Wisdom means
learning to live with ambivalence
and to embrace uncertainty
Helga Nowotny’s memoir provides a detailed account of her life, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of a woman who defied convention in the male-dominated field of science. From her early days in science and technology studies, where she faced bureaucratic hurdles, to her influential role in shaping the European Research Council, Nowotny offers a candid look at her career. She shares personal stories of navigating the complexities of academia and policy, revealing the uncertainties and contingencies that shaped her life and work. This memoir resonates with anyone who has pursued a path less traveled, and offers a glimpse into the resilience and ambition required to succeed in challenging environments.

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Future Needs Wisdom is not really a memoir, nor is it an intellectual history, nor is it entirely a personal reflection or a summative philosophy. It is, in fact, all of these things fused together: her life, her scholarship, her thoughts, her triumphs, her misgivings, and above all, her hopes and utopic aspirations.

—Anthony Elliott, Distinguished Professor, University of South Australia
A fascinating memoir about an exemplary life. Exemplary because the encounters and accomplishments (as a scientist and as a leader of scientific institutions) have been so exceptional. Exemplary also because Helga Nowotny’s story offers an example of a woman’s path that will be inspiring inside and outside sociology.

—Elena Esposito, Professor of Sociology, Universität Bielefeld
I learned so much from reading this book written by a scholar known for her exceptional sharpness, insatiable curiosity, good judgment, foresight, and of course, wisdom! I urge researchers from across the disciplines to make time for this book, which imparts so many life lessons.

—Michèle Lamont, Harvard University
An account of a remarkable life full of diversions and detours that has given her a polymathic outlook of great wisdom and insight into the big problems of the day.

—Peter Ho, Senior Advisor, Centre for Strategic Futures and former Head of Civil Service, Singapore