Dismissed S&T staff organise conference to ‘celebrate science’

Besides six talks from a wide variety of scientists, students will also feature prominently in the lobby, showing posters of their work. ‘Despite the sad reality of the layoffs, we don’t want to sit around and cry,’ explains professor Armağan Koçer, who is one of the driving forces behind the conference’s organisation. ‘We want to emphasise that this is just a hurdle for us to overcome as scientists. Science will always continue, which explains the conference title. It will not diminish our curiosity.’

Message of perseverance

Another reason for setting up the conference is encouraging students to keep considering a scientific career. Koçer: ‘I’ve heard that some students who once aspired to an academic career path are now reconsidering their options, which is a shame. This conference is meant to show new generations that we simply move on, despite many struggles.’

Faculty-wide effects

Koçer herself is among the people who have been dismissed, as her line of research no longer aligns with the faculty’s newly defined core focus. As a professor in biochemistry and molecular biology, she was involved in cancer research leading to a patented invention. Currently weighing her options on how to move forward, she is also one of the scientists who will speak on Thursday. ‘It isn’t about me, however. I’ll be fine. More importantly, the layoffs affect students, and technical and administrative support staff alike. The conference is also an expression of solidarity and appreciation.’

The Science as a perpetuum mobile conference is open to anyone who is interested. Some 150 people have already registered to attend. ‘But we expect the number of visitors to be higher as anyone is free to walk in and out.’