academics: How would you advise scientists who find themselves going from one fixed-term contract to another in teaching and research today ?
Harald Lesch: They should set themselves a limit. If by a certain point you haven't managed to get a permanent position somewhere, you should say to yourself, "Okay academia, you didn't want me, so nuts to you."
academics: But you never reached that critical point ...
Harald Lesch: I was simply extremely lucky: my career went like a hot knife through butter - that's how smoothly! My post here in Munich only became vacant because a colleague had chosen to go to Basel. And when this previously ad personam professorship became vacant, I managed to get it. But if I hadn't been appointed to LMU, I'd probably be a head of department for natural sciences and philosophy at an adult education centre now.
academics: Was that really a possibility?
Harald Lesch: Yes, it was. I did quite a bit of theatre acting and had good contacts to the adult education centre. And when the association was looking to hire someone back then I did have a certain inclination to apply.
academics: Does your popularity cause you any problems among your scientific colleagues?
Harald Lesch: Quite the opposite: I just gave a lecture that was attended by 1,300 people. My colleagues invite me because they know I'll fill the house. And because I don't do any peer reviewing, I'm completely harmless. I don't take advantage of my media presence to promote any academic projects. A long, long time ago I worked as a peer reviewer for the German Research Foundation, but I've been staying out of all that for quite some time now. I wouldn't want to be suspected of taking advantage of my media presence to attract research funding. I just try to do what I'm supposed to: work as a lecturer.
academics: Are your lectures especially well attended by students?
Harald Lesch: I teach astronomy to bachelor students. Those lectures are pretty busy. Many students from other disciplines also come to see what I'm up to. Some of those stick around.
academics: Sometimes by changing their degree course?
Harald Lesch: Oh yes. I teach philosophy and physics. One part of my teaching load is physics, the other part is philosophy at the Munich School of Philosophy run by the Jesuits. And there have been quite a few physics students who are now studying philosophy as a minor subject, as there are philosophers who are now studying physics.
academics: How well are women represented in physics?
Harald Lesch: The proportion of women is increasing all the time. I'd estimate that about a third are women now, with an upward trend.
academics: What would you suggest in order to make physics more attractive as a subject?
Harald Lesch: Changes in mathematics teaching would help a lot. Of the utmost importance is the connection of physics as an appendix to mathematics. There is far too much calculating at school and not enough experimenting. Maths lessons are too theoretical and not sufficiently applied. Children frequently don't know what it is they are working out. Teaching should take more time to explain what certain mathematical techniques are good for. They give life guidance: if you can work out percentages, you'll notice more quickly if someone is trying to cheat you. If you understand the rule of three, you'll be able to work out more quickly whether something has become more expensive or cheaper. There should be much greater focus on applied mathematics teaching in school. Then physics would also have a better chance. As it is, physics has the image of an incredibly difficult mathematical science. That puts many people off.