10 days dedicated to science: Berlin Science Week 2019

©Berlin Science Week 2019

23.10.2019
10 days dedicated to science: Berlin Science Week 2019

Brain City Berlin

Over 350 top researchers from all over the world, more than 130 events, and a new format: the "Berlin Science Campus". Berlin Science Week, being held for the fourth time in the Brain City from 1 to 10 November 2019, is getting bigger and more exciting than ever before.

The allosaurus, branchiosaurus, and pterodactyl are just three of the event's stars. They will be welcoming scientists and those interested in science from all over the world to their home at the Berlin Museum of Natural History Berlin on 6 and 7 November. For the first time, the museum will serve as the central festival venue for Berlin Science Week, which will put the international spotlight on Brain City Berlin for the fourth time from 1 to 10 November 2019.

“Berlin Science Campus” is the name of the new format for the event at the Natural History Museum on Invalidenstraße. Over two days, more than 30 events on a wide variety of scientific topics will take place. They will all be addressing the big questions of our time. For example, about the future of our diet, climate change, infectious diseases, human-machine interaction, and the potential of artificial intelligence. A total of 14 international universities, research centres, and organisations will present themselves to the public at the campus exhibition space. Brain City Berlin will also be on hand with its own stand.

The Berlin Museum of Natural History is just one of 24 venues for this year's Berlin Science Week. Last year, there were only eleven, reflecting the continued growth in the public's interest in science. Berlin Science Week offers hands-on science experiences. It's all about learning, discussing, and creatively engaging with science and research so that visitors can gain a deeper understanding of our world. The Science Week is designed to be open: most of the more than 130 events are free of charge. Including the 19 formats designed especially for children. Interdisciplinary events such as performances, exhibitions, and the always popular science slams round out the programme.

Big questions about the future

Michael Müller, Governing Mayor of Berlin and patron of the event, especially emphasised the connections established by events like Berlin Science Week: "In a city that 30 years ago overcame being divided, cross-border cooperation creates a unique potential for addressing the great issues of the future in our time," says Müller. Berlin Science Week gives Berlin's top research a wonderful stage and fosters dialogue with international partner institutions. Professor Johannes Vogel, Director of the Berlin Museum of Natural History, emphasised the long-term prospects for the Berlin Science Week Campus. The plan is to develop it into a science campus for nature and society over the next few years to make a "sustainable contribution to Berlin as a science location."

Around 20,000 visitors are expected to attend the fourth Berlin Science Week, which is coordinated and implemented by the non-profit Falling Walls Foundation with the support of the Senate Office for Science and Research and Berlin Partner. Those who are lucky will even get the chance to speak with one of the six Nobel Prize winners that will be taking part in Berlin Science Week 2019, including physicist Wolfgang Ketterle (MIT), economist Alvin E. Roth (Stanford University), and the Dr Harald zur Hausen (Leopoldina). But, beware, the conversation could be overheard by the ancient residents at the Museum for Natural History and thus enter the eternal memory of the house, because the dinosaurs there are certainly "all ears." (vdo)

Further information and event map

berlinscienceweek.com