Event Tracks
To help you explore our programme and find your highlights, the Berlin Science Week team has thoughtfully curated a series of event tracks around key themes.
NEW: DECISION THEATER
This year, we’re introducing a new highlight: Decision Theater© by Arizona State University (ASU), hosted by the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology. This innovative method combines big data, complex system modelling, and stakeholder engagement to explore the impact of decisions on social, economic, and environmental systems.
At Berlin Science Week, you can become a decision-maker for a day and simulate futures for water management, education, and local economic development. Explore policy choices and give feedback on the models. To enrich the experience, we’ve curated an event track for each of the three key topics, giving you the chance to dive deeper into the respective topics. Be sure to register in advance for most events.
WATER SCARCITY
Join the discussions on water scarcity at the Decision Theater on 7 November to explore how policy decisions should shape Berlin's water systems.
Dive further into the complexities of water governance and ecology: from decolonial perspectives on water management to interdisciplinary approaches in marine ecosystem restoration, and how light and noise affect water quality.
IMPROVING EDUCATION
Join the discussions on how data driven analysis is evolving the education landscape at the Decision Theater on 6 November.
Delve further into the future of education and engage with projects focused on building resilience in teachers, explore lifelong learning strategies, and discover how data-driven tools are transforming classrooms for a digital future.
REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION
Discuss the impacts of regional economic shifts at the Decision Theater on 5 November through the lens of the Lausitz coal phase-out.
Engage further with the critical challenges of economic, societal, and sustainable transformation, discover innovative solutions to urban climate issues, discuss the ethical dimensions of Europe’s green transition, and join thought leaders as they debate vital reforms for revitalising the German economy.
ACADEMIC FREEDOM
Join a series of events that explore the complexities, challenges and importance of upholding academic freedom. Uncover the pressures faced by researchers dealing with controversial topics, hear the stories of endangered and refugee scientists, and discuss the role of the media in addressing sensitive issues and protecting the safety of researchers.
SHAPING TECHNOLOGY
Discover the transformative power of technology through events that explore the societal and ethical implications of innovations. From critical reflections on the myths surrounding AI to speculations on the revolutionary impact of quantum physics, these sessions will investigate how technologies shape our world and how we can reimagine their role in society.
EMPOWERING DIVERSITY
Explore the vital themes of diversity and inclusion in science through a series of events that focus on empowering underrepresented groups. From redefining leadership and dismantling biases to amplifying diverse voices in academia, these sessions offer fresh perspectives on how we can reshape scientific institutions and create a more equitable and inclusive future for all.
GLOBAL CHALLENGES
Explore the interconnected global issues through a series of events that tackle critical challenges from diverse perspectives. From climate resilience in Central Asia to the rise of China and India as global powers and the role of science diplomacy in the Arctic, these sessions offer a deep dive into the urgent topics of our time. Engage with leading experts as they explore sustainable solutions, transnational cooperation and the influence of culture and tradition on the future of our planet.
EVENING INSPIRATIONS
Discover the perfect blend of culture and science through evening events that entertain and inspire. From music derived from quantum electronics research to thought-provoking literary readings and science inspired improv comedy, these sessions explore the intersections of art, science and society. Join us for engaging performances, discussions and exhibitions that offer a fresh take on creativity and the human spirit—perfect for those seeking thought-provoking entertainment after dark.
