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Marsilius-Kolleg Young Marsilius Fellows: Science (in) Crises? The Role of Science in Society

  • Thursday, 16 July 2026, 10:00 - 17:30
  • Marsilius-Kolleg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.1, 69120 Heidelberg

    The current class of Young Marsilius Fellows invite researchers, students, and the public to attend the interdisciplinary symposium “Science (in) Crises? The Role of Science in Society: Past, Present, and Future”. Bringing together perspectives from the natural sciences and the humanities, the symposium examines the evolving relationship between science and society in times of uncertainty, highlighting science’s role in addressing global crises alongside its own challenges of trust, legitimacy, and communication. The program brings together perspectives on the historical development and future role of science in the form of keynotes, a poster session, and an interactive negotiation workshop simulating a council meeting on a climate-related challenge, emphasizing the value of interdisciplinary approaches for collective decision-making. 

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    Program

    09:45 | Registration, Predrinks, Welcome

    10:00 | Opening Remarks by the Directors of the Marsilius Kolleg

    10:10 | YMF Self-Introductions

    Part 1 | What Is Science Good For in Times of Crisis?

    10:30 | A Perspective from the Humanities (chair: YMF Joachim Brenner)

    • Keynote: Jonas Grethlein (Classics)
    • Response by YMF Martin Würtz (Molecular Biology)
    • Open-Floor Discussion

    11:30 | Coffee break

    11:45 | A Perspective from the Life and Natural Sciences (chair: YMF Ann-Christin Pfeifer)

    • Keynote: Rohini Kuner (Pharmacology)
    • Response by YMF Edmund Yeboah (Global Health)
    • Open-Floor Discussion

    12:45 | Lunch break

    Part 2 | Diving Deeper: Experiencing the Value and Limits of Science in Crisis

    13:45 | Science in Action: A Social Simulation

    15:15 | Coffee break

    Part 3 | Addressing Current Crises: Practical Challenges for Science (Communication)

    15:30 | Panel Discussion with

    • Prof. Dr. Claudia Denkinger (Infectious Diseases/Global Health, Heidelberg University)
    • Martin Ensering (Science Journalist, Science Magazine)
    • Dr. Max Jungmann (Political Science, Heidelberg Center for the Environment)

    17:00 |YMF 2025-26: Retrospective & Outlook

    Poster

    Tabelle

    Science (in) Crises? The Role of Science in Society: Past, Present, and Future

    English