We talked to TRA Manager Dr. Birgit Westernströer, who gave some interesting insights into the TRA Matter and its offers.
Could you share what you consider to be the most pressing topics or challenges currently addressed within the TRA?
The vision of the Transdisciplinary Research Area “Building Blocks of Matter and Fundamental Interactions” (TRA Matter) is to foster open thinking and to facilitate exchange and networks across conventional boundaries in the exploration of the physical world. To work towards achieving its vision, TRA Matter provides a platform to support risky, idea-driven endeavors. Here, basic research meets cutting-edge technology to explore nature on differing length and time scales. Especially, collaboration between particle physicists, molecular scientists, quantum technologists, and astronomers is key to generating new insights into the structures, properties, and interactions of the fundamental building blocks of matter which our universe consists of. The focus is on developing impactful new methods and systems for addressing today’s challenges, ranging from big data and information technologies to healthcare and environmental sustainability. In addition, TRA Matter promotes interactions with researchers from disciplines beyond the natural sciences (e.g. humanities). Breaking down the cultural barriers between natural sciences and humanities is a challenge we are addressing by joining forces with our colleagues from other TRAs across the faculties. Finally, TRA Matter also seeks interactions with society to explore the impact of fundamental science on our collective understanding of the world and the challenges we face.
How many members are involved in the TRA and what subject areas do they represent?
Since the establishment of TRA Matter in 2019, the scientific network has grown to over 100 members from different disciplines (e.g. Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Philosophy, Computer Science, Pharmacy, Geosciences, etc.). A large majority of scientists belongs to the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences; however, more and more members from other faculties (e.g. Agriculture, Medicine, and Arts) are joining TRA Matter. The additional appointment of three female high-profile professors (Jun-Prof. Dr. Lena Funcke – Clausius Professor for Computational Field Theory, Jun-Prof. Dr. Patrycja Kielb – Argelander Professor for Biohybrid Research and Prof. Dr. Serena Viti – designated Hertz Chair for Astrochemistry) by TRA Matter has further strengthened our research profile as well as enriched our community along interdisciplinary interfaces.
What makes the TRA particularly interesting for early-career researchers, and how might they benefit from being involved?
Particularly interesting for early-career researchers are the networking opportunities offered by TRA Matter. TRA Matter especially aims to strengthen the inter- and transdisciplinary dialog between scientists, not only across different fields but also across different experiences and career levels. For this, TRA Matter hosted several networking events over the past 5 years. I would particularly like to highlight the last two annual TRA Matter Networking Symposiums “MATTER connects” at which early-career researchers from TRA Matter-associated groups have been invited to present their research to the TRA community in posters or via flash talks. The aim was to give the next generation of researchers at an early stage of their career the opportunity to present their research as well as to enable them to conduct a dialogue with researchers across disciplines and faculties. Besides that, we offered in 2024, for the second time, a Hands-on Workshop “Machine Learning”, especially to early-career researchers from TRA Matter, TRA Modelling, TRA Life and Health, and the Bonner Forum Biomedicine.
If early-career researchers would like to learn more about the TRA and how to join, when and where can they meet you directly?
We regularly endeavor to present TRA Matter at internal university events, such as the Postdoc Day 2025, which took place last month at the Uni Club Bonn, or at the past two science festivals of the University of Bonn. You can find us next week (May 21), together with the other five Transdisciplinary Research Areas, at the Sustainability Day of the University of Bonn (Campus Poppelsdorf). Besides that, if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly by e-mail or phone. Finally, I would like to refer you to our homepage, where new events and activities will be announced at regular intervals.