next generation of scientists develop their capabilities and curiosity is unbelievably enriching."

Another highlight and a great honour: for more than 20 years, the Jentschke Lecture has been a tribute to DESY founder Willibald Jentschke. This year, the lecture will be delivered by Physics Nobel laureate Ferenc Krausz, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics.

If you want to know more: the DESY DAY newsletter is out on 12 November. If you want to see these three and even more nominees and prizewinners and much more live, then come to the DESY Auditorium on 13 November. DESY DAY begins at 14:00. We're looking forward to seeing you!

PROGRAMME-ORIENTED FUNDING: DESY ON THE TEST BENCH

DESY performs science at a world-class level. That is our claim and at the same time it's our mission. And to achieve that we need to have a committed and stable basic financing of our research. Their basis is the programme-oriented funding (PoF). In order for it to be secured, DESY, like each of the 18 research centres of the Helmholtz Association, must undergo an intensive two-stage assessment process. The first assessment measures the quality of the science, and the second analyses the future strategic planning. At the end, the result of both sets the stage for the allocation of financial support. The first part for DESY is at the doorstep: the scientific assessment. What exactly that means, and how you can help support it, you can learn about in this interview with Harald Buddeweg, rapporteur for the Matter research area.

DESY establishes a central Project Support Office (PSO)

DESY's Project Support Office (PSO) develops future uniform project standards and processes and with these creates DESY-wide standards or quality for the realisation of projects. "At DESY, we have an unbelievable number of very different projects in all areas, from science projects to construction projects to IT projects," says Thorsten Arndt from V6, who coordinates the new PSO alongside Nina Hundoegger. "For them, we want to provide a central, structured contact point so that we can steadfastly support colleagues from the idea stage down to the execution of the project." Hundoegger and Arndt will reach back to the experiences of colleagues from already successfully completed projects to accomplish this support. The goal: to bundle existing project management methods already in use, standardise them, and make them available to all areas. The PSO will be there to advise and support through individual interviews and development courses. A planned website will function as an information platform for networking and communication of project activities at DESY. Got questions? Contact Nina Hundoegger and Thorsten Arndt.

A REPORTING CENTRE FOR ABUSES

Important positions, newly filled: since 1 October 2024, DESY has a new internal reporting centre in accordance with the Whistleblower Protection Law. If you observe serious misconduct or general abuses, you can turn to Sadia Bari (-5093) and Daniel Sietz (-2526) in Hamburg. In Zeuthen, Isabella Wagner (-7190) is there for you. The colleagues can also be contacted at hinweis@desy.de. Your tip-offs can be made in English or German, and anonymously.
Some background: the Whistleblower Protection Law is in effect since July 2023, as part of the wider EU Whistleblower Guidelines. The overall goal is the protection of people who make such tip-offs from reprisals as well as the protection of people who are the subject of such a report. For information is available here.

Team spirit – everyone in the same boat

Athletic, engaged, and having fun: a DESY team took third place at the Dragon Boat Race on Hamburg's Outer Alster Lake in mid-September. Once more, this shows that the DESY spirit drives for success, even off campus.

IN SERVICE OF THE ENVIRONMENT: WE NEED YOU!

The DESY Sustainability Team is looking for your support for two projects:

Introduction of the environmental management system EMAS:
The aim is to record relevant environmental aspects and risks at DESY. For this, the Sustainability Team is searching for auditors who will look for possible areas of improvement in the yearly EMAS audit. If you are interested in being active in this aspect of the DESY Sustainability Team's work, please send an email with the subject "EMAS Support" to nachhaltigkeit@desy.de. They also have more information.

Annual toad migration:
Between February and June is the spawning and migration season for frogs and toads. Their paths regularly cross the DESY campus. However, in 2025, this natural spectacle should occur in an orderly fashion. NABU is there to help. And here as well, your help is needed: for example, for the setup of toad fences. If you're interested, the team would be delighted if you would please send an email with the subject "Toad migration" to nachhaltigkeit@desy.de.

Thanks in advance for your interest and support!

