Advertise on podcast: Made in Science – The official podcast of the University of Stuttgart

In this episode, host Wolfgang Holtkamp sits down with Professor Leonie Fischer, Director of the Institute of Landscape Planning and Ecology at the University of Stuttgart, to talk about urban ecology and what it means to build the city of tomorrow, one green idea at a time. The conversation goes beyond plants and parks: touching on daylighting hidden rivers buried under concrete, reimagining marketplaces and playgrounds as living green space, and Stuttgart's role as a testbed for nature-based solutions. Along the way, a deeper question emerges: what does it take to make sure the greener city we're building belongs to everyone? An episode about climate, equity, and the quiet power of bringing nature back into everyday city life.

In this episode, host Wolfgang Holtkamp sits down with Professor Jens Anders, Director of the Institute of Smart Sensors at the University of Stuttgart, to talk about quantum sensing and what it means to measure the impossible. The conversation goes beyond the lab: touching on miniaturized spectrometers the size of a two-euro coin, the race to bring quantum sensors into medicine and wearables, and Stuttgart's role as a global quantum hub. Along the way, a deeper question emerges: what happens when the instruments we use to understand the world become small enough to wear on your wrist? An episode about curiosity, precision, and the quiet revolution happening at the limits of what science can measure.

In this episode, host Dr. Wolfgang Holtkamp sits down with Professor Michael Resch, director of the High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart, to talk about supercomputers like Hunter and their impact on science, industry, and society. The conversation goes beyond raw processing power: touching on energy efficiency, strategic foresight, and Europe's role in the global tech race. Along the way, unexpected connections between technology and art raise a deeper question: what does it mean to stay human in an increasingly digital world? An episode about curiosity, responsibility, and making the impact of science visible.

How does a technology travel from the lab into real-world traffic? In this episode, Wolfgang Holtkamp talks with Prof. Nejila Parspour from the University of Stuttgart about inductive charging, autonomous buses, and why even the most promising innovations can stall. She explains the role of patents and risk-taking in advancing new technologies — and why universities are indispensable as a bridge between research and real-world application. From electromobility to medical engineering: wireless power transfer is reshaping entire industries. A conversation about courage, patience, and the engineers of tomorrow.

In this episode of Made in Science, host Wolfgang Holtkamp sits down with Professor Marco Aiello - Head of the Service Computing Department at the Institute for Architecture of Application Systems (IAAS) at the University of Stuttgart - to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming not just computer science, but every facet of research and daily life. Together, they dive into the metaphor of AI as a tsunami, trace the rapid rise of large language models, and examine the challenges of interdisciplinary collaboration and an ever-expanding volume of scientific publications. The conversation also tackles the energy demands of modern data centers, the evolving role of software in the automotive industry, and the urgent need for green IT — before turning to curiosity-driven research, the risks and promise of humanoid robotics, and why understanding technological history matters now more than ever. An honest, wide-ranging conversation about the unstoppable wave of AI shaping our world.

What is marketing really about and why are we all more influenced than we think? In this episode, Prof. Christina Kühnl, Chair of Marketing at the University of Stuttgart, explains why marketing goes far beyond advertising and how digital communication, customer experience and leadership are reshaping the field. We talk about interdisciplinary research, data-driven insights from social media, and her current work on gender bias in top management communication. A conversation about visibility, value creation and the future of marketing in the age of AI.

Companies shape our world: economically, politically, and culturally. In this episode of Made in Science, Dr. Wolfgang Holtkamp talks to Prof. Boris Gehlen, Endowed Professor of Business History at the University of Stuttgart, about the role of corporations in modern societies. What can business history explain that other disciplines cannot? How do companies make decisions under uncertainty? What responsibilities have they carried – historically and today – in contexts such as democracy, globalization, and regulation? Prof. Gehlen also shares his personal journey as a first-generation student who entered academia without a clear career plan – and why curiosity and courage matter more than certainty. An episode about corporate power, social responsibility and the value of studying history.

