International Junior Scientists Workshop

• Prof. Hermann Gaub, Center for NanoScience (Munich)
• Prof. Christoph Gerber, NCCR Nano / Swiss Nanoscience Institute (Basel)

40 PhD students and PostDocs working in the field of nanotechnology. The selected participants come from: China, Japan, India, Iran, Pakistan, Europe, Afrika, South America and the USA.

1. Identify global challenges
   From gofer’s perspective of the lab to eagle’s view of the world!
2. Identify, where nano-science can contribute to solutions
   Convergence with other technologies with the goal to develop sustainable low-key technologies.
3. Formation of a world-wide junior nano-scientist network
   Direct personal contact will make joint projects possible, which otherwise might be stuck in the mud-holes of bureaucracy.

• When: April 21- 24, 2008
• Where: San Servolo, Laguna of Venice, Italy
• Accommodation: VIU-dorms on San Servolo (3-bed and 4-bed rooms)
• Arrival: April 20 (reception is open the whole night long); Departure: April 24
• Participants: 40 senior PhD-students or postdocs
• Fees and costs: No conference fee. CeNS & NCCR will cover all costs on San Servolo, including accommodations and meals for the participants. Participants have to raise their own travel funds.
• Language: English

Day 1: Who am I

• Presentations on own research, 5 minutes each, summarized on a poster.

Day 2: Identify global challenges

• Round table discussions in 6-8 groups with 5-6 people; composition remixes after 30 minutes; table leader summarizes and continues next round
• Identify the most urgent problems that threaten our future.
• Wrap-up of the conclusions in the big group.

Day 3: Identify how nanoscience might provide help

• Discussions about how to approach the problems identified.
• Identify how nano-aspects may be relevant for solutions.
• Wrap-up of the conclusions in the big group.

Day 4: Draft a whitepaper for the public/politics

• Summarize the results of the discussions and sketch the outline of a report

Press release 17.4.2008

Download report (PDF, 6 MB)