Science Communication and its Significance for Scientific Careers in Germany

At the beginning of 2021, the University of Freiburg was the first university in Germany to anchor science communication at the highest university level. This is reflective of the growing importance of communicating science effectively – that is to make scientific discoveries and developments accessible to broad audiences and to encourage the active engagement with academia in a political climate of fake news and distrust in the research process. However, science communication as an essential element to research has not yet translated into a broad inclusion of it into research careers – or has it? The panelists will share their own experiences and insights with communicating science from a multitude of disciplines and institutions. They will also discuss the relevance of doing so for their own careers and within German academia in general. Audience members can engaged via the fishbowl format. The goal is that by the end of the event, participants will have a general sense of the importance science communication can have on their careers in Germany, where they can find support and where to expect hurdles.

  • Balz Andrea Alter, Curator and Coordinator Science Communication, Arnold-Bergstraesser-Institute (University of Freiburg)
  • Rita Sousa-Silva, Ph.D., FRIAS Junior Fellow, Young Academy for Sustainability Research (YAS), (University of Freiburg)
  • Mareike Ilsemann, Deputy Head of Press,
    Communications and Marketing, Alexander von
    Humboldt Foundation
  • Moderation: Dr. Kerstin Fest, Coordinator EPICUR – The European
    University Alliance, University of Freiburg