Pushing the Boundaries of Science
Science slams, podium discussions, and improv theater: Berlin Science Week 2023 celebrates the diversity of science
Oct 27, 2023
Freie Universität Berlin and its partners from across the Berlin University Alliance (BUA) will be taking part in this year’s Berlin Science Week with a range of exciting and informative events.
Image Credit: Berlin Falling Walls Foundation
Taking place from November 1‒10, 2023, the annual Berlin Science Week is a ten-day program that promises fun and educational experiences for anyone interested in science and the pursuit of knowledge. The festival brings together more than 500 speakers across 200 events, with interdisciplinary discussions promoting the exchange of ideas and a passion for science. Participants include representatives from across Berlin’s higher education landscape, as well as from various museums, foundations, and institutions based in Berlin and much farther afield. This includes the Berlin University Alliance (BUA) and Freie Universität Berlin, who will be hosting events through their various clusters and partners. You can find a selection of the events on offer below.
Planetary Health: What Can We Learn from the Multispecies City? (EN)
This transdisciplinary talk will explore the complexities and contradictions of “planetary healing” and is presented by the Berlin University Alliance together with the Embassy of Brazil in Berlin. The concept of planetary health draws attention to the fact that human health is no longer separable from the health of animals, plants, and ecosystems. It urges us to understand how anthropological processes such as the climate crisis, urbanization, habitat destruction, pollution, and toxicity have repercussions on both the “natural” and “social” worlds. Those interested in attending must register for the event in advance
Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Embassy of Brazil in Berlin, Wallstraße 57, 10179 Berlin
Una Europa Lecture: Living Lab. Bees, Biodiversity, and Urban Sustainability (DE)
Berlin Science Week will kick off at Freie Universität Berlin with a panel discussion titled “Living Lab. Bees, Biodiversity, and Urban Sustainability.” The event will give insight into the fascinating world of urban sustainability. Attendees are welcome to visit the accompanying exhibition on beekeeping, bee robots, sustainability on campus, and tips for how to make our everyday lives more sustainable.
Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Veterinarium Progressum at Freie Universität, Oertzenweg 19b, Building 1, 14163 Berlin
Science Slam – Clear the Stage for Science (EN)
On the evening of November 2, 2023, “Science Slam – Clear the Stage for Science” combines education with entertainment. Contestants will go head-to-head to see who can come up with the most captivating portrayal of their field of research. The event is hosted by Berlin’s Clusters of Excellence, who have invited a total of eight science slammers to the stage of the “Säälchen” in Berlin’s Holzmarktstraße.
Thursday, November 2, 2023, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., doors open at 7:00 p.m., “Säälchen,” Holzmarktstraße 25, 10243 Berlin
How Can We Get to that Transformational Change for Sustainability? (EN)
“How can we get to that transformational change for sustainability?” – this will be the question at the center of an event on November 3, 2023. Hosted by Freie Universität Berlin’s Continuing Education Program, this engaging event explores how we approach sustainability on the personal and professional level. The goal is for each participant to come away with at least one concrete idea for implementing positive change within their sphere of influence. It’s the perfect event for those looking to spark change in their immediate surroundings.
Friday, November 3, 2023, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Museum für Naturkunde, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin
Erosion of Democracy? Academic Freedom and Right-Wing Politics in Europe (EN)
Europe has long called itself a stronghold of democracy. However, the significant increase of populism, authoritarianism, and right-wing politics on a global level has not stopped on its borders. Across Europe, right-wing movements and parties are influencing political discourse at both national and international levels, endangering democratic principles such as fair elections, separation of powers, or freedom of speech.
Friday, November 3, 2023, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Museum für Naturkunde, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin
The Second Quantum Revolution (DE)
How will we be able to use quantum computers in the future and what will they look like? In this discussion, physics professor at Freie Universität Berlin Jens Eisert will be taking attendees on a journey into the future and exploring the enormous potential of quantum technology.
Friday, November 3, 2023, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Lecture hall B, Department of Physics at Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin
From Quantum Technology to Black Holes: New Approaches to Old Questions in Physics (DE)
Immediately following “The Second Quantum Revolution,” Dr. Alexander Jahn, Dr. Philippe Faist, and Dr. Enrico Brehm from the Einstein Research Unit on Quantum Devices will discuss new developments in the field of quantum physics and their influence on revolutionary new technologies, as well as how these can be used to unlock new perspectives on old questions from the field of physics.
Friday, November 3, 2023, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Lecture hall B, Department of Physics at Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin
In Future # Wealth and In.Equality (EN)
Also taking place on November 3, 2023, this event will explore the issue of wealth inequality. At this live interview hosted by the Cluster of Excellence “Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS),” Martyna B. Linartas will discuss the political and social challenges of inheritance societies and wealth inequality. Anyone interested in learning more about one of the burning issues of our time should attend.
