2024: Science communication with a difference
Science communication doesn’t have to be boring. It can also be stimulating and lively instead. But how does entertaining science communication succeed?
“If science is to reach many people, it must be understandable and easily accessible. But it is often a balancing act to communicate in a way that is understandable and entertaining, but still scientifically correct”, said IQWiG Director Thomas Kaiser at the opening of the Autumn Symposium 2024 in Cologne's Mediapark, which was attended by more than 250 guests.
To kick things off, Philipp Schrögel, Philipp Niemann and Elisabeth Jurack took a scientific approach to the topic: Which presentation formats are well received, what makes the audience feel particularly well addressed? And how can the audience not only be entertained, but also actively participate in science?
Josef Hecken, impartial Chairman of the Joint Federal Committee, addressed an unusual welcome speech to the audience: Seriously, but also entertaining and, as usual, very passionate, he expressed his concern about the significance of evidence-based medicine in the German health care system.
Afterwards, the three science slammers Tim Hollstein, Melanie Lausen and Felix Stegmann demonstrated how to present the results of scientific work in a maximum of ten minutes in an entertaining way.
The IQWiG Autumn Symposium 2024 was accompanied and rounded off by the improvisational theatre group ‘Die Taubenhaucher’. The four-member team was on site during the event, collecting facts and impressions and ending the stage programme with an improvised performance.
