Science is the driving force behind our progress. Today, more than ever, we also see the negative consequences that progress has brought with it: the climate catastrophe. As Wiener Stadtwerke, we have a clear mandate to end the age of fossil fuels in Vienna. This is a Herculean task that requires more than pure will. Continue reading Peter Weinelt: Driving force behind progress
Climate as a focus: Walfisch Poldi, CO2 cubes and the cuddle choir • Premiere of the ball lecture at the ÖAW: Marc Abrahams on the meaning of science communication • And again, the ball is completely sold out
The science ball is entering the home stretch: two weeks to the major event, the final preparations are being made to delight the audience with scientific and artistic performances on January 27th. Ball organizer Oliver Lehmann: “Since the ground floor of the town hall is available to us again this year, we can welcome 4,000 guests this time. The ball is completely sold out. There will be no box office on the evening of the ball itself.” 
Continue reading Whale song and Schmusechor
We are very much looking forward to the visit of guest of honor Andrea Fischer! The Tyrolean glaciologist is Scientist of the Year 2023. The award was presented to her at a press conference in the Concordia press club by the Club of Education and Science Journalists for her impressive skills in communicating science.
After congratulations from club chairwoman Eva Stanzl and ÖAW president Heinz Fassmann, ball organizer Oliver Lehmann presented her with her personal ticket. She likes crampons more than dancing shoes. Fischer revealed that her visit to the science ball will be a first. She had never been to a ball before. Fischer will be a guest of Science Minister Martin Polaschek in the town hall. Continue reading From the glacier to the ball room
Even as a child, I was inspired by the diaries of heroic explorers – Robert F. Scott and Fridtjof Nansen, who explored the North and South Poles, Alexander von Humboldt and Joseph de Jussieu, who traversed the deepest jungles, and Amelia Earhart and Heinrich Harrer, who ventured to the highest heights. Continue reading Carmen Possnig: Science as a voyage of discovery
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Science begins with the Word, which sets out in search of the truth. Truth is revealed to man in creation or, in other words, through the natural-scientific world, as atheistic schools of thought formulate it. Continue reading Adrian Goiginger: Tolerance, openness and inclusion
Edit Jan 4: The quota is fully booked! Many thanks!
Why are all these party people so cheerful? Because they have already secured their ball tickets! As a big thank you for your support, attention and awareness in the last weeks, a special surprise is waiting for the friends of the Science Ball in our online ticket office: 5% discount for a quota of 200 full-price tickets as well as for 5 tables in the side halls ordered in our online shop from December 23, 2023 until January 8, 2024. The Organizing Committee wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Mayor Michael Ludwig and Science City Councilor Veronica Kaup-Hasler present the program for January 27, 2024
“Vienna and science simply belong together,” explains Mayor Dr. Michael Ludwig on the occasion of a photo session in the town hall together with city councilor Veronica Kaup-Hasler and ball organizer Oliver Lehmann. “The 9th Vienna Science Ball will once again bring the relevance and excellence of research in Vienna into the spotlight of the public, at home and abroad. Continue reading The highlights of the #SciBall24 program
Science is rigorous and precise; it observes, describes and explains. Emotions may seem out of place. Perhaps this is why scientists are portrayed in countless films, series and novels as emotionless logicians to whom feelings seem alien and unbearable. But people feel, and therefore people who do science also feel emotions. Continue reading Sophie Lecheler: Science with emotion!
The ball team uses its Christmas party at the excellent Ludwig & Adele to inspect the pop-up ball office in Vienna’s Stadtkino (open from 8 January 2024). In a festive mood from left to right: Martin Mühl (Monopol Verlag), Chiara Joos (Ball Editor), Claudia Spitz and Emilie Kleinszig (Producers), Petra Eckhart (Ball Management), Thomas Pani (Web Management) and Oliver Lehmann (Ball Organizer). We wish you happy holidays!
Photo: Roland Ferrigato
Our discount offer for our ball partners starts on Monday, 11 December. Members of these institutions can book packages of five full-price tickets for the price of four tickets or ten full-price tickets for the price of eight tickets until 23 December – while stocks last. This results in a discount of 20% per ticket, i.e. € 80 instead of € 100. Please note: This discount offer only applies to members of universities, universities of applied sciences and private universities which have booked an honorary box or an honorary table in the grand ballroom or a table in the side halls. Continue reading Discount for ball partners