Discussion on a time of change in research

Between ethical challenges and political responsibility to national defence: with the backdrop of worldwide crises and wars, the Directors' Office invites you to a podium discussion in which current questions of national security are addressed. On top of that, the question is how DESY could position itself in the Europe-wide discussion. To provide context, discussion, and comment: Ursula Bassler, Director of CNRS-IN2P3 in France. Ulrike Beisiegel, chair of the Ethics Commission at DESY. Axel Müeller-Groeling, Chair of the Fraunhofer Society. Ursula Schröder, Director of the Institute for Pease Research and Security Politics (IFSH) at the University of Hamburg. Jan Wörner, the president of acatech. And Helmut Dosch and Beate Heinemann from the DESY Directorate. "A time of change in research – what does that mean for DESY?": On 12 November from 10:00 to 12:00 in the DESY Auditorium. The event will be held in German, but will be livestreamed over Zoom and simulcast in English. For more information, visit the event page.

Web-CAST: Live view on DESY´s new construction site

Across from the Max von Laue experiment hall and the Innovation Village, DESY´s new Centre for Accelerator Science and Technology (CAST) is emerging at this time. On an area of 725 m², around 2400 m² of office space, conference rooms, and the new accelerator control room will emerge. The new research building is conceived as a representative communication point – the construction and architecture should encourage an everyday coming together and spontaneous scientific exchange. A particular highlight for visitors: from a special room, you can peek into the core of the building – in the accelerator control room – and feel the DESY “heartbeat”. Researchers, engineers, and technicians will work together there to safely and efficiently guide the operation of DESY´s accelerators. From summer 2026, CAST will be the new workplace for colleagues from the accelerator area and at the same time serve as a meeting place for guest researchers, guests, and visitors.

You can view the construction site over the webcams, here and here.

Groundbreaking for DESY Innovation Factory

The technology and founding centre is taking shape. On 20 November, the groundbreaking for DESY's Innovation Factory will take place. On the open area next to the parking lot with the electric car charging station will emerge around 6000 m² of office space, laboratories, and workshops. From 2027 on, the new home for the ideas of the future will offer the best infrastructure in the areas of life sciences and new materials. For entrepreneurs and start-ups, for applied research projects, for industrial cooperation. The DESY Innovation Factory is, following the DESY Innovation Village (2019) and the Start-Up Labs Bahrenfeld (2021), already the third project for DESY's unique innovation infrastructure. And: in addition to the new main building on the campus, there will also be an additional factory location in the Altona Innovation Park.

GERMAN-UKRAINIAN SCIENTIFIC FRIENDSHIP

As a sign of great solidarity, a DESY delegation visited several scientific institutes in the Ukrainian capital Kiev at the beginning of October. DESY directors Helmut Dosch and Christian Stegmann were accompanied by Martin Sandhop, DESY expert for international relations, and the Ukrainian DESY researcher Sergii Fomin. "The freedom of science and international cooperation are the cornerstones of every democratic society," said Helmut Dosch, who was awarded an honorary doctorate by the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine during the two-day visit. "Peaceful coexistence on the basis of international law is an indispensable prerequisite. As scientists, we are obliged to stand up for these principles." During the trip, further steps were agreed to intensify cooperation between German and Ukrainian research institutions.

BEATE HEINEMANN BECOMES A MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES IN HAMBURG

Congratulations to our Director of Particle Physics, Beate Heinemann! She has been elected as a new member of the Academy of Sciences in Hamburg. The Academy belongs to the Union of German Academies of Sciences and Humanities and is a member of the German Research Foundation. It brings together top researchers from all areas of science in northern Germany who are dedicated to solving fundamental social problems. Academy President Prof Mojib Latif welcomed Heinemann and three other researchers at the Academy's public annual celebration in Hamburg on 18 October 2024.

TWO FORMER DESY SCIENTISTS TO RECEIVE RENOWNED PARTICLE PHYSICS PRIZE

Congratulations also to Robert Klanner (left) and Eckhard Elsen (right)! The two former DESY scientists will be honoured with the W.K.H. Panofsky Prize in Experimental Particle Physics of the American Physical Society APS in spring 2025. DESY Research Director Beate Heinemann congratulates the two prize winners: "The Panofsky Prize is one of the most important prizes in particle physics and this year goes to two people who have made a decisive contribution to the success of HERA through their leading roles in the H1 and ZEUS experiments."

DESY inform team:

Editing and realisation: Kristin Hüttmann and Christina Mänz
Editorial team: Thomas Zoufal, Joseph Piergrossi, Barbara Warmbein, Miriam Huckschlag
Production and design: Stefanie Fahlfeder, Cristina Lopez Gonzalez
Images: DESY: Marta Mayer, Reimo Schaaf; heinlewischer, Berlin; istockphoto, Nika Ray; Universität Hamburg / FIAS; pbr Planungsbüro Rohling AG
Contact: inform@desy.de