“The Vienna Ball of Science – a ball that should be opened with the words ,And every molecule moves!‘ . I’m sure nothing promotes interdisciplinarity more than a little clash on the dance floor. Once you’ve kicked each other, the ice is broken and inspiration for a chat is served on the ball parquet. And since science in Vienna also includes the art universities, there is also a chance that a creative spark may jump over. ”

Cornelia Travnicek is a novelist. Among other honors, she received the Theodor-Körner-Award 2008 and the Audience Prize at the Ingeborg Bachmann Competition 2012. In addition to her literary work, she also works as a researcher at the Vienna Center for Virtual Reality and Visualization. Cornelia studied computer science and sinology.

Photo: Dirk Skiba

“Science and research are an important part of our society. For the fourth time now, the Science Ball is helping to present Vienna all over the world as a city which combines cutting-edge research with old traditions. I am particularly pleased that our young researchers are being brought into the public eye at the Vienna Ball of Sciences. They contribute significantly  to our research and will definitely enjoy the event. Ultimately, science is about sharing and creating new knowledge – and what strengthens a sense of collaboration more than a jolly evening in a special ambience? I’m happy to be part of it! ”

Anna Obenauf is the group leader of the Obenauf Lab, which studies cancer metastasis and therapy resistance at the Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP). She did her PhD at Medical University of Graz and was a postdoctoral fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the US.

Foto: Lukas Beck

“The Vienna Ball of Sciences sets a signal. A signal that is necessary more than ever. At the Sci Ball we dance for open minds and tolerance. We also dance against those who have long been trying to propagate their terrible ideas in the Vienna Hofburg. Let’s show everyone that there is another way! Science and teaching are free. It’s a good thing, that there’s the Sci Ball. ”

Johanna Zechmeister is the chairperson of the Austrian Student Union, nominated by the independent student list (FLÖ). She studies medicine and law.

“The JAM MUSIC LAB Private University for Jazz and Popular Music is pleased to be the youngest member of the Austrian music universities to participate in the Vienna Ball of Science. Jazz began its journey as dance music of the 1920s and 30s. Since then it has always been reinterpreted. So did our wonderful students, who will contribute their interpretation of this ‘dance music’. Even a musical particle can be in several places at the same time – we want to set both, dance legs and scientific inspiration of the ball guests, in motion. ”

The guitarist and music theorist Marcus Ratka is co-founder of the JAM MUSIC LAB Private University for Jazz and Popular Music, which was accredited by the Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy in February 2017. Ratka worked as a musician with Joe Zawinul, Sylvester Levay, Harry Kupfer, Jérôme Savary, Werner Herzog, Hansi Lang, Paul Capsis, Roman Gottwald, Thomas Gansch, Mario Gonzi, Georg Breinschmid, Bumi Fian, Herwig Gradischnig and Erika Pluhar.

“Science plays an important role in Vienna. Many international partners in various fields cooperate with local researchers. How nice that this special event, the Vienna Ball of Sciences, has been established a couple of years ago, where scientists exchange ideas in a cheerful atmosphere and show that this is a large community. I wish you all a glittering party and a lot of fun!”

Eva Schlegel is an artist often working at the interface of arts and science. Until 2011 Schlegel was Professor for Art and Photography at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna

Photo: Günther Peroutka

“Research + Vienna = Scienceball. This equation stands for the combination of the classical and traditional and the modern and progressive aspects of the city of Vienna, that are united at the Ball of Science. We can look forward to an exciting and lively evening with many interesting conversations, outstanding personalities and excellent dance music.”

Biotechnologist Agnes Reiner (30) deals in her thesis on early detection of ovarian cancer with everything that happens between our cells. For her PhD she conducted research in Vienna and Singapore. Now Rainer continues her research at the Department of Physiological Chemistry, U Vienna. Above all, she is the winner of the Falling Walls Conference 2017 in Berlin.

“Scientists spinning in circles? That’s nothing special, for this you do not need the Vienna Ball of Sciences. It happens every day with theories in the labs or with theses in the journals. What makes the Sci Ball Vienna special is the openness and joy of a worldwide research community in the heart of Europe. It goes to prove what until recently no-one would have thought is possible: scientists are actually open to having fun!”

Peter Klien – a trained philosopher and classicist – is known as reporter in the ORF late-night show “Willkommen Österreich”. His new solo show “Reporters Without Borders” is on since 15 November 2017 at the Rabenhof Theater.

“Balls have a long and proud history in Vienna. Until today, having a ball of its own reflects the social importance of a profession, a guild, a union, or any other part of society. Building on an outstanding history of remarkable contributions to science and society, the scientific community of Vienna of today is alive and vibrant as ever. The Vienna Ball of Sciences brings this community together to celebrate both the past and the present. I am looking forward to this event of the year for every scientist in Vienna!”

Miriam Unterlass was born in Erlangen in Germany. Sie studied chemistry, materials science and chemical engineering in Würzburg, Lyon and Southampton. In December 2012 she established her junior research group “Advanced Polymer Materials” at the Institute of Materials Chemistry of TU Wien, 2017 Unterlass received the FWF START-Award. 

Photo: Karoline Wolf

“Before coming to Vienna, I had never heard about balls that are arranged to celebrate science. What a wonderful idea! Gathering scientists, people from industry and politicians for such an event and at such a beautiful location can – besides bringing lots of joy – foster new connections and further promote Austrian research and education. Vienna has certainly much to offer to those curious in mind and those, who simply like to enjoy life. Let’s be both! I am very much looking forward to this year’s Vienna Ball of Sciences, and hope to learn how to waltz just in time.”

Sergey Zotchev is Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the Department of Pharmacognosy/University of Vienna since September 2015.

“The Vienna Science Ball is a great new tradition that brings scientists from all fields together. I think it’s particularly nice that the ‘scientific community’ has a special reason to meet outside of conferences. Just as spectacular ball nights are inextricably linked with Vienna, internationality, health and sustainability are part of Vetmeduni Vienna. To ensure that all ball guests can enjoy their Schnitzel Roll and Sacher Sausages, we advocate using innovative livestock medicine for healthy food. ”

Andrea Ladinig is the head of the University Clinic for Swine at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna since August 2017. She is specialized on the PRRS virus, which is considered one of the most significant viral diseases of pigs and which currently causes high losses in pig production.