History and milestones
From nationwide communication to a thinktank for science communication
Wissenschaft im Dialog was founded in the year 2000, on the initiative of the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft. One year earlier, in May 1999, Germany’s leading scientific organisations signed a memorandum on the symposium “Public Understanding of the Sciences and Humanities (PUSH) - International and German Perspectives” committing themselves to increasing their dialogue with the public. On 12 May 2000, eight stakeholders founded Wissenschaft im Dialog gGmbH for this purpose. WiD thus took on the PUSH-process as its task - to increase the public’s understanding of sciences and humanities .
While WiD initially focussed on national communication, later on interest began to shift to formats that would encourage participation. Today, Wissenschaft im Dialog is Germany’s leading organisation in the field of science communication. Its main activities are running dialogue and participation events, developing new formats, engaging in national communication, and creating a network of those involved in science communication.
A timeline charting the development of Wissenschaft im Dialog
2022
Encounters and Transformation
Finally live again: More than 600 people are attending the Forum Wissenschaftskommunikation and exchanging ideas in the light court of the University of Hanover. There, everything revolves around the topic of transformation. About getting from theory into action. And asking: How can science communication accompany transformation processes when it comes to topics like climate or digitization? It also repeatedly asks: How activist should and can scientists be?
Transfer between research and practice of science communication
The Transfer Unit begins its work. It builds bridges between science and practice, by providing access to research findings for practitioners and integrating practical needs into research. It prepares the results of its analyses in practice-oriented tools and materials and promotes networking and dialogue between research and practice.
A Science Year for Participation
In the participation initiative IdeenLauf, citizens can set research impulses for politics under the hashtag #MeineFragefürdieWissenschaft. More than 14,000 questions are bundled at the so-called Cluster Conference in the joint work of citizens and researchers. The resulting result paper is ceremoniously handed over to representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Alliance of Science Organisations. It serves science and politics as inspiration and a pool of ideas for future research.
2021
International Exchange
The "Future of Science Communication" conference virtually brings together European researchers and practitioners to provide an impulse for stronger networking and further transfer activities in science communication. Topics include trust in science and dealing with fake news. The International Summer School takes place in Berlin from August 2nd to 6th, 2021. It gathers 50 early-career scientists from all over Europe. At the five-day event, participants can apply their theoretical knowledge in practice-oriented workshops.
Evaluating SciComm
The Impact Unit begins its work. It works on making science communication more impact-oriented. It develops evaluation materials and tools, operates an online evaluation platform, and collaborates with international experts and researchers to incorporate scientific knowledge into the practice of science communication. The goal is to enhance the impact of science communication projects and to verify whether strategic objectives are being achieved.
Trust in Science
The special issue of the Science Barometer on the occasion of the Corona pandemic shows continued high trust and great support for the idea that political handling of Corona should be science-based. Does trust in science come from a "rallying-around-the-flag," or do people understand research processes? We renew our demand that science communication must focus not only on results, but on communicating research practices.
10 Years of Jugend präsentiert
In September, our presentation competition for students celebrates its anniversary. At that point, around 21,000 students have given their presentations at Jugend präsentiert. 1400 teachers have participated in presentation trainings, 70 schools are official Jugend präsentiert schools. Jugend präsentiert continues to grow: Among other things, with an alumni program and Jugend präsentiert Kids, which is aimed at elementary school students.
2020
Digital science communication in times of pandemic
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are forced to adapt our work to the digital space. Instead of physical events, we now promote public dialogue on digital platforms. We have successfully developed new formats and tested new communication channels. For the first time, the forum citizen science - this year with a thematic focus on science communication and politics - takes place digitally and is received positively by its about 550 participants. Our STEM school projects Make Your School and Jugend präsentiert also develop digital formats and, thereby, support digital education in Germany.
20 years Wissenschaft im Dialog gGmbH
It is our birthday! To celebrate the foundation of Wissenschaft im Dialog gGmbH on May 12 2000, we look back at 20 years of successful work - from broad communication to developments in strategic science communication. Like so many events, our big birthday party takes place digitally. Here you can find a (German only) overview of our activities around our anniversary
2019
For kids: Jugend präsentiert now also in primary schools
The project Jugend präsentiert is expanding its scope. Using interesting presentations to get peers all excited about maths and social sciences is something that already primary schoolers are well capable of doing. That is why Jugend präsentiert now also offers teaching materials and training days for primary school teachers. Third and fourth graders get the chance to participate in a competition where they can demonstrate their presentation skills. After a succesful pilot stage in 2019, Jugend präsentiert Kids will start in the school term 2020/21.
