Review 2016-20

Review 2016 - 2020 | How it all started

Berlin Science Week is a project of the non-profit Berlin-based Falling Walls Foundation. It was launched in 2016 with financial support from the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Senate Chancellery Higher Education and Research.

The original idea was, and still is, to establish an international science festival in Berlin that brings people together annually in November as a place for transdisciplinary exchange, lively debate, and the celebration of science.

What began in 2016 with 40 events over 10 days and the participation of exclusively local and national science institutions, has since developed into a veritable international science festival.

A group of people are gathered closely around a small table in a dimly lit setting, likely participating in a pub quiz or trivia night. They appear focused and engaged, with one person writing on a piece of paper while others look on, suggesting collaborative problem-solving or answering questions. Various drinks, including bottles and glasses, are present on the table, indicating a casual and social atmosphere.
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A panel of five speakers is seated on a stage, engaged in a discussion during an event. Behind them, a large screen displays a colorful grid of squares. The setting is formal, with an audience seated and attentively listening. The event is a part of "Berlin Science Week," as indicated by the signs on the stage. The venue is an elegant hall with stone arches, adding a sense of grandeur to the event.
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A group of individuals is gathered around a table displaying anatomical models. A woman in the center is holding and examining a detailed model of the human rib cage, while another person looks on and takes a photo with their phone. A man in a white coat, possibly a presenter or expert, stands nearby. The setting is indoors with modern lighting, creating a focused and informative atmosphere.
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People at a museum observing a large dinosaur skeleton display, with bones arranged in a lifelike pose. A rock and bone exhibit is in the foreground. The museum has a sophisticated and busy atmosphere.
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A woman speaks to two other people at a table during Berlin Science Week. The table is covered with notebooks and phones.
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A person stands in front of a photo exhibition displaying several photographs. The photos show various scenes, including portraits of people, a person sitting at a table, and an outdoor landscape. The exhibition is in a modern, concrete building.
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A speaker, dressed in a blue shirt, stands on a small stage in front of an audience, presenting a slide show in a dimly lit room with industrial decor. The screen displays medical images. A sign on stage reads "Zurich Heart." Two large circular lights are behind the speaker.
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Two women work at a tech station with multiple screens and a laptop in a conference room. One woman is standing and pointing at the screen, explaining something, while the other is seated. Masks, microphones, and socially distanced seating are visible, indicating a hybrid event.
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A group of people is attending a panel discussion during Berlin Science Week. The audience is seated facing five panelists who are seated in chairs. One of the panelists is speaking into a microphone. A sign that reads "Berlin Science Week" is visible on the right side.
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A man with curly hair and glasses enthusiastically speaks to an attentive group of people in a classroom or workshop setting. Displayed on the table in front of him are various colorful objects, a laptop, and drinks. A large screen behind him shows some images.
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People engage in discussions at a science fair booth, titled "Mind the Lab." A screen displays a graphic of a human figure. The booth features posters and materials related to scientific research. Passersby observe and interact with the representatives at the booth.
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A person holds a smartphone while watching a video. The video shows two people sitting side by side, engaged in a conversation. The person on the left wears a light-colored sweater, and the person on the right wears a dark-colored shirt.
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Already in 2017 we welcomed the first renowned international science institutions, such as the Austrian Institute of Technology, Tohoku University Sendai, or ETH Zurich, and the festival already attracted an audience of 15,000 people.

Highlights of the 2018 edition included the first global summit of Research Museums exploring the transformative potential of research as well as the first international conference on blockchain for science, research, and knowledge creation.

In 2019, we started a collaboration with the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin to create a central festival hub: the Campus. On four stages and with numerous exhibitors, over 2,500 people came together for two days full of inspiring scientific events. Especially events such as the Science Award Ceremony of the Senate of Berlin, or the Welcome Reception of the Falling Walls Foundation including the Rundfunkchor Berlin in the Dinosaur Hall left a lasting impression!

In 2020, the onset of the pandemic presented us with major challenges. It quickly became clear that we had to adapt and take the leap into the digital. Unfortunately, this meant that the newly founded Campus had to be put on hold. However, in cooperation with the Falling Walls Science Summit and over 130 organisations, we succeeded in creating a fully digital programme that enabled the participation of people from all corners of the world.

This unique experience showed in particular the importance of international and transdisciplinary cooperation as well as the important role of basic research, evidence-based decision-making, and a continuous dialogue between science and society.

In this sense, we strive to make an essential contribution to the communication of scientific findings and the debate about them in the years to come. 🚀

Berlin Science Week 2020