News

Shaping the Future of Innovation from the Bay Area

Emerging Technology and Geopolitics

This week, DWIH San Francisco hosted an international panel bringing together tech diplomats and representatives from industry to explore the evolving role of diplomacy in an era defined by rapid technological change. The discussion highlighted how nations are rethinking their strategies to navigate the complex intersection of technology, geopolitics, and innovation.

A Conversation Between Nadine Strossen and Erwin Chemerinsky 

Free Speech at American Universities 60 Years After the Free Speech Movement

On a recent evening at the University of California, Berkeley, a panel gathered to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the historic Free Speech Movement. The event featured legal scholars Nadine Strossen, former president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law. The discussion, moderated by Julia Schaletzky, co-chair of Heterodox Academy in Berkeley, addressed the current state of free speech on campuses, the legal environment, and the tensions between free speech and inclusion.

Delegation Visit

Information Trip for Senior Administrators of German Institutions of Higher Education

DWIH San Francisco welcomed a group of twenty-one top representatives from German higher education institutions — comprising of presidents, chancellors, and vice presidents for international affairs of German universities — to participate in a university policy information trip in the San Francisco Bay Area from March 10th to March 16th, 2024. This visit aimed to expand knowledge of the West Coast higher education systems to discuss the possibilities for cooperation between the US and German higher education institutes. Participants visited important institutions and actors in the higher education realm, as well as non-profits promoting innovation in the Greater Bay Area.

Transatlantic Science Partnerships

Meet-and-Greet with the German Research Foundation

DWIH San Francisco was delighted to support the German Reseach Foundation (DFG) at a lunch roundtable at UC Berkeley on December 5th, 2023. Diego Rivas, program manager of the San Francisco office, introduced the DFG to professors, administrators and postdocs and discussed funding opportunities for research in Germany.

Science Slam

Falling Walls Lab 2023

Three minutes was all it took! DWIH San Francisco was again delighted to host the Falling Walls Lab, a world-class pitch competition and networking forum for students, researchers, and early-career scientists of all disciplines. This year, we received twenty applications from participants around the country, and invited twelve finalists to pitch their innovative ideas. Finalists were judged based on three categories: which demonstrated a breakthrough that creates a positive impact on science and society.

March Conference

DWIH SF @ The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society 2023

Representing Research in Germany, Hanni Geist from German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and Brenda Lamboy from German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) San Francisco took part in the annual meeting of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society to promote the German research landscape, careers and funding opportunities for scientists.

Innovation Showcase

DWIH SF @ South by Southwest 2023

DWIH San Francisco and DWIH New York were delighted to jointly host The NighttimeLab in collaboration with VibeLab. The NighttimeLab took place on March 14, 2023 at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2023 and convened a global community of nighttime experts and prototypes innovative models.  

Worldwide AI Hackathon

Worldwide AI Hackathon is a flagship event co-hosted by Wow AI and Transatlantic AI eXchange as a part of the WowDAO (the 1st decentralized autonomous organization for the AI community).

Roundtable for Entrepreneurship & Research in the Life Sciences

The German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) San Francisco held a private roundtable at the Harris’ Steakhouse with German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) State Secretary Mario Brandenburg on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The topic was on Entrepreneurship & Research in the Life Sciences.

Transatlantic Partnerships

Women & Entrepreneurship

On January 25, we hosted our second transatlantic higher education-based accelerator matchmaking event between the U.S. West Coast and Germany in a virtual format. With a total of thirty-eight attendees, the event was a success. It featured Anne Cocquyt, founder of THE GUILD and author of Dare to Launch, who discussed the barriers women face in pursuing their ventures – from seeking mentors to raising capital — and how higher-education-based accelerators can better support female entrepreneurship. Participants learned about how to take action steps to ensure that women are equally represented and supported. They were also offered a worksheet and follow-up consultation sessions from Anne.