“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

On January 27, 2018, the Vienna Ball of Sciences will take place for the fourth time. In a media talk Mayor Michael Häupl and the City Councillor for Arts and Science, Andreas Mailath-Pokorny, today explained, why the importance of this  event. Oliver Lehmann, chair of the organizing committee, presented major topics and features of the upcoming Science Ball. Continue reading Media talk at Rathaus →

“Science is generally said to be more content-analytical and therefore a little hostile to life and fun. Well, which other city would be more appropriate to contradict this assumption than Vienna with its time-honored tradition of balls? Viennese style and freely adapted from Max Weber: cool and distant in analysis, passionate in the matter – and Viennese when it comes to parties … “

The sociologist Kenan Güngör sees himself as a German-speaking European with Kurdish-Turkish roots. He is founder of the “Office for Society, Organization and Development – think.difference” in Vienna which advises and accompanies state and non-governmental organisations at federal, state and local level as an consultant and international expert on integration and diversity issues.

Photo: Magdalena Possert

“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