Six questions to...Barbara Warmbein

A lot of love, dedication, enthusiasm and originality

1. What did you want to become when you were little? Did you come close to this professional dream at DESY? And what are you doing now?

I have always loved to read and make up stories and actually wanted to become a writer. But I had no idea how to do that - so I first became a journalist, which also has to do with writing. At the same time, I became a physics fangirl - and now I write mainly about particle physics. At DESY, I worked in the PR department for a long time, organising events and exhibitions, writing news, press releases and newsletters, looking after websites and the media, and always paying attention to bilingualism and British English. That was and remains my professional dream - to communicate the exciting science at DESY and other research centres and make it comprehensible. In 2021, I started my own business as a freelance science communicator. I'm not a writer (yet), but I'm passionate about writing every day, and who knows: maybe I'll get to (co-)write a book again one day.

2. What is your best, funniest or strangest experience at DESY?

The best thing about DESY is its people. Several times I was part of the organisation team for the Open Day. Each time it was a lot of work, planning, sleepless nights, seemingly unsolvable problems... but they were gone in the blink of an eye when the doors opened on the day itself and the curious visitors streamed across the site. Then almost all DESY employees were ready and waiting to explain "their" science, "their" technology, "their" workshop, "their" DESY to the streams of visitors with an incredible amount of love, dedication, enthusiasm and originality. That is a very special quality at DESY that I have never experienced anywhere else.

Oh, and the baby! In the "Art meet Science: Dark Matter" project that I organised, scientists and artists worked together creatively and scientifically on the topic of dark matter for an exhibition. One scientist and one artist took their productive collaboration literally and are now the proud parents of a little girl!

3. Do you have a photo from your time at DESY that you would like to share with us?

I have lots of photos, because I like to take pictures myself. Every business trip, every event, every milestone in accelerator construction or detector testing has its own folder on my laptop. However, because it fits: a photo from the Open Day 2017, where the Higgs particle also played a central role...

4. Assuming you were allowed to take one item from DESY, no matter how big or small. What would it be and why?

Well, I probably wouldn't say no to one of those accelerator tunnels under the house...

5. Your favourite meal in the DESY canteen or your favourite drink in the cafeteria?

Is there any other acceptable answer to this than "currywurst fries"?!

6. Is there anything you have been missing since you left DESY?

Of course, my dear colleagues and the great people at DESY! Fortunately, as a freelancer, I can continue to work on DESY projects, so I don't really have to say goodbye. That's why it's also very important for me to continue to stay in contact with DESY as an alumna.

🌼

Thank you so much, Barbara!