hei_INNOVATION accompanies “Science Slam: Ethics Edition” with creative workshops

July 16, 2025
published by hei_INNOVATION

On July 8, 2025, the ‘Science Slam - The Ethics Edition’ took place in Marstallcafé at Heidelberg University. The evening focused on ethical issues from various disciplines - prepared and presented by students in an entertaining live event. hei_INNOVATION supported the event as a cooperation partner and held two preparatory workshops with the participants in advance. The aim was to support the slammers in communicating their scientific content creatively and effectively - a goal that was realised with a great response.

A total of nine students from Medicine, Political Science, English Studies, Theology, Law, Asian and Transcultural Studies and Philosophy presented their topics in a pointed and audience-orientated manner. The evening was moderated by Nadia Primc (Faculty of Medicine) and Dennis Dietz (Heidelberg School of Education). The contributions addressed a variety of current topics - including doctors in social media, children's suffrage, gender roles, artificial intelligence, legal and medical ethics issues and the return of colonial cultural artefacts. The large audience response and lively atmosphere emphasised the social relevance of ethical discourse.

In the run-up to the event, hei_INNOVATION organised two workshops to enable participants to prepare specifically for their performance. The first workshop taught the basics of science slams - from linguistic and performative aspects to interactive exercises and creative methods such as the use of Lego to visualise complex content. The second workshop focussed on individual performance: students were able to rehearse their slams, receive professional feedback and develop their stage presence. The aim was to turn the participants into confident, practised and expressive presenters - a goal that was impressively achieved. The hei_INNOVATION team was suitably impressed by the convincing and creative performance of the slammers on stage.

The slam was also one of the first publicly visible activities of the future Ethics Centre at Heidelberg University, which is planned to be founded in autumn 2025. The aim of the centre is to make ethical issues more visible across disciplines and promote dialogue between academia and society. Together with Heidelberg Student Services, hei_INNOVATION supported the successful implementation of the format.