“At this moment we can see how important different disciplines are in overcoming a crisis. This illustrates how crucial it is that science, society and politics cooperate. We need to give the public sphere a better understanding of science and educate society in order to reduce fears and skepticism. Science – in all areas – must become more accessible, visible and open, and society must become more enlightened.”

Johanna Pirker is assistant professor, software engineer, and director of the research group Game Lab Graz at the Institute of Interactive Systems and Data Science at Graz University of Technology. Her work focusses on games research, data analysis and immersive environments (VR). She has received various awards for her research, the most recent addition being the Hedy-Lamarr Award by the City of Vienna. 

“Decades of independent research have made it possible for scientists to develop not only one, but several vaccines against Covid-19 in a record-breaking span of time. In order to stop climate change and hit the 1.5-degree-target, scholars and scientists work together, as we need to reach a fundamental change in the way our society thinks and acts in addition to finding or optimizing alternative, renewable sources of energy. Instead of learning from the pandemic and the climate crisis and encouraging independent research so that we can build upon foundations for the next crisis, funding has been massively withdrawn.  Continue reading Antonia Weberling: stop the funding cuts! →

“An inherent feature of science is to ask questions leading to a better understanding of the world. However, the scientific system immediately has to be questioned regarding its accessibility for different individuals, since societies and academic institutions still lack homogenous access to education, opportunities and chances. Thus, science is depleted of diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity and ultimately and most importantly: mindsets. Continue reading Nicole Amberg: gender equality as driving force →

This morning, the authorities announced a lockdown for 20 days starting Monday, November 22, 2021, and a mandatory COVID vaccination as of  February 1, 2022. We welcome these measures because they allow us to proceed with planning for the Science Ball on January 29, 2022. Continue reading The pandemic and the midnight quadrille →

The 8th Vienna Ball of Sciences will take place on January 29, 2022 at the Vienna City Hall. Under particularly strict Corona rules. And thanks to the power of science.

The one piece of good news: according to the current rules, the ball will take place. Why are we, as the organizing committee, daring the experiment? Because we are imposing particularly strict rules based on the findings of science. Continue reading The Power of Science →

It happens frequently that the Science Ball becomes the object of research. A particularly fine example is a musicological publication by Stefano Elefante, who since 2018 has left an extremly elegant footprint on the dancefloor of our Tango Bar with his excellent Tango Argentino dancers. In the extraordinarily well-researched paper (“Gran Balli e Millonghe”), which appeared in the most important Italian tango blog in the fall of 2020, Stefano Elefante et al explain the similarities and differences between milongas in Buonos Aires and balls in Vienna: Continue reading Tango as science →

Any plans for tonight? We recommend the re-run of the 7th Vienna Ball of Science Corona Edition ft. Science Busters here and on W24 this evening (Feb 12) at 9.30pm.

Thank you very much for your interest in our premiere last Friday! Due to the great response, the server of our homepage collapsed for a short while. Therefore, here below is the link to our recording. And on Friday, February 12, the Vienna Ball of Science 2021 Corona Edition ft. Science Busters will be broadcast again on the city station W24 at 9:30 pm. Continue reading Many thanks! →

The trailer for the 7th Vienna Ball of Science Corona Edition ft. Science Busters as TV show on W24 and online here on Friday, 5.2., 9.30 pm. Have fun!

Just in time for our video premiere on February 5th (21:30 on W24 and again on February 12th) we present a glance behind the scenes!

All photos (c) Roland Ferrigato