European Summer School on Science Communication 2026

September 21-23, 2026, Frankfurt a.M., Germany

So why should you join?

Science plays a crucial role in shaping our world, but effectively communicating research beyond the academic sphere is more important than ever. In an era of information overload, strong science communication helps build trust, engage diverse audiences, and ensure that evidence-based knowledge informs public discussions. So let’s team up for science!
The European Summer School on Science Communication (ES3C) brings together young scientists to explore innovative ways of sharing their work, making complex ideas accessible, and fostering meaningful dialogue. Join us to gain practical skills, connect with like-minded people, and become a more confident and impactful science communicator.

Application

In order to get the best mix of students we need to make a selection. Application for the ES3C is possible for PhD and Master students from all fields of research. If you don’t fit the criteria (e.g. you just finished your PhD) and still want to apply, please indicate that in your application.

Please apply until June 30 by sending an e-mail to 

Include a 1-page CV and a max. 1-page motivation letter why you want to join the school combined in a single pdf file.

The ES3C is financially supported by science 42. Thus the conference fee for the ES3C also includes the attendance for the SCI-COM-E meeting. If you are selected, the fee for both events is 275 €.

ProgramME

The programme of the European Summer School on Science Communication always highlights different science communication formats and topics in depth. We will introduce you to practical science communication. Since we cannot give an exhaustive overview of the field, we will rather highlight a few topics in greater depth.
The 2026 programme is nearly finished, we are currently putting the final touches and it will be ready within the next few days. To give you an overview of the current status please check below.

21.09.2026

09:00 – 10:30

An extended session to get to know each other in a slightly different manner. It is a surprise, but don’t worry, it’s great fun!

10:30 – 11:00

Coffee break in the Faculty Lounge

11:00 – 12:30

What is science communication—and why does it matter? This introductory workshop offers a foundational overview for anyone new to the field. Participants will explore the goals, formats, and audiences of science communication, learn how to translate complex research into clear, engaging messages, and discuss the role of scientists in public discourse. Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, the session provides essential tools and insights for effectively sharing science beyond the lab or lecture hall. Perfect for researchers, students, and professionals taking their first steps into science communication.

12:30 – 14:00

Lunch Break on campus.

14:00 – 16:00

What is science communication—and why does it matter? This introductory workshop offers a foundational overview for anyone new to the field. Participants will explore the goals, formats, and audiences of science communication, learn how to translate complex research into clear, engaging messages, and discuss the role of scientists in public discourse. Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, the session provides essential tools and insights for effectively sharing science beyond the lab or lecture hall. Perfect for researchers, students, and professionals taking their first steps into science communication.

16:00 – 16:30

Coffee break in the Faculty Lounge

16:30 – 18:00

What is science communication—and why does it matter? This introductory workshop offers a foundational overview for anyone new to the field. Participants will explore the goals, formats, and audiences of science communication, learn how to translate complex research into clear, engaging messages, and discuss the role of scientists in public discourse. Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, the session provides essential tools and insights for effectively sharing science beyond the lab or lecture hall. Perfect for researchers, students, and professionals taking their first steps into science communication.

22.09.2026

09:00 – 10:30

Content will be announced soon.

10:30 – 11:00

Coffee break in the Faculty Lounge

11:00 -12:30

Content will be announced soon.

12:30 – 14:00

Lunch Break on campus.

14:00 – 16:00

Content will be announced soon.

16:00 – 16:30

Coffee break in the Faculty Lounge

16:30 – 18:00

Content will be announced soon.

18:30

Tango is the art of dreaming passionately with your feet. As a freely improvised couple dance, the original tango is closely related to scientific concepts. In this session, we will programme our first tango steps, swing Schrödinger’s dancing leg and compile simple algorithms on the dance floor. Finally, we will dance CPT transformations, which means we will mirror dance figures in relation to charge, space and time. So this fully optional session will get you moving to tango music. It will be fun, even without previous dance experience.

