A warning: Here I allow myself to write a little more extensively. As a communicator, I learned to be brief or better said to adapt the length of a text to the occasion. But this page is called "ABOUT ME" and I am a human being and I work with and for people. Therefore, I would like to give you an insight into my professional career to date, the insights and decisions that have shaped me as a person along this path.

within old walls

I am not one of those people who already knew as child that they want to become a scientist. As a teenager, I wanted to become a conservator. I prefered to spend my time in old buildings and ruins. So after leaving school, my professional journey as a trainee in the field of architectural heritage.

It was then that I noticed for the first time that the job you have changes the way you look at the world. The sight of peeling wall paint made my fingers itch. What might the layers of paint underneath look like? As a conservator, you usually use a scalpel and uncover the individual layers of paint piece by piece. It requires patience and perseverance. Qualities that are not only useful in heritage conservation.

in chemistry and physics labs

I decided to study chemistry anyway and discovered my enthusiasm for science. After my doctorate in physical chemistry, I switched to fundamental research and physics. While my chemistry degree mainly taught me the practical and theoretical skills, my doctorate and my research work shaped and trained my analytical thinking.

During my time as a doctoral student, I made my first explorations into public relations and communication. I spoke about my own work and that of my colleagues at open days and Long Nights of Science. An important "aha!" from back then: talking about my work made me realise for myself again why I like doing research! During a doctorate, tough phases and doubts are not uncommon. It was good to look at my own work from a completely different perspective.

on the stage

After ten years in research, I traded the darkness of an optics laboratory for the stage of science communication. This stage was not just a metaphorical one. The spectrum of communication formats is broad and I was given the privilege of exploring it extensively - lectures, evening events, trade fairs, campaign texts, concepts for graphics, accompanying video recordings and visitor groups, internal communication, ... The diversity of my projects would be an article of its own.

Perhaps it can be summarised as follows: my treasure trove of experience has expanded enormously. In the course of my work, my view became more and more strategic, in particular because there are so many possibilities for communication activities. Which formats are suitable, which work to achieve what you have set out to do? Because our own time and financial resources are limited. So we have to focus.

behind the stage

After working as a science communicator for a while, I shifted my focus to consulting others. Through workshops, networks and individual consultations on specific projects, I supported colleagues in their strategic communication planning.

As a consultant, I offer my professional and methodological toolbox. My aim is to avoid a generalised increase in communication and instead to take a very close look at which activities and measures make sense and can be implemented for the respective situation.

As a freelancer, I now combine both – I advise others and am an active communicator myself.

my driving force

The common thread on my professional path is curiosity and thirst for knowledge of what is still undiscovered (by me or the world). Whether it is technical equipment, nature phenomena, algorithms of social media platforms, concepts of infographics or the planning and performance of campaigns – to me it is exciting to understand how something functions; by reading, asking questions, tinkering and trying it out myself.

Communication is often about storytelling. As a communicator, however, I am also a story listener. I get to look into many laboratories and behind very different scenes. I am given the opportunity to discuss with experts from a wide range of disciplines. This is a privilege that inspires and motivates me time and again and gives me precious "aha" moments.

It's like a great book that never ends, and I just love that about my work.