What works: Center for evaluation and impact
What formats of science communication work for which target groups? And how can we know? To answer these questions Wissenschaft im Dialog has decided to put a new focus on the analysis of quality and impact in science communication. The new “Center for Impact and Evaluation” will be tasked with two functions: to provide scientifically sound data for the evaluation of science communication formats and to offer the opportunity to execute such evaluations based on those criteria.
Researching together: Bürger schaffen Wissen expanded
For the past five years, the project Bürger schaffen Wissen has worked to provide information about Citizen Science, present on participatory research projects and connect different actors. The online platform offers more than 130 projects that invite motivated citizens to participate. The project is now set to experience further expansion in order to better ensure high quality in Citizen Science projects and to strengthen a nationwide network.
2018
Wissenschaftsbarometer
The Wissenschaftsbarometer celebrates its 5th birthday. The representative survey analyses Germans’ attitudes towards science and research annually since 2014. It provides science communicators, the media and science policy with the data required for a fact-based discussion about the relationship between science and the public. The scientific design of the survey was updated by an international team of experts in 2017 to facilitate the use of results by researchers in the science of science communication.
Unreached target groups move into focus
Where can science communication not get through? Why is that? And can that be changed? The research project „Wissenschaft für alle“ („Science for all“) wants to get to the bottom of this, together with the Karlsruher Insitut für Technologie. Their goal: Determine which target groups are not being reached by science communication and find explanations together with these groups. The results will be used to develop new formats which can then be used to get more people excited about science and research.
2017
Basic strategic orientation until 2023 is decided
On 1 December 2017, shareholders confirmed their support for Wissenschaft im Dialog until 2023. In the coming years, WiD wants to increase its involvement in public debates and emphasise scientific perspectives in the public discourse. In this context, scientific methods and processes, as well as scientists as people, are central to the communication strategy. Additionally, WiD wants to reach new target groups and collaborate with diverse partners in society. With the acceptance of the strategic direction, these became the main topics of the future work of WiD. See also: Strategy Paper 2017 (German language)
Confirmation of Antje Boetius
On 13 November 2017, Prof. Dr. Antje Boetius was confirmed again as chairwoman of WiD’s steering committee.
2016
New partner from Austria
At the beginning of the year, WiD extended its network. For the first time WiD is collaborating with an Austrian research organisation, The Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft (LBG). The LBG manages 18 research institutes and clusters with around 600 employees. Their slogan „Forschung für Menschen“ („Research for People“) stands for socially relevant research with a focus on health sciences in Austria.
2015
International focus
Science is international. So science communication has to see the bigger picture as well. At the 8th Forum Wissenschaftskommunikation in Nuremberg, WiD set the focus on European and global trends and developments in science communication. Beyond the conference, cooperation, especially with European partners, will be intensified in future.
Citizen Science Labs for the future of cities
For the German Science Year 2015 theme „Zukunftsstadt“ (future city), WiD and the Open Knowledge Foundation initiated the project „Hack your City“. Young scientists and citizens codeveloped ideas for five liveable cities of the future and designed Apps, websites and prototypes.
15 years Wissenschaft im Dialog gGmbH
The history of Wissenschaft im Dialog as a nonprofit organisation started 15 years ago. It was founded on May 12th, 2000 in Berlin. On the occasion of our anniversary, we took a look at our archives and compiled some photos – quite subjectively and without any claims to being complete…
Changes at the top of Wissenschaft im Dialog
On January 1st 2015, Prof. Dr. Antje Boetius became chairwoman of the steering committee of Wissenschaft im Dialog. The well-known deep sea research scientist wants to create a dialog between science and society as well as between the natural sciences and the humanities and encourage discussions about controversial topics. Antje Boetius succeeds the marine geologist Prof. Dr. Gerold Wefer, who held this post from 2006.
2014
Science goes school: Junior Science Cafes
Together with the Deutsche Telekom Stiftung WiD started the project "Junior Science Café". These Cafés are cool events, attractive for students, characterized by self-initiative, and created by young people according to their own wishes and ideas. Thus, students get in touch with scientific topics and develop an understanding of using presentation tools and technologies in a digital age.
Citizen science online platform: Bürger schaffen Wissen
The online platform Bürger schaffen Wissen – Citizens Create Knowledge informs about citizen science, different projects and the opportunities to participate. The platform also connects current projects to each other and seeks to increase public awareness of Citizen science. Bürger schaffen Wissen is a joint project of Wissenschaft im Dialog and the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin. The platform is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research; additional funding is provided by the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft.
