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Research
Good texts start with good research. Depending on the project, this could be interviews, scientific publications or existing documentation.
Physics · Science journalism · Science communication
Putting your knowledge into words.
I conceive, write and edit texts about science – technically accurate, clear and tailored so that complex content reaches its intended audience. In German and English.
Why Textlabor
A text can sound convincing – and still be wrong.
Science communication calls for more than catchy words. It takes an understanding of the subject, editorial judgement and the ability to ask the right questions.
My scientific background enables me to assess statements in their specialist context, recognise ambiguities and effectively break down complex content.
- Physics degree
- Journalistic experience
- Communication for research institutions
From expert knowledge to clear writing.
Clarify
Terminology, context and open questions are clarified with everyone involved.
Edit
The content is structured, formulated to suit the audience and carefully checked for scientific accuracy.
Services
Making science accessible.
Are you planning a brochure for your next particle accelerator project or a press release about your institution’s latest discovery? Drawing up a scientific paper about your team’s research? Looking to turn contributions by different authors with different writing skills into a compelling technical report or funding application?
From first ideas to final editing, in German or English – at Textlabor, your communication project is in good hands.
Popular science texts
Conception and editing of brochures, articles, press releases, news, exhibition panels and websites – based on interviews, research or scientific publications.
Scientific texts
Editorial, stylistic and substantive revision, as well as consistency checks, for scientific articles, annual reports, design reports (Conceptual Design Reports, Technical Design Reports) and funding applications. Technical review of translations.
Translations
Technical translations between German, English and French in science and technology. Video voice-over, including spoken narration, in German, English and French.
The finished product
Final editing of brochures, exhibition panels, reports and funding applications in Adobe InDesign, LaTeX (Overleaf) and Microsoft Word.
“My clients value me as a trained scientist with 30 years of experience in science communication.
Especially in the age of AI, I can understand and assess content – and thus keep a critical eye on what AI produces.
Long-term client satisfaction is built on two things: competence and reliability. I provide both.”
Profile
Ilka Flegel
Physicist and science journalist
I grew up multilingual in an international setting near Geneva. My first exposure to the wondrous world of science came at a very early age – in the kindergarten and choir of the CERN particle physics lab. After completing my French Baccalauréat with German university entrance qualification at an international French school, I moved to Germany to study physics in Freiburg im Breisgau.
During what felt like endless measurement shifts under fluorescent lights and among humming vacuum pumps at the BESSY electron synchrotron in Berlin, I realised that my calling was not to conduct science itself – but to bring science out into the world.
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I learned the essentials of science communication after graduating in physics, working as a PR officer at the DESY research centre in Hamburg.
At the beginning of 1998, I took the leap and founded Textlabor – which, by the way, means “Textlab” in German and has nothing to do with labouring to produce texts.
Since then, I have helped research institutions, universities, initiatives and projects share their enthusiasm for science with the public.
What comes together here
- Physics degree
- Language talent
- Judgement
Beyond Textlabor
Languages, stage work and the art of riding.
Beyond Textlabor, I am passionate about horses and committed to promoting French classical riding as an interpreter and translator for the French riding master Philippe Karl ↗ and other figures in the equestrian world. I act and dance at the Burghoftheater der Kurz- und Kleinkunstbühne ↗ at Kapellendorf Castle, and I practise lightsaber show combat and Filipino martial arts.
References
Institutes, universities, companies and publishers.
Selected clients and editorial projects in science and research.
since1998
Research institutions
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
- European XFEL
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
- Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry
Universities & research networks
- University of Hamburg
- TU Braunschweig
- Quantum Universe Cluster of Excellence
- Max Planck School of Photonics
- CoOPTICS Cluster
- German Committee for Accelerator Physics
- German Committee for Elementary Particle Physics
Companies
- RX Deutschland
- X-FAB
- X Spectrum
- WINGAS
Media & publishers
- Welt der Physik
- Physik Journal
- CERN Courier
- Applied Physics A & B
- WILEY-VCH
- Cadmos Verlag
- wehorse
Selected work
DESY
European XFEL
- Scientific annual reports ↗
- Research news ↗
- Conceptual and Technical Design Reports for scientific instruments ↗
Further work
- Helmholtz Matter ↗: reports and proposals
- TU Braunschweig ↗: funding applications
- Welt der Physik ↗: articles and editorial coordination
- Physik Journal ↗: articles
- PTB maßstäbe ↗: articles
Further activities
WILEY-VCH publishing house
“Physik”, David Halliday, Robert Resnick and Jearl Walker, 1st edition (2003) ↗: translation from English into German.
Cadmos Verlag
“Irrwege der modernen Dressur”, Philippe Karl (2006) ↗: translation from French into German.
École de Légèreté
Books, courses, lectures, presentations, videos and articles by Philippe Karl ↗: interpreting and translation between English, French and German.
wehorse
Videos by Philippe Karl ↗: concept, editing, translation and voice-over in English, French and German.
Interpreting
Riding courses, lectures and seminars: consecutive and whispered interpreting between English, French and German.