We live in a World of Polarities —
Communication Science Builds Bridges.
We need to be scientists, but also pragmatists. We need to be humanists, but also “digitalists.” We need to be individual humans, but also see the big questions for humankind.
five things about me in a nutshell:
No. 1
I’M A SCIENTIST.
My passion lies in generating new knowledge that reaches beyond what we already know. Knowledge generation comes with responsibility. Therefore, scientific excellence is my golden standard. Interpersonal communication serves scientific accuracy. And communication science informs effective science communication.
No. 2
I’M AN INTERDISCIPLINARY THINKER.
If there is a single objective truth, then it is found between our scientific disciplines. Therefore, I generate research and scientific conventions that create new interdisciplinary overlap — so that we can approach and shed light onto that “truth” from diverse angles and scientific viewpoints.
No. 3
I’M A TEAM BUILDER.
Together, we can achieve more. Consistent with my interdisciplinary premise, I created two think tanks that developed into international scientific institutions: the Global Center for the Advancement of Communication Science in Healthcare (ISCOME) and the Center for the Advancement of Healthcare Quality and Safety (CAHQS).
No. 4
I’M A PRAGMATIST.
Our life is becoming increasingly digital. One of the core challenges for communication science is the necessity to befriend our interpersonal togetherness with the digital age. Shared understanding is more difficult to attain via digital channels. Therefore, the golden key is to find ways in which digital tools can enhance (instead of replace) human communication.
No. 5
I’M A FUTURIST.
We need to be individual humans, but also see the big questions for humankind. Who we are in our own little worlds needs to align with a healthy focus on these big questions. And as scientists, we have the responsibility to focus our research on such heuristic life matters. Safe interpersonal communication, for one, is essential for our continued peaceful coexistence, health, and survival on this planet.