Abstract:
Thomas Sattelberger is a passionate advocate for disruptive innovation and radical transformation of the German science and research system, which he views as sluggish, complacent, and inefficient. In particular, the German research landscape – which he perceives as opaque and intricately intertwined – is a thorn in his side. He accuses the major non-university research organizations of poor performance and, in particular, of failing to translate research findings into practical and economic benefits. According to his own statements, Thomas Sattelberger wishes for Germany to break free from complacent self-satisfaction and false comfort, to break out of prevailing theoretical concepts and patterns, as well as ideological straitjackets. Drawing on his experiences and analyses, he lists – almost like a Mantra – what he considers to be the serious weaknesses of German innovation policy. But what specific changes does the German research system need in light of the many crises and challenges it faces? We put this question to Thomas Sattelberger.
Über den Gesprächspartner:
- Thomas Sattelberger
war lange Jahre HR-Top-Manager in deutschen DAX-Unternehmen. Nach beruflichen Stationen bei Daimler, Lufthansa und Continental verantwortete er zuletzt bis 2012 als Personalvorstand die Funktion als Arbeitsdirektor bei der Deutschen Telekom. Nach seiner beruflichen Tätigkeit in der freien Wirtschaft wurde er für die FDP von 2017 bis 2022 in den Deutschen Bundestages gewählt und war von Dezember 2021 bis Juni 2022 Parlamentarischer Staatssekretär im Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung.