Few people know that George Orwell once walked across a small footbridge in Stuttgart and that the experience may have shaped one of the most influential dystopias ever written. In this episode of Made in Science host Wolfgang Holtkamp talks to Dr Geoff Rodoreda, literary scholar and former journalist, about Orwell’s little-known three months as a war correspondent in 1945 and his visit to Stuttgart just after its “liberation”. Rodoreda explains how archival work, field trips to Paris, London and the Neckar riverbank, and even a surviving footbridge helped him reconstruct Orwell’s time in Germany and why he sees echoes of these experiences in "1984". In the second half, the conversation turns to contemporary Australian and Indigenous literature, truth-telling about colonial violence, and what German students can learn from these stories about coming to terms with a difficult past.

In this episode of Made in Science, psychologist Prof. Cornelia Sindermann explores the ambivalent effects of social media on our mental well-being. From fostering social connection and identity to creating stress and addictive patterns, her research uncovers how digital platforms can be both empowering and harmful. Learn how her team combines surveys, behavioral data, and experiments to understand these dynamics – and why media literacy is crucial for the future of our society.

What if machines could learn from the softness of human skin? In this episode of Made in Science, we talk to Junior Professor Aniket Pal from the Institute of Applied Mechanics at the University of Stuttgart. He leads a cutting-edge research group exploring soft robotics – machines made entirely of soft materials like rubber or polymers. Pal shares how his Emmy Noether-funded research bridges fundamental science and future applications: from shape-shifting soft actuators to smart catheters for MRI procedures. We discuss how artificial intelligence can help control machines with “infinite degrees of freedom” and why real innovation needs time, patience, and the courage to explore the unknown. Whether you're curious about the future of robotics, interdisciplinary research, or how to get started as a PhD student in Germany – this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now to find out why insight must precede application.

Transformation is not a trend – it’s a necessity. In this episode, Professor Thomas Bauernhansl shares his vision of the future of industrial production. As Director of the Institute of Industrial Manufacturing and Management (IFF) at the University of Stuttgart and Director at Fraunhofer IPA, he discusses the shift from digital to biological transformation, the importance of sustainability as an innovation driver, and why efficiency is no longer enough. We dive into circular economy models, new materials, systemic thinking, and the crucial role of universities and startups in shaping change. Bauernhansl also reflects on international experiences, educational reform, and how to maintain motivation in fast-paced times. A conversation about courage, complexity – and the future we must actively design.

In this 50th edition of Made in Science, Prof. Inés de Castro – director of the Linden Museum Stuttgart and member of the University Council of the University of Stuttgart – reflects on the role of ethnological museums in a rapidly changing world. She discusses the responsibility of institutions with colonial legacies, the importance of provenance research and restitution, and the need to foster new forms of identity and social cohesion – especially in a city where over 50% of the population has a migration background. An insightful conversation about inclusion, transformation, and the search for “the new Stuttgart.”

How would governance work on Mars? And what can we learn about democratic preferences on Earth? In this episode, Professor André Bächtiger, a political scientist at the University of Stuttgart, discusses his ERC-funded research into the design of governance systems for the Red Planet and compares democratic models in the US, Germany and the Global South. He examines how dominant discourses shape democracy, the role of deliberation in education and the potential of AI in university discussions. Look forward to a stimulating conversation about the future of democracy - on Earth and beyond!

Professor Zamira Daw discusses her research on AI certification and integration in aerospace applications. She highlights her journey from Colombia to Germany and the US, emphasizing the importance of safety-critical systems in both medical devices and aviation. Daw explains the need for model-driven development and embedded systems to ensure AI safety in aviation. She notes the growing interest in AI but stresses its careful application. Daw also addresses the gender imbalance in STEM fields, advocating for early education to encourage girls. She highlights the importance of collaboration and mentorship in her work and the need for a balance between innovation and safety in AI.

Our interviewee is Amrei Bahr, a philosopher specialising in applied ethics, aesthetics and the philosophy of technology at the University of Stuttgart. She is one of the co-founders of the university policy initiative ‘I am Hanna’. We talk about her research on applied ethics. She criticises the current open access publication system, which she believes is still a financial burden for many researchers. Bahr also emphasises the ethical problems of global waste management, in particular the harmful conditions in the recycling of electronic waste in Ghana. She argues in favour of a more differentiated approach to recycling and calls for better working conditions in academia, referring to her campaign against fixed-term contracts.