Merten Dahlkemper

Community Engagement on Open Science at CERN | Science Communication

Nyon, Vaud, Switzerland

About

My fundamental motivation has always been to understand the underlying principles of things. In my childhood, physics was the only true science in my eyes, which I then logically went on to study. During my studies, however, I came to appreciate the meta-level of science more and more—those underlying principles I mentioned. Simultaneously, I developed an interest in teaching physics and was able to combine both passions in my doctorate in physics education, where I could research how people learn about physics through the process of teaching it. In my current role, I can finally unify everything: teaching, learning, and the meta-level of science. Every day, I learn something new about the underlying mechanics of how a complex system like science functions. As part of my current position, I am developing a strategy to engage the scientific community in Open Science and managing the local organizing team for the Open Science Fair that will take place at CERN Science Gateway. This work reflects my values and motivations by making the significance of science accessible to a broad audience and fostering an inclusive learning environment that incorporates diverse perspectives and experiences.​

Experience

  • CERN (5 yrs 9 mos)
    • Community Engagement Manager
      Feb 2025 - Present · 1 yr 5 mos

      I am developing and implementing a strategy for community engagement with Open Science across the scientific community of CERN. Also, I’m project manager for the local organisation of the Open Science Fair taking place at CERN Science Gateway in September 2025.

    • Science Communicator
      Sep 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 10 mos

      Giving Science Shows, Lab Workshops, and guided tours of CERN facilities.

    • PhD student
      Oct 2020 - Sep 2024 · 4 yrs

      Joint PhD at Uni Göttingen and CERN: Design-based research in the field of particle physics education. I am designing learning material to explain the advanced topic of "Feynman diagrams" to upper secondary students in a both engaging and scientifically accurate way.

  • Georg-August-Universität Göttingen/Fakultät für Physik (Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany)
    • Teaching Assistant
      Oct 2019 - Oct 2020 · 1 yr 1 mo

      Organisation of a seminar on various topics around the climate crisis.

    • Teaching Assistant
      Oct 2016 - Sep 2019 · 3 yrs

      teaching in various courses: - Preparatory course "Mathematical methods of physics" - lab course on experimental physics - Introduction to Astrophysics

  • Internship in science policy at Rat für Informationsinfrastrukturen
    Apr 2020 - Jun 2020 · 3 mos

    Research and analysis of information infrastructures in the science system of the Netherlands.

  • Studentische Hilfskraft at Niedersächsische Staats-und Universitätsbibliothek
    Dec 2019 - Mar 2020 · 4 mos

    I got insight into the multiple responsibilities of a librarian, from the acquisition and classification of books, to the development of training offers on research data management, open science, informational competencies, and digital competencies.