Univ. Prof. Mag. Dr. Markus Hengstschläger 13. October 2017

Hengstschläger: "Yes, to orchid subjects"

Geneticist Markus Hengstschläger supports basic research despite focus on STEM fields, emphasizing the importance of humanities and niche subjects for addressing future unknown questions through broad education. He distinguishes between "directed" and "undirected" innovations to highlight the need for diverse expertise in shaping the future.

Basic researchers are needed, the geneticist and natural scientist is convinced.

Are humanities studies, basic researchers, or so-called niche subjects becoming obsolete in our highly technological times? Do we still need them? These are the questions that the natural scientist and geneticist Markus Hengstschläger is repeatedly confronted with. "Absolutely," is his answer – even though as a natural scientist, he is a big supporter of the so-called STEM subjects. "I also wonder whether the currently dominant questions on our planet – such as migration, religion and terrorism, or political populism – are more likely to be answered through broad education rather than focused training." In addition, we never know exactly what the future holds for us. "In 1986, during my graduation year," Hengstschläger says, "naturally interested young people were recommended to study nuclear physics because it was assumed that we would need it to the highest extent in the future." Today, the focus is on fields like computer science and digitalization.

"Directed Innovation"

Therefore, Hengstschläger has coined two terms for himself: "directed innovation" and "undirected innovation." Directed innovations provide answers to questions that are already known: there is a problem, but no solution yet, and innovations are needed for that. It requires a corresponding education that is oriented towards the known questions and promises high demand in the market from today's perspective. On the other hand, undirected innovations create answers to questions whose significance may come into play at some point. "And," Hengstschläger is convinced, "the more experts there are today, the more likely it is that in the future, someone will have an answer to a question that we do not know today because it will only arise tomorrow."

Hengstschläger: "Yes, to orchid subjects"

Basic researchers are needed, the geneticist and natural scientist is convinced.

"Directed Innovation"

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