On-site and online: Wissenschaft kontrovers
Wissenschaft kontrovers encourages dialogue between citizens and scientists, discussing controversial issues under the overall topic of the Science Year’s theme. It aims to inform the public and reflects the public’s hopes and fears regarding science. Wissenschaft kontrovers is organized by Wissenschaft im Dialog in cooperation with regional partners and is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Still growing: Leopoldina and WiD agree on a new partnership
The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and Wissenschaft im Dialog plan to work more closely together in future. The new partnership will focus heavily on engaging the public in conversations on scientific topics.
WiD hits YouTube: Fast Forward Science
WiD and the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft launch the Fast Forward Science competition. They call for submissions of high-quality online videos on a scientific topic. The idea behind the competition is to raise the profile and increase the use of online videos as well-founded, entertaining modes of mass communication for scientific content.
Expanding across Europe: student parliaments held in 16 countries
The student parliaments reach the European level in 2013. Some 1,500 teenagers from 16 countries in Europe take up the WiD invitation to come together and discuss the future of cities. Delegates from every country travel to the closing parliament at the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) in Copenhagen in June 2014. During the event, the European student parliaments receive the Lundbeck Foundation ESOF2014 Communication Prize.
Food for thought on the future of science communication
For the further development of science communication, WiD works with the Bundesverband Hochschulkommunikation to initiate the Siggener Kreis. The group of selected science communicators, scientists and journalists come together at Gut Siggen to discuss the future of science communication. The Siggener Denkanstoß, a document published after the conference, reviews the state of science communication in Germany and sets out a series of demands for its future development.
New arrival: The Klaus Tschira Stiftung becomes a WiD associate
WiD welcomes the Klaus Tschira Stiftung as a new associate on 1 January 2013. The not-for-profit organisation founded by physicist Klaus Tschira has already lent its support to many WiD projects – most recently to the Jugend präsentiert ("Students present science") scheme.
2012
From information to participation: WiD shifts its focus
Encouraging dialogue on controversial scientific topics and developing new formats for science communication are to become the future focus of Wissenschaft im Dialog’s work. This decision, reached by the WiD associates, is a response to societal changes in recent years and signals a shift in focus for the company.
Crowdfunding for science: Sciencestarter goes live
Researchers with great ideas but no money get a helping hand from Wissenschaft im Dialog when it launches sciencestarter.de, the first German-language crowdfunding platform for science. The move signals new possibilities for WiD and science communication. Scientists use the site to present their projects and attract support from interested members of the public. The audience is free to decide which projects are the most convincing and can choose to become science funders themselves.
WiD head office welcomes new MD
Markus Weißkopf is appointed the new managing director of Wissenschaft im Dialog. Weißkopf comes to WiD from the Haus der Wissenschaft (“House of Science”) in Braunschweig, where he spent four years from 2007 to 2011 building up the facility, eventually became its managing director. Under his leadership, the Haus der Wissenschaft made a name for itself through, among other things, dialogue events that created a platform for lively debate on topics from science and research.
2011
Sharing the joy of maths: Jugend präsentiert supports students and their teachers
WiD and the Klaus Tschira Stiftung launch the Jugend präsentiert ("Students present science"), which focuses on fun with maths and science. The competition helps young people learn how to give engaging presentations of complex scientific topics, while their teachers receive teaching materials and further training on the topic. The idea is to equip students with the skills they need to understand complex issues and present them in an entertaining way, as well as to boost their self-confidence and show them that science can be fun.
New arrival: Germany’s National Academy of Science and Engineering becomes a WiD associate
acatech – the National Academy of Science and Engineering becomes an associate of Wissenschaft im Dialog on 1 January 2011.
2009
WiD does science: The Debating Science project researches formats for public participation
WiD and the University of Stuttgart conduct a research project that looks at ways of intensifying the dialogue between science and the general public. The project is a response to the changing goals of science communication: alongside information, the field is now paying increasing attention to discussion and participation. Researchers observe the student parliaments, student forums, junior science cafés, citizens’ conferences, consensus conferences and citizens’ exhibitions that WiD organises throughout Germany, as well as online forums and blogs.
