The main aim of the project "Die Debatte" (The Debate") is to bring in scientific perspectives into societal debates and to initiate open and informed discussions. Thus, we want to show that science has something to contribute to a broad range of topics.
The project is a collaboration between Wissenschaft im Dialog (WiD) and the Technische Universität Braunschweig. It is funded by the Volkswagenstiftung and the Stifterverband.
What is “green” hydrogen? How can CO₂ become a raw material for the industry? What will the power grids of the future look like? How can we increase energy efficiency in the industrial sector? These are questions that will be addressed by the exhibition "Power2Change: Mission Energiewende" (mission energy transition), starting in August 2022, and developed as part of the joint project "Science Communication Energy Transition".
The "Power2Change: Mission Energiewende" exhibition highlights the path to a climate-neutral future and presents possible approaches towards a secure and affordable energy supply with a focus on the industrial, business and transport sectors. What is special about the project is that partners from research, the museum sector and science communication have developed it together. The exhibition will open in August 2022 at the LWL Industrial Museum Henrichshütte in Hattingen. From January 2023, it will be on display at the Klimahaus Bremerhaven and will then tour Germany, focusing on the regional features of each location. The exhibition will be accompanied by a dialogue-oriented event programme and the “Energiemobil” (energy mobile), which will be on the road. The “Energiemobil” seeks to engage local people near the seven exhibition sites.
The joint project is coordinated by DECHEMA e. V. and Fraunhofer UMSICHT. It was developed by the LWL Industrial Museum, the Westphalian State Museum of Industrial Culture, and the Klimahaus Bremerhaven. Wissenschaft im Dialog is responsible for the supporting programme, the tour of the traveling exhibition and the project communication. The scientific content has been contributed by the Kopernikus projects, the joint project Carbon2Chem®, together with Fraunhofer UMSICHT, the Fraunhofer cluster CINES and other partners. The conception of the exhibition and its reception are researched and evaluated by the Technical University of Ilmenau’s department of communication science. Finally, the joint project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Discussions in various German cities include fishbowl discussions, science cafés or other interactive debating formats. The topics are embedded in the theme of the current German Science Year, while the specific topic of each event is selected based on local expertise and local research focus.
Wissenschaft kontrovers encourages dialogue between citizens and scientists, discussing controversial issues under the overarching theme of the Science Year. It aims to inform the public and reflect the public’s expectations 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.
