SCI-COM-E 2025

July 30 – August 1, 2025, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

So who is this for?

The SCI-COM-E meeting is intended for professionals in science communication who want to get new insights, meet fascinating people and expand their network in science communication.

In addition we invite all students from the European Summer School on Science Communication to join the meeting.

Diversity

The SCI-COM-E meeting brings together people from all over the world to discuss science communication, share ideas and build lasting networks. We are looking for a variety of topics, people and audiences. Thus the topic of 2025 – DIVERSITY.

Registration

Registration for the SCI-COM-E is done via e-mail. Please send a mail with your name, institution and billing address to or just use the form below.

The early bird conference fee is 250€. This is valid until May 31, 2025 and the fee after that date is 275€. We will send an invoice with your given details and once paid you are registered for the whole event.

Keynotes

The keynote of SCI-COM-E 2025 will be given by Philipp Schrögel.

He will talk about

Exclusive Science Communication – Who is really reached and who is left out?

Science communication is becoming increasingly diverse regarding its formats, from science slams to science festivals, from evening lectures to dialog workshops. But does this diversity also apply to the people involved? Doesn’t science communication often only reach audiences who are already interested, while marginalized groups are still left out? Even if there is an increased awareness among scientific institutions and science communicators, many societal groups are still hardly reached by the typical formats of science communication. The barriers and levels of discrimination can vary greatly. The talk will give an introduction into the basic concepts for audience analysis in science communication and present a typology of exclusion factors and access barriers.

Program

The current program can be soon below. However you can (and should!) still contribute to the program!

We try to accommodate as many contributions as we can, so please send a short abstract (max 200 words) by e-mail.

Submit an abstract

Program

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

30.07.2025

12:30 – 14:00

Registering for the SCI-COM-E

14:00 – 14:30

Welcome note for the SCI-COM-E.

Sascha Vogel

14:30 – 16:00

Science communication is becoming increasingly diverse regarding its formats, from science slams to science festivals, from evening lectures to dialog workshops. But does this diversity also apply to the people involved? Doesn’t science communication often only reach audiences who are already interested, while marginalized groups are still left out? Even if there is an increased awareness among scientific institutions and science communicators, many societal groups are still hardly reached by the typical formats of science communication. The barriers and levels of discrimination can vary greatly. The talk will give an introduction into the basic concepts for audience analysis in science communication and present a typology of exclusion factors and access barriers.

Philipp Schrögel

16:00 – 16:30

Coffee break in the Faculty Lounge

16:30 – 18:00

World Cafe Discussion on Diversity in Science Communication

31.07.2025

09:00 – 11:30

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

Sascha Vogel

11:30 – 12:00

Since 2021, ISOQUANT has fostered the dialogue between art and science through its SciArt program. ISOQUANT is a Collaborative Research Center (CRC) funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and based in Heidelberg, Germany. Together we investigate the overarching topic of “Isolated Quantum Systems and Universality under Extreme Conditions.”

Our SciArt program has included artist residencies, public talks, documentation, and exhibitions of artworks inspired by quantum physics research. During the residency, artists immerse themselves in the scientific environment for several months, developing innovative projects inspired by exchanges with our researchers. The resulting artworks are made visible to the public, engaging audiences who might not typically explore physics. Highlights of the program include successful residencies by Alexandra Hunts and Philip Kanwischer, documented in the publication New Links Between Different Systems.

In 2025, we expand internationally and across disciplines, partnering with Nationaltheater Mannheim (NTM) and ArtHub Copenhagen. Playwright Sarah Calörtscher will explore how quantum physics can be incorparated in dramatic texts with NTM, while ArtHub’s collaboration enables an artist to work between Copenhagen and Heidelberg, fostering cross-cultural inspiration.

Our contribution to the Sci-Com conference will detail the program’s structure, highlight its timeline and future goals, and feature visuals of selected artworks created through this unique collaboration.

Lisa Rangena

12:00 – 12:30

Snow crystals are among the most delicate and aesthetically beautiful things in nature. Their geometrically unique features have inspired photographers and scientists for more than two centuries. However, being made of frozen water, their beauty is usually ephemeral and can usually only be captured in pictures. In this project, we present a system to permanently preserve the highly detailed imprints of snow and ice crystals using special kinds of glue and a custom-built cooling device. The resolution of the imprints is high enough to reveal the inner structure of the sometimes sub-millimetre sized features.  We collected more than 100 snow crystals from Antarctica and the Arctic so far, including both winters. Additionally, we also found a way to preserve imprints of larger snow and glacier ice samples. These snow crystals and ice features are showcased in artistical objects. The objects not only highlight the delicate beauty of the ice but also refer to the fragility and delicate balance of the environments they originate from. This is supported by the integration of other materials that have been in use in the polar regions, for example discarded parts of scientific and technical equipment. We consider the artistic presentation as an innovative pathway to communicate the fascination of our scientific work to the public and to engage people with the uncomfortable truths of climate change.

Helene Hoffmann

12:30 – 14:00

Self-organized lunch on campus

14:00 – 14:30

YouTube and Wikipedia never sleep. Every second, 43 years’ worth of streaming content is watched, and 360,000 tweets are sent. Our largest knowledge infrastructures can no longer keep pace with the sheer volume of information being created, let alone verify its accuracy or reach those misled by misinformation.