23.09.2026

09:00 – 10:30

We are currently finalizing this session. What we can promise already, it will be interesting and fun.

10:30 – 11:00

Coffee break in the Faculty Lounge

11:00 – 12:30

We are currently finalizing this session. What we can promise already, it will be interesting and fun.

12:30 – 14:00

Lunch Break on campus.

14:00 – 15:00

The SCI-COM-E starts directly after the summer school. The opening session will be followed by the keynote speech. For more information, please visit the SCI-COM-E website.

15:00 – 16:00

Jan Wörner has decades of experience in technical communication, international science engagement and space diplomacy. The abstract of his keynote will be published soon.

Lecturers

The European Summer School on Science Communication will feature experienced science communicators who will cover a broad range of science communication formats.

While we are currently working on the last details and getting together the pictures and CVs we already wanted to show the current status. So stay tuned until the final information is available within the next few days.

Matthew Barwick has been working as a filmmaker for over 20 years, specialising first in humanitarian communication, working with NGOs globally. He is now focused on science communication and public health with the Uppsala Monitoring Centre, a WHO Collaborating Centre in Sweden. 

Matt has produced a variety of work over the years; including documentary shorts, animated explainers, character animation for global campaigns, behaviour change communication and promotional films. Normally being involved in every stage of production. 

He has also taught filmmaking skills for many years, including the UK, Ecuador, Kenya, Cambodia, Costa Rica and Colombia. He has a strong interest in participatory communication, having been a large part of his studies in Media and International Development. 

David Ohse

David is a trained astrophysicist and passionate science communicator. He likes to try out new formats to communicate science: from physics show musicals and board games to immersive escape rooms. Through his science communication, he wants to bring people together and make them laugh.

Melek is a biophysicist and a passionate science communicator. Since 2019, she has been working for renowned institutions, doing what she does best: explaining complex research in an accessible and engaging way. Whether organising Girls’ Day, running video production workshops, or leading interactive science communication sessions, Melek brings science to life for people.

Her particular expertise lies in video production: alongside interviews, Melek produces a wide range of social media content that translates science into new formats.

When Melek isn’t in front of or behind the camera, she’s working on ways to make research even more accessible to anyone who’s curious.

What drives her? Making science accessible to everyone. Having grown up in a migrant household, she knows how important it is to build bridges and break down barriers, especially for people without a scientific or academic background. She is convinced that science can fascinate anyone.

Sascha Vogel is a theoretical physicist and science communicator, with a background in nuclear and particle physics. His career started in science, then he went to science management and ended up in science communication. He founded an agency for science communication, which successfully runs projects and workshops since 2019. 

As a trainer and speaker, Sascha specializes in science communication, presentations and career development. 

With years of experience in academic research, industry, and public engagement, Sascha understands both the scientific and communication challenges researchers face. His workshops equip participants with practical tools and strategies to enhance their communication skills, whether for conferences, media interactions, or public outreach.

Jan Wörner (c) FIAS
Keynote Speaker 2026

Jan Wörner is a civil engineer who did his doctorate on component-structure interactions during earthquakes. After working in an engineering office he returned to academia and became a professor at the Technical University of Darmstadt. He founded his own engineering office and then started a career in science management, notably as university president, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), and Scientific Director of Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS). Beyond this, he has acted as mediator for controversial infrastructure projects like Frankfurt Airport.

Therefore, he has decades of experience in technical communication, international science engagement and space diplomacy.

TBA.

Click to show Google Maps
Confirmation will connect to a third party service, subject to its own independent privacy policy!

Venue

The European Summer School on Science Communication (ES3C) will take place at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS) at the Campus Riedberg of Goethe University Frankfurt.

There are plenty of hotels in Frankfurt and it is easily reachable by train, car or plane. If you need any assistance, please let us know.

Partners

The European Summer School on Science Communication would not be possible without its great partners. If you want to support this or further events, please get in touch.