Mediation Process for the Human Brain Project

Jülich, 12 September 2014 – On the initiative of Henry Markram, project coordinator of the Human Brain Project (HBP), the leaders of the subprojects (the Board of Directors) have set a mediation process in motion for the HBP. This represents the Board's response to the current discussion in the neuroscience community within the project and beyond. The reason for this action was the different opinions as to whether the scientific focus and structures have evolved in the course of the project in such a manner as to provide the best possible foundation for brain research and the objectives of the HBP. The HBP involves cooperation between scientists from 24 nations and 112 institutions in 12 research fields.

The mediator appointed is Wolfgang Marquardt, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Forschungszentrum Jülich since 1 July 2014, and prior to that professor at RWTH Aachen University and Chairman of the German Council of Science and Humanities. He is not a member of any organ within the governance or structure of the HBP. The mediation process is intended to develop and realize proposals for restructuring the project governance. Another goal is to establish and implement a new balanced scientific focus for the HBP.
The process is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.

Press Contact:

Dr. Anne Rother
Press spokesperson / Head of Corporate Communications
E-Mail: MediationForHBP@fz-juelich.de