The pandemic of the Corona virus put many restrictions on the way we currently work, meet and exchange knowledge. Prof. Christian Glock, University of Kaiserslautern, who is the project leader of the European project SeRaMCo, hereunder responds to our enquiry.
Interview with Prof. Glock, SeRaMCo Project Leader
Christian Glock, thank you for accepting this interview. SeRaMCo’s final conference which should have happened end of March was put on hold because of the Coronavirus crisis. Do you have plans to have this conference later this year?
Dear Bea, in these times the concerted action against the coronavirus is of absolute priority. The fight against the virus is a huge challenge for all of us. We wish to overcome this pandemic as soon as possible and have therefore postponed our final conference. At the same time, the speakers and the SeRaMCo team are poised in the starting blocks. As soon as we will have more clarity we will announce the new conference date.
In addition, SeRaMCo’s work in the field is certainly impacted by the Coronavirus crisis. What does the situation in research and production currently look like?
You are right, the situation is impacting our work. But we are doing our best to continue. Fortunately, we have a lot of online-communication platforms helping us. The effect on our practical works as the products and pilots cannot yet be estimated. But we will do our best.
Given this situation, what are you doing to attenuate these effects?
We work virtually together and we concentrate on innovative thinking. Being limited to online communication, it is very helpful that we have already worked together for 3 years and know and trust each other. This makes online communication easier.
Every crisis also offers new opportunities. Which opportunities do you see for the SeRaMCo project?
I totally agree. Every crisis also offers new opportunities. Sometimes it also boosts innovation and change. Concerning our team, we are learning more about digital communication and methods. Considering our overall project goal which is saving natural resources, it could be that the crisis will accelerate this transition to more sustainability in saving resources and thinking local. We can contribute with products and methods.
Last, should the corona crisis develop into an economic crisis, would this potentially also negatively impact the uptake of SeaMCo’s research by the construction industry?
This a really difficult question. You can have arguments for both options. Of course, negative impact on the economy on one hand forces the industry to be very focused on their critical products and processes. This could reduce their willingness to deal with innovations. On the other hand, I believe that this crisis also shows us, that it is very important to make the economy more sustainable. I really hope that mankind learns its lessons from this ongoing human disaster. Here we come in with our specific solutions for saving natural resources.
But again, today the most important thing is to support all provisions which have been set worldwide due to the coronavirus.
Please all stay healthy! I wish you all the best!
Prof. Christian Glock, thank you very much for your responses and your availability online. Stay healthy!