“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!

Bevor es losgeht, stellt sich Chemiker Nuno Maulide dem Test der Grätzlschwester

Alle TeilnehmerInnen werden getestet

Sopran Anne Wieben vor ihrem Auftritt

Das Ballteam (v.l.) Claudia Spitz, Petra Eckhart, Joseph Stoisits, Emilie Kleinszig

Das Produktionsteam rund um Kurt Raunjak

Sopran Anne Wieben begleitet von Chemiker Nuno Maulide singt "I got it from Agnes" des großen Tom Lehrer

Am Flügel: Nuno Maulide

Anne Wieben

"Herr der Ringe" Nuno Maulide und Science Busters Mastermind Martin Puntigam

 

Materialwissenschaftlerin Miriam Unterlass

 

Astrophysiker Franz Kerschbaum stellt sich den Fragen Martin Puntigams

Auch Astronom Florian Freistetter erklärt Puntigam das Universum

 

Wo sonst die Mitternachtsquadrille durch den Saal walzt, wird diesmal die TV Show aufgenommen

Theoretischer Physiker Misha Lemeshko

 

Vier Kameras sind im Einsatz

Bild- und Tonregie überwachen die Show

Lisa Oberzaucher erläutert das Phänomen des Impfneids

 

Verhaltensbiologin Oberzaucher, Ballorganisator Oliver Lehmann, Science Buster Martin Puntigam

Das Produktionsteam von wienweit medien für W24

Auch Bürgermeister Michael Ludwig wird für den TV Auftritt vorbereitet

Bürgermeister Ludwig beantwortet Fragen zu den großen Krisen der Gegenwart: Klimakrise und Coronavirus

Bürgermeister Ludwig und Ballorganisator Lehmann planen den 8. Wissenschaftsballs am 29.1.2022

All photos (c) Roland Ferrigato

“It doesn’t seem instantly apparent, how discourse researchers and lingusts can contribute to the big challenges of our time. Natural scientists have been involved until recently in a ‘race to the top’, to find the first good medication or effective vaccine against COVID-19. Social scientists cannot achieve that. Continue reading Ruth Wodak: Crisis? Communication! →

“I congratulate Mayor Dr. Michael Ludwig on his success in greatly fostering education, internationalism, and science in Vienna, and in creating for them the space that this extraordinary cosmopolitan city needs for its prosperous future. May the traditional Vienna Ball of Sciences continue to reflect a visible sign of enlightenment, of openness to the world, and of the joy of knowledge from the heart of Europe.”

Ronald S. Lauder is President of the World Jewish Congress and President of the Lauder Business School in Vienna.