Annual Report 2022

In 2022, we celebrated the 50^th Anniversary of Fraunhofer ISI. As we looked back and took pride in what we had achieved, we also made the most of the anniversary year to consider the role of our institute in the future.

We have been part of the German and the international research landscape since 1972, and the original idea of our founder Prof. Helmar Krupp continues to shape our work today: He wanted to add a new perspective to the purely technologically oriented Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and established a new understanding of the innovation system at that time with a holistic way of thinking.

Our mission then and as it is now is to provide expertise to politics, business and society, and to shed light on the origins and impacts of innovations. Even though this mission has remained the same, the specific topics and research questions of our institute have of course changed over the last half a century – and we have along with them: Our family tree shows our evolution into the current seven different Competence Centers, each with their own research priorities, while remaining closely interlinked. This ensures that we can guarantee a systemic, holistic perspective of our research topics that is based on our interdisciplinary approach and broad mix of methods.

To this day, we all work to help politics, business and society actively shape the future. Based on evidence, we propose solutions to ensure that future generations will also be able to live well. In the current situation with its many interconnected crises, we feel compelled to say: Today, this work is more necessary than ever before.

As early as 1972, the Club of Rome warned of the risks of unrestrained growth. Even if the predictions have not exactly come true, we can already see the dramatic consequences of climate change today. This should be an incentive for all of us to live more sustainably and to get actively involved in the political and social processes that are trying hard to come up with solutions.

International conflicts are also changing the role of research: An insular way of thinking is impossible; close cooperation is becoming more and more important. Whether through international project consortia or the exchange of knowledge and ideas between individuals in science, business, politics and society, we are convinced that international cooperation at all levels can contribute to a more peaceful world.

We can only overcome the numerous challenges together. Our work is to bring scientifically-based findings into public discourse as the voice of evidence. At the same time, we are motivated by the idea of strengthening trust in science and research.

Our more than 300 employees are the bedrock of our work, their outstanding skills form the basis for addressing complex issues in an interdisciplinary manner. Whether this concerns the governance of innovation systems, electric mobility, artificial intelligence, a sustainable energy supply or future value creation: The expertise of Fraunhofer ISI is in demand. We are very aware of this great responsibility and accept it with joy and gratitude.

All the scientific and non-scientific employees of the past 50 years have contributed to our enduring success with their skills and great dedication. In the future, we want to continue to provide excellent analyses, evidence-based foresight and making an active contribution. Our success story to date serves as an obligation, an incentive and encouragement in this regard. We are looking forward to the next 50 years.

The Institute’s Directors

Dr. Manfred Wittenstein, Chair of the Supervisory Board of WITTENSTEIN SE, was a member of the Fraunhofer ISI Board of Trustees from 2005. From 2010 to 2022, he was its Chair and, in this capacity, a constant source of valuable input for the Institute – during numerous personal meetings, strategic discussions, with contributions to our annual reports and, not least, with his speech at the ceremony marking the 50^th anniversary of the founding of Fraunhofer ISI.

In 2022, it was our turn to share words of thanks and appreciation: At the end of the year, we bade farewell to Dr. Manfred Wittenstein as Chair and member of our Board of Trustees.

During Dr. Wittenstein’s time as Chair, Fraunhofer ISI grew significantly. Dr. Wittenstein was always supportive of this process and provided valuable suggestions through his critical and constructive advice, which contributed to its success. His support of the introduction of a systematic quality and knowledge management system helped the institute to position itself in a performance-oriented manner.

As a member of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Wittenstein always took part in discussions in a constructive, informative and open manner, but also in a way that was critical and challenging, and was able to contribute his wealth of experience from business, associations and other committees. At all times, he emphasized how important the interface is between science and industry, an area in which Fraunhofer ISI is very active.

Dr. Wittenstein never viewed his company or the institute in a “vacuum”. On the contrary, it was always important for him to maintain an ongoing dialog with those around him, after all, this is the only way to find out just what people's needs are and what innovations are really necessary. With this knowledge, innovations can be designed in a socially acceptable way and be successful on the market.

From the outset, Dr. Wittenstein considered all the pillars of sustainability to be among the fundamental principles of economic and scientific activity. More than ten years ago, he encouraged Fraunhofer ISI to research the subject of electric mobility, which is so topical today. As early as the 2010 Annual Report, he underlined the fact that sustainable resource use and environmental protection require innovative technologies, demonstrating how Dr. Wittenstein was always a pioneer in the field of sustainability and innovation.

On November 29, 2022, we officially bade farewell to Dr. Wittenstein as Chair and as a board member during the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees. We would like to thank Dr. Wittenstein most warmly for his enduring dedication to our institute and are certain that he will continue to be closely involved with Fraunhofer ISI as an important ally for many years to come.

At the same time, we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Mirjam Storim, Head of Innovation Strategy, Strategic Value Creation at the BMW Group, on her new position as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Fraunhofer ISI and to thank her for her willingness to provide us with even greater support.