While platforms like Wikipedia serve as general knowledge bases, and the Open Research Knowledge Graph (ORKG) supports scholarly knowledge, no comparable system exists for science communication (SciCom). Without tools such as a search engine for trustworthy science content, like videos or podcasts , it’s easy to slip into misinformation bubbles and echo chambers.

We have researched how we can bring structure to the content flood. This topic is now more important than ever, with GenAI further dragging down the public trust, already stress-tested by a global pandemic and rise of populism. We  can highlight systems that are working, and offer ideas to strengthen them. We’ll discuss how Wikipedia helped bring us to this high point of collective knowledge, how knowledge graphs like Wikidata and the ORKG represent the next step forward, and how we can build something like that for us, the SciCom KI: A WissKomm Wiki for accessible, trustworthy science communication.

Tim Wittenborg

14:30 – 15:00

As the climate crisis intensifies, climate scientists are increasingly expected to engage in public discourse. Universities and research institutions often treat climate communication as an essential academic duty, yet rarely offer the structural support needed to sustain those doing the work. Scientists tasked with communicating climate issues frequently juggle research, teaching, and outreach—often at the expense of their own emotional and cognitive well-being. Like planetary resources, their capacities are finite.

Meanwhile, growing public concern and a deepening sense of moral responsibility are pushing scientists into ever more visible roles—as public figures or even “celebrity scientists.” These roles are seen as crucial in bridging the persistent gap between climate knowledge and meaningful action. Dialogue-based, relational approaches to science communication are increasingly promoted as effective strategies for engaging the public and motivating change. However, without adequate institutional recognition and support, these efforts risk becoming unsustainable.

This paper highlights the need to prioritize the well-being of climate communicators and calls for a reimagining of support structures within academia. As we urge scientists to be present in the climate conversation, we must also ask: what does it take to keep them there, and at what cost?

Jagoda Mytych

15:00 – 15:30

Room for discussion

15:30 – 16:00

Coffee break in the Faculty Lounge

16:00 – 18:00

Abstract will be added soon.

Veronika Kratzer David Ohse

19:00

Conference Dinner in a traditional Frankfurt Restaurant

01.08.2025

09:00 – 09:30

How can science communication go beyond explanation and foster real connection? The Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics’ mobile research lab, “Night Owl or Early Bird?” offers an innovative response. Our neuroscience roadshow touring around Germany between May and July 2025 explores how light influences perception, behavior, and our internal biological clocks—while placing public participation, trust-building, and collaborative exploration at its core.

Rather than confining research to laboratories, the project brings science directly to people—in everyday settings such as music festivals, trade fairs, and rural communities. With interactive experiments, personaldialogue, and citizen science opportunities, the mobile lab reaches individuals who often have limited access to academic research. This approach not only broadens engagement but also contributes to morediverse, representative data in chronobiology and neuroscience, helping to address biases in conventional studies.

This talk presents the roadshow as a case study in low-barrier, dialogue-driven science communication. It highlights both the opportunities and challenges of conducting rigorous physiological field research while fostering genuine public involvement. Ultimately, the project demonstrates how embedding science in everyday life can build trust, democratize knowledge, and enrich the public’s relationship with research.

Website: https://www.nachtmensch-oder-fruehaufsteher.de/

Marie Schreiter

09:30 – 10:00

There is no one size fits all when it comes to communicating forest science. In Austria the transition to climate fit forests heavily depends on the involvement of private forest owners as they are responsible for more than 80% of the forested area. Societal shifts have diversified that ownership, with many new owners lacking formal forestry knowledge.

This requires novel and user-centric ways of communicating new findings and help the practitioners develop their understanding of a climate fit future of our forests.

Therefore, we created the climate-fit forest platform as a one-stop shop with information and tools like an advisor search and a traffic light system for selecting suitable tree species. Additionally, a series of accessible videos guides new owners through topics such as forest inheritance.

Even though the use of digital media like podcasts, social media, and videos has become a key branch of communicating forest related information, it is still vital to forge real life connections between practitioners and scientists. Therefore, a fundamental part of our work is face-to-face communication with communities and organisations requesting our experts for events and personal advice on the ground on topics such as tree species selection and biodiversity conservation.

Viktoria Valenta

10:30 – 11:00

Coffee Break in the Faculty Lounge

11:00 – 12:30

Students presentations developed through the week / flash talks

12:30 – 14:00

Self-organized lunch on campus

14:00 – 15:30

Wrapping up the conference, talking about next steps, deepening the network

Lecturers

Textinhalt

CV coming soon.

Peer Coaching
David Ohse

David Ohse is a science communicator with a passion for making complex ideas accessible and engaging. With a background in [insert relevant field if known], he develops innovative formats that bring science into everyday life—whether through live events, interactive experiences, or creative storytelling. His work bridges the gap between research and the public, fostering dialogue, curiosity, and critical thinking.

Peer Coaching
Philipp Schrögel

Philipp Schrögel is a science communication researcher and practitioner with a background in physics. He earned his TU Chemitz, where he focuses on science communication, particularly in dialogue and participation, citizen science, creative forms of science communication, art and science collaborations, science comics, and serious gaming.  

Keynote: Exclusive Science Communication – Who is really reached and who is left out?
Sascha Vogel

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.

Hands-On Science Communication Format

CV coming soon.

Bringing structure to the content flood

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Venue

The SCI-COM-E will take place at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies at the Campus Riedberg of Goethe University Frankfurt.

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

Partners

The SCI-COM-E meeting would not be possible without its great partners. If you want to support this or further events, please get in touch.