Friday, November 3, 2023, 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., Museum für Naturkunde, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin
CRC/Transregio 227 “Ultrafast Spin Dynamics” and Collaborative Research Centre 1078 “Protonation Dynamics in Protein Function” (DE/EN)
In addition to the many events taking place during the festival, a range of interactive exhibitions will be on display in the Museum für Naturkunde. Known as the CAMPUS, this space is dedicated to open dialogue and brings together scientists and the general public. The Collaborative Research Centre 1078 “Protonation Dynamics in Protein Function” and CRC/Transregio 227 “Ultrafast Spin Dynamics,” based at Freie Universität Berlin’s Department of Physics, will be on site to provide information about their work on the cutting edge of science.
Friday, November 2, 2023, and Saturday, November 4, 2023, Berlin Science Week CAMPUS, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin
Lights… Camera… Quantum! The Science behind Quantum Physics in Movies and Series (EN)
Science fiction is full of... well, fiction. But sometimes real science finds its way into movies and shows. Hosted by postdoctoral researcher Fernando Gago Encinas (Einstein Research Unit on Quantum Devices and Freie Universität Berlin’s Department of Physics) and science communicator and Freie Universität graduate Dr. Sabrina Patsch, this talk will explore some common concepts in quantum physics that have appeared in movies and television and link them to current research in quantum sciences. There is no need for any prior knowledge; this event is open to anyone who is interested.
Saturday, November 4, 2023, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Berlin Science Week CAMPUS, Deep Dive Forum, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin
Our Diversity, Our Future (EN)
Soapbox Science Berlin and LGBTQ+ in STEM Berlin are collaborating to curate a selection of bite-sized talks under the banner of cultivating diversity and embracing our differences. The speakers come from an exciting range of research backgrounds, from microbiology to urban planning and psychology to climate science. The relaxed format allows researchers to explain their work in just ten minutes with open time for questions and dialogue. Researcher Subham Mukherjee from Freie Universität will be presenting on the subject of urban sustainability and inclusive urban planning – an incredibly important topic for a city like Berlin.
Saturday, November 4, 2023, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Museum für Naturkunde, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin
Transdisciplinarity Meets Improv (DE)
On November 4, 2023, the Berlin University Alliance invites you to discover the world of improvisational theater and how its techniques can be used in transdisciplinary research. Led by Luise Grell, Aldo Spahiu, Wiebke Hahn, and Dr. Ina Opitz, this workshop also offers a creative approach to the subject of water: in particular, the role water plays in the global climate crisis and its potential as a shared resource.
Saturday, November 4, 2023, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Museum für Naturkunde, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin
Disruption in Chemistry (EN)
“Disruption in Chemistry” will discuss the current green revolution taking place in the field of chemistry and how this is reshaping the traditional chemical industry. Organized by GreenCHEM, a joint project of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, and industry partners, the event will provide information on how science, start-ups, and innovation are converging to disrupt the status quo, reinventing materials, processes, and products for a more sustainable world.
Saturday, November 4, 2023, 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Museum für Naturkunde, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin
Demographic Shifts: Challenges and Best Practices of Aging Societies Worldwide (EN)
The panel discussion “Demographic Shifts: Challenges and Best Practices of Aging Societies Worldwide” is part of Falling Walls Circle and will be taking place on November 8, 2023. Here, experts from Berlin and Oxford will discuss the global phenomenon of population aging and exchange ideas on best practices for dealing with this issue. In a round table discussion, representatives from politics, science, and industry will explore how we can live longer, healthier and happier lives.
Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Radialsystem Studio A, Holzmarktstraße 33, 10243 Berlin
Complex Realities and Clear Communication (with livestream, DE)
You’d think communication would be simple. You have a thought and put it into words – and the person who reads or hears these words immediately understands what you mean. Unfortunately, that’s not how things always work. In our day-to-day lives, we are often confronted with texts that are hard to understand. In this podium discussion, speakers will reflect on the complex world of communication using examples from Behördendeutsch (bureaucratic German), technical language, inclusive speech, poetry, and much more.
Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 6:15 p.m., Lecture hall 1b, Rost- und Silberlaube, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin
The event will take place both in person and via livestream, and will be followed by a reception. Those wishing to attend in person are asked to register by November 7, 2023.
Further Information
You can find out more information on these events and view the full Berlin Science Week program at berlinscienceweek.com. Many events will be taking place in English. Most events are free to attend. It may be necessary to register in advance for some events.