All posts by Oliver Lehmann

Why we are giving ourselves a motto for 2026

General

“To boldly go where no one has gone before.”

Other balls adopt a motto every year. The Science Ball has always been reluctant in this regard. Firstly, because we on the organising committee wanted to establish a traditional ball from the very beginning, one that would convince by virtue of its mission. The maxim “Fun with decency, dance with attitude” is as true in 2026 as it was at the beginning in 2015. And besides: Does the Opera Ball have a motto that goes beyond the musical program? The Techniker Cercle? Or the Philharmonic Ball? All right, then. Continue reading Why we are giving ourselves a motto for 2026 →

On the passing of Tom Lehrer

General

The death of the great Tom Lehrer at the age of 97 is very sad news. The mathematician and songwriter is best known for his song “Elements.” In 2021, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, we asked chemist and pianist Nuno Maulide (University of Vienna) to accompany Anne Wieben in her performance of Lehrer’s prophetic “I Got It From Agnes,” in which he explains chains of infection with his trademark blend of science and sarcasm. Continue reading On the passing of Tom Lehrer →

The ball video 2025: the highlights of the night

Ball 2025, General

The highlights of the Science Ball 2025. With insights into the ball events such as the midnight quadrille and the speech by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen as well as excerpts from the performances by Katia Ledoux and Donna Savage. Plus interviews with Mayor Michael Ludwig, City Councillor for Science Veronica Kaup-Hasler, political scientist Maja Göpel, molecular biologist Elly Tanaka, upcycle designer Saki, quantum physicists Philipp Haslinger and Markus Aspelmeyer (both quantA), ball organizer Oliver Lehmann and many visibly impressed guests.

Red Carpet 2025

Ball 2025, General

Our guests of honor traditionally meet for a drink in the town hall shortly before the official opening of the ball. These include ball ambassadors, whose encouraging and critical messages can be found in the blog of the last few weeks; the representatives of universities, universities of applied sciences, private universities and research institutions who support us with their networks and form the honorary committee; companies, alumni associations and funding institutions who contribute to the financing of the ball with their bookings; public figures who care about science, education and research; and last but not least our guests from abroad. Continue reading Red Carpet 2025 →

Vienna Lecture with Maja Göpel

Ball 2025, Vienna Lecture

On the eve of the ball, on Friday, 24 January 2025, Maja Göpel gave the Vienna Lecture on Science Communication in the festive hall of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. The introduction and welcome was given by Univ.-Prof. Matthias Karmasin, representing ÖAW President Heinz Fassmann. Göpel’s well-founded and animated appeal for greater involvement of science in public discourse was enthusiastically received by the audience. Continue reading Vienna Lecture with Maja Göpel →