We need to work with smart people wherever they are

Matthias Kaiserswerth, Director of the IBM Research Lab in Zurich, knows a thing or two about overseeing big decisions and projects – whether it’s building highly specialised nanotech laboratories or designing Europe’s largest supercomputer.

His day job is overseeing a team of computer and electrical engineers, mathematicians, physicists and chemists coming from more than 30 - mostly European - countries. The Zurich lab has been on the block since 1956 and has played its part in successive waves of innovation in the computer industry.

Here, Kaiserswerth talks to Science|Business about research collaboration, the dangers of protectionist thinking, his lack of concern for Switzerland’s demotion in Horizon 2020 and creating “the 29th member state.”

Q: What areas of innovation are of most interest to you at present?

A: I think there’s a lot of potential in Big Data. Europe has a great opportunity to turn data into insight. Take healthcare data alone. Healthcare is becoming increasingly digital and requires increasingly complex computer solutions – as a computer company, this field is of great interest to us. If we have aggregate data on someone, we will be able to see possible side-effects for a patient much sooner. We can also make decisions on how to optimise treatments.

Q: What models of research would you like to see more of in Europe?

A: Today’s problems are often complex and need collaborative efforts to be solved. I believe very strongly that we need to do more in public-private partnering. To give you one example in Switzerland, ETH Zurich, the university, is currently involved in a massive €90 million project in nano-science research. To facilitate this research, we built and operate a joint centre between our own lab and ETH Zurich. It is a unique partnership: a truly open platform where we both commit partners and associates to work on nanotechnology projects and research.

I would like to emphasise that we are open to other European members and we need to maintain this openness. We need to be careful of protectionist views – it’s not the case that the only smart people are here in Europe. We need to work with people wherever they are. IBM is not American, Indian or Chinese. In fact, although formed in the States, our biggest office is in India.  

Q: In general, do you see too much red tape for researchers in Europe?

A: I see simplification as a good thing, always. In the digital economy, to take one example, Europe is failing. Entrepreneurs have to work in 28 different administrative systems. The US has retained a comparative advantage here. We need to create a 29th member state: one that has a single, predictable rule structure. There is definitely room for improvement.

Q: What was your reaction to Switzerland’s demotion in Horizon 2020?

A: I think it is unfortunate that Switzerland is frozen out of the programme. We actively participate in the EU’s research programmes, as you are aware. We were extremely successful under the EU's last research programme round, 2007 to 2013. Some 321 European Research Council (ERC) grantees came to Switzerland in this period. Being able to collaborate with EU partners is very important for us.

Q: So are Swiss researchers worried?

A: No – the Swiss government has said it would step in to fill the gap. It may affect 2014, but I express hope that the situation will change. Our status is now as a third party, which is obviously worse than being an associated country, but we have outstanding researchers. ETH Zurich, for example, is the finest university in Europe. We will always remain a desired partner.