Parsa Asna Ashari, Digitalization of Quality Infrastructure Section
Source: BAM
Interview series "Introducing People@BAM"
Parsa Asna Ashari, Digitalization of Quality Infrastructure Section
Parsa, tell us a little bit about yourself. Why did you choose to pursue a PhD at BAM?
After completing my Bachelor’s in International Relations and Social Sciences in Erfurt, I pursued my Master’s in International Development Studies in Marburg. Throughout my studies, I have been incredibly passionate about sustainable development and the economics behind it. However, besides the three traditional pillars of sustainable development – namely economic, ecological, and social - technological development will be essential to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. With BAM as a senior scientific and technical federal authority and the emerging field of hydrogen energy at BAM, I was attracted by the opportunity to pursue a PhD dealing with the innovation economics perspective on hydrogen as the sustainable energy carrier of the future.
Do you have any role models and, if so, which ones?
To be honest, I have no particular role models, but I generally admire people involved in researching and developing sustainable innovations. These technologies will pave the way for a better future and a more livable planet. With their tireless efforts, those people will help reduce the effect of humankind on climate change and facilitate the lives of the people. Especially by combining economic and environmental objectives, industries will inevitably move faster toward net zero. This is something I particularly appreciate.
What does your research focus on, and what excites you most about this topic?
As I mentioned, I am passionate about technologies that contribute to sustainable development. Inevitably, hydrogen will play a crucial role as an energy carrier in the global sustainability transition. However, we have not yet reached the scale of extensive hydrogen technology development and use. BAM’s slogan, “safety in technology and chemistry”, perfectly illustrates that safety is one of the essential requirements for a successful market ramp-up of hydrogen technologies. Therefore, at the intersection of economic and technical research, my PhD thesis researches R&D advancements in hydrogen technologies and safety channeled through publications, patents, and standards. Furthermore, my research elaborates on the link between R&D, safety, and the formation of a hydrogen market, as well as the interactions in R&D of hydrogen technologies with other technologies, especially in the mobility sector. Finally, multidimensional perspectives are provided on the requirements for the successful hydrogen market ramp-up based on an extensive study of stakeholder motives in Germany and the Republic of Korea.
What do you like most about your PhD experience and how is BAM unique to other institutes?
As an economist, BAM is particularly special concerning the background of most employees in engineering or the natural sciences. This has allowed me to broaden my scope and simultaneously add to my colleagues’ research with my economic perspective. What I probably like the most is the supportive research environment to complete my PhD. Especially as a researcher who aims to make his/her research visible and publish scientific articles, BAM provides excellent support and encourages these activities. For instance, business trips to international research conferences are enabled, or support for open-access publications is provided. Finally, BAM’s network with other research institutes, both nationally and internationally, facilitates access and exchange with other experts in the field that can contribute to one’s PhD research.
If you should describe your job at BAM in one sentence – what would that be?
To better understand the complex markets of today’s world, interdisciplinary research is indispensable.