"It can get rough at times"

The university is expecting 250 scientists from all over Germany to attend the Shirtsleeve Colloquium from 8 to 10 March. This unusual scientific event is dedicated to solid state chemistry and its neighbouring fields. Here is an interview with Oldenburg chemist Prof Dr Mathias Wickleder.


Mr Wickleder, this year you are the organiser of the Shirtsleeve Colloquium. An unusual name for an unusual event?

Wickleder: You could say that! At the Shirtsleeve Colloquium, the lectures are not announced with summaries as is usual at other conferences, but only with cryptic and intriguing titles. This means that the audience does not know in advance what to expect. The speaking time for a presentation is ten minutes, so that the topic can be discussed in detail afterwards. And the discussion can be a bit shirt-sleeved.

The presentations last no more than ten minutes. That is sporty. Is it even possible to adequately present a field of research in this short time?

Wickleder: The Shirtsleeve Colloquium is attended by the Who's Who of solid body research. This means that the speakers get straight to the point. No long introductions with old favourites that every member of the audience already knows. Exciting new research results are needed to stimulate discussion!

A typical feature of the Shirtsleeve Colloquium is the in-depth discussion of the contributions. How can we imagine this? Is there a time limit?

Wickleder: Basically, there is no time limit, but there is a discussion leader who makes sure that the discussion doesn't go round in circles or degenerate into dialogue. The discussions can get quite rough at times. It stays in the "family", so to speak.

The shirtsleeve colloquium was held for the first time in Münster in 1965. So it can look back on a long tradition. What has changed over the years?

Wickleder: The event was originally planned as a discussion forum in which a few experts, usually professors, could exchange ideas. The colloquium grew steadily. There are now around 250 participants every year. This is partly due to the strong involvement of young academics and partly due to the increasing breadth of the subject.

What will be the main topics discussed at the colloquium?

Wickleder: As I said, the topics have not yet been finalised. But they will certainly cover the whole range of the subject, from synthesis and properties to the application of new solids. Solids chemistry is so multifaceted. It is difficult to reduce it to just a few focal points. Current "fashionable topics" such as energy research and nanotechnology certainly also play a decisive role.

What are your hopes for the Shirtsleeve Colloquium in Oldenburg?

Wickleder: From a scientific point of view, I would like to see a conference that encourages discussion and offers participants new insights, ideas and contacts. For our university, I hope that all visitors will perceive Oldenburg as a great conference venue and feel the atmosphere of the university's scientific awakening.