How does acatech work?
acatech perceives itself as a flexible working academy and as a science and business network. Outstanding scientists are the driving force behind its core work, while experts from industry bring about the transfer of knowledge arising from practical applications in industry. They engage in the central issues of science and technology and in policy questions within a techno-political context. These issues are structured into topical networks that give rise to project groups in which academy members work closely with external experts from science and business.
The results are presented to policy makers, the business sector and the interested public in scientific seies, symposia, forums and discussion panels.
acatech is a non-profit agency. Its funding derives from the federal government and states. Additional funding comes from donations and projekt-related third-party sources.
Main fields of work
acatech aims to emphasise the importance of future-oriented technologies through a dialogue with the natural and social sciences as well as the humanities crossing academic and national boundaries and building a bridge between economy, science, politics, and society. acatech provides neutra, fact and science-based assessements of technology-related questions and strives to serve society with far-sighted recommendations of excellent quality. The work of the academy mainly falls into four main fields:
Knowledge Transfer
New technologies hold chances and risks. The high degree of specialisation and the speed of scientific developments make it difficult for citizens and decision makers in politics and industry alike to come to rational judgements on technological developments. Thus acatech sees it as one of its most prominent tasks to give advice to politics and the public. Knowledge transfer especially includes information on the economic importance of the technological sciences. These are driving forces for innovation and lasting growth, and therefore they play a key role in the continued development of regions and in securing future prosperity.
acatech aims to create confidence and helps to develop an open-minded, success-oriented culture of innovation through information and critical discussions with politics, industry, and the public. acatech wants to make its contribution towards ensuring that Germany with its technological capabilities stays among the world leaders.
Multidisciplinary Research
The technological sciences, in cooperation with natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, can help to solve technical, economic, ecological, and social problems on a global scale. acatech sees its task in identifying future topics and in working out solutions in interdisciplinary projects.
Working groups established by acatech develop suggestions and recommendations on topics such as mobility, sustainable energy supply, life sciences and communications technology. The working groups consist of acatech members as well as external experts from science and industry.
Engineering Education
An excellent education of technicians and engineers is a prerequisite of the innovative capacity of our country. German engineering education still enjoys a high reputation worldwide. At the same time, we meet with great challenges as to the innovation and internationalisation of our curricula. But we must start at school to foster new generations of engineers. It is here where we must inspire the young with an enthusiasm for technology and supply them with the adequate basics for their further education.
Therefore acatech is committed to reforming and improving technological education on the school and university level.
International Cooperation
At the international level, acatech represents Germany on the European Council of Applied Sciences, Technologies and Engineering (Euro-CASE) and on the International council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (CAETS).