Outlook study: interim results and prospects for the next decade
To mark its ten-year anniversary, Wissenschaft im Dialog looks back over the decade and, in collaboration with the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft, publishes an outlook study entitled Science in the Public Sphere: Interim Results and Prospects for the Next Decade. The Alliance of Science Organisations in Germany approves the study. The paper’s main message is that the dialogue between science and society should be expanded further.
2008
WiD forms networks: first Forum Wissenschaftskommunikation attracts 200 participants
From science centres to science festivals and student labs: science communication has well and truly arrived in Germany. Wissenschaft im Dialog launches the Forum Wissenschaftskommunikation (Science Communication Forum) as a way of bringing together everyone working in the field. Communicators, journalists, lecturers and school teachers all meet in Bremerhaven in September to share experiences and discuss the latest strategies and trends. Since then, the Forum Wissenschaftskommunikation has grown to become a key gathering for the scientific community and welcomes more participants every year.
Competing for the best ideas: Interactive Science
WiD organises its first science communication competition and calls it Interactive Science. It invites teams of young scientists and PR experts to come up with creative ideas for an interactive exhibit explaining scientific backgrounds and relationships to the public in an engaging way. The winner is picked by the participants of the 2008 Summer of Science.
2006
WiD hosts the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF)
WiD organises the EuroScience Open Forum in Munich in 2006. The conference brings together researchers from every field, as well as science policymakers and media representatives. Its aim is to increase the international visibility of science in Europe. The WiD also holds the 2006 Wissenschaftssommer ("Science of Summer") in Munich to coincide with ESOF.
New chair for WiD steering committee
Prof. Dr Gerold Wefer, a marine geologist, becomes the new chair of the steering committee at WiD. Dr Wefer, who received the 2001 Communicator Prize in recognition of his services to science communication, was a local partner for the Wissenschaftssommer (Summer of Science) in Bremen in 2002 and was instrumental to the success of the event. As the initiator of Bremen’s Geoschiff, he was also one of the founding fathers of the MS Wissenschaft.
2002
Herbert Münder is appointed managing director of WiD
Physicist Dr Herbert Münder, is appointed managing director of Wissenschaft im Dialog. He comes to WiD from the Helmholtz Association. Dr Münder works at the national and international level to promote the idea that science and research should be made accessible to the general public. He spends nearly a decade as the head of WiD and is heavily involved in expanding the initiative to make it a centre of excellence for science communication in Germany.
Science takes a dip: the MS Wissenschaft
What is the best way to present an exhibition on marine research? Put it on a ship and send it travelling around the country. The idea that came out of the University of Bremen, proved to be a big hit: over 110,000 people visited the exhibition aboard the Geoschiff. WiD adopted the idea of a floating science centre and has been presenting an exhibition ship every year since 2002. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has been commissioning the projects since 2012.
2001
Learn and discuss: student parliament launched in Berlin
WiD has taken an event format usually reserved for politics and adapted it to science. Its student parliaments bring school pupils together in state parliament buildings and town halls to discuss socially relevant issues related to science. The pupils work in groups, question experts and hold a parliamentary discussion, after which they finalise their proposals and demands and hand them over to representatives of science or government.
2000
Communication for the nation: the first Wissenschaftssommer
Wissenschaft im Dialog organises the first Wissenschaftssommer ("Summer of Science") in Bonn. The scientific community sets up in public spaces to talk about its work. This is the biggest science festival Germany has ever seen and it signals the start of WiD’s nationwide communication activities. The event also inspires others to do the same and soon science festivals become a regular occurrence in cities and regions throughout Germany.
Experiencing research while the city sleeps: the Long Night of the Sciences
During its Wissenschaftssommer ("Summer of Science") in Bonn, WiD also helps to organise the first Long Night of the Sciences. It proves to be an extremely successful format and Long Nights of the Sciences are now held in numerous cities throughout the country. With a combination of information, discussions and entertainment until long after sunset, these unusual events are a big hit with the public.
Out of the ivory tower and onto the streets: Germany’s first Year of Science
Wissenschaft im Dialog and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research have been holding Year of Science events since 2000. They are designed to promote social dialogue on research and foster enthusiasm about science.
1999
PUSHing dialogue with the public
Germany’s leading scientific organisations sign the PUSH memorandum, which commits them to promoting dialogue between science and civil society. Wissenschaft im Dialog is founded on the basis of this memorandum. The first chair of WiD’s steering committee is Prof. Dr Joachim Treusch, a physicist who at the time is chairing the board of directors at Forschungszentrum Jülich (Jülich Research Centre). He was instrumental in drawing up the PUSH memorandum and in founding Wissenschaft im Dialog.
