DW-TV: Prof. Heckl, can you tell us why the work from Dresden was worthy of the German Future Prize 2011?
Wolfgang Heckl: It opens a new venue into what is called "green electronics". Electronics is going to be green in the future. Why green? Because it’s organic molecules which will play the role which has been fulfilled so far by silicon.
DW-TV: The Future Prize is meant to motivate scientists. How important are awards to keep research moving forward?
Wolfgang Heckl: They are important highlights in the life of a researcher. Since society values what these people do, usually in the background, in the laboratories. And for the first time, it shows that science happens not only in the laboratory, but in the middle of society. Only when society accepts, goes with science into the future, will we be successful in fulfilling the value of change.
DW-TV: Now in terms of prizes, this year's nominees were all men. What does this tell us about women scientists in Germany?
Wolfgang Heckl: That we don’t have enough women in science.
DW-TV: And why is that?
Wolfgang Heckl: Because we have a system which already in school, in universities, excludes more and more, unfortunately, the ideas which come from women. This is something we’re working on. We have huge programs also in the Deutsches Museum on MINT and women. MINT means the mathematics, engineering and nanoscience and science subjects - to bring it more to girls; girls play an important role. But we are far away from having equal distribution of men and women in science. And therefore at the end when these prizes are given, it’s just natural not to have enough women.
DW-TV: We heard that innovations in optics and photonics dominated this year’s Future Prize. What would you say will be the hot topics for next year?
Wolfgang Heckl: I can’t tell you, because we’re going into a difficult area. The whole earth is suffering from crisis in, for instance, resources and environment. We have to solve questions about the future of our wealth. Especially in Germany we want to contribute, also with these types of prizes, and this is the most renowned prize which is given by the President, for people who know that the chain of values begins with basic research, as in this case - a university professor. And goes through applied research, as in this case -with the Fraunhofer Institute. And at the end, there’s companies to be created, to go to market, to have innovations which come to people, to help, to make a better life for people.
DW: Prof. Wolfgang Heckl, it’s been very interesting talking with you. Thank you very much for joining us today.
Interview: Maggin Leigh Doody