AHA Academy
AHA Academy brings together training opportunities in the field of science communication that are open to all researchers and communicators at AHA institutions. It combines expertise from within the AHA network with that of external experts from various fields of science communication. This creates an exchange of knowledge across institutions. As a result, everyone benefits from the wealth of expertise, different perspectives and methods used within the AHA network.
Participation is generally free of charge and currently only open to researchers and communicators from AHA institutions. Therefore, registrations are only valid if made using an official email address from an AHA institution.
Current offers
Brief description:
This training course is aimed at anyone who wants to communicate scientific topics via social media. Participants will learn which target groups are active on which channels, what types of content there are and why strategic planning and community management are important. Practical tips and best practices are used to teach how posts can be structured and designed.
The aim of the workshop: To reduce fear of contact and impart basic knowledge for communicating scientific content on social media.
The focus is on the Instagram and LinkedIn channels.
Organizer: Munich University of Applied Sciences
Lecturer: Heidi Bundschus, Consultant for cross-media communication/Chef on duty
Target group: People who have little or no experience with social media and would like to manage and communicate on a social media channel in the future. It is particularly about scientific and institutional topics.
Course language: German
Maximum number of participants: 15 people
Brief description:
Artificial intelligence (AI) offers new opportunities for evaluating science communication—from planning to evaluation. In Workshop , we Workshop AI-supported methods hands-on, such as operationalizing goals, developing questions, creating observation sheets, and planning evaluations. We will also test AI in the evaluation of Online or the categorization of visual feedback. In doing so, we will reflect on opportunities and limitations: Which prompts work? How reliable are the results?
The aim of the workshop is to teach participants how to use artificial intelligence responsibly and practically as a tool for evaluating science communication. Participants will learn how AI can be used effectively throughout the entire evaluation process—from planning and data collection to analysis and reporting—while maintaining scientific quality, transparency, and ethical standards.
Speakers:
Monica Déchène (Evaluation Coordinator at the Munich Science Communication Lab LMU) and
Dr. Bernhard Goodwin (Executive Director of Munich Science Communication Lab)
Target group:
The Workshop at people who work in science communication or research it, in particular:
- Communications officers from press offices, universities, and research institutions,
- communicative researchers,
- Individuals in leadership or decision-making roles in science communication who are involved in evaluation,
- as well as researchers in the field of science communication.
Course language: German
Immerse yourself in the world of science communication in a compact format. This multimedia self-study course teaches the basic elements of science communication, introduces key players and roles in the field, and helps you identify successful communication approaches.
Contents:
- What distinguishes internal from external science communication?
- Who are the actors in the field—and how do they interact?
- Which dimensions—target groups, formats, approach—are crucial for successful communication?
In planning
More detailed information on content and registration will follow
About the AHA Academy
AHA – The Science Communication Hub is a space for experimentation and learning in the field of science communication. AHA Academy supports this by offering training courses tailored to current needs and trends in science communication. It covers a broad range of topics and various formats, including workshops, seminars, lectures, training sessions, online courses and discussion groups. The aim is to enable everyone involved in science communication to build up skills sustainably, and to promote networking in this field.
Some of the courses offered by AHA Academy are designed and delivered by experts from AHA institutions ("By AHA – for AHA"), while others are delivered by renowned external experts. They take place at various locations of the network's institutions in the Greater Munich area or are offered online .
Past events
Brief description:
It takes many perspectives to understand and shape the world around us, which is permeated by science and technology. When the interests and values of different social groups are taken into account, controversies can become apparent. For years, science communication has been evolving from purely informational and explanatory formats to opportunities for dialogue: only through dialogue can different perspectives be brought together, and only through dialogue can controversies be negotiated.
What are the opportunities and challenges involved in discussing current and controversial topics? How do dialogue events work? What types of moderation are there in the field of tension between talk shows and consensus conferences? In Workshop , participants Workshop examples of dialogue and receive information and suggestions for designing and conducting their own dialogue events on current topics in science and technology.
Organizer: acatech
Speaker:PD Dr. Marc-Denis Weitze, Head of Communications, Society & Dialogue, acatech
Target group:Members of the AHA network from the communications sector who already moderate or will moderate dialogue events are cordially invited to contribute their input, exchange ideas, and receive updates.
Brief description:
Large language models such as ChatGPT have long been part of everyday life in press offices and communications departments - but what can AI tools really do? In this practice-oriented Workshop , you will learn how to use large language models efficiently with professional prompt technologies and frameworks to achieve the best possible results.
We also reflect on ethical and legal issues surrounding the use of AI and text automation. For all those who want more than just a gimmick - and want to know how AI can be used sensibly in science communication.
Organizer: Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities
Date: 9. and 10.12.2025, 9-13 o'clock
Lecturer: Dr. Caroline Mayer, science journalist/linguist, Akademie der Bayerischen Press
Brief description:
Individuals and society face numerous health challenges - be it infectious diseases, the consequences of heat or chronic illnesses. Many dangers can be limited by adequate preventive measures, such as vaccinations, heat protection or a healthy diet, which is why good communication of the current evidence on risks and prevention and treatment options is a central component of good health care for society. However, good communication of the best medical evidence currently available faces challenges. This often involves complex and changing conceptual information about risks and probabilities, which is difficult to communicate in a comprehensible and understandable way. At the same time, it is important to reach people with very different prior knowledge, needs and lifestyles.
The key to effective health communication is therefore evidence-based strategies that take into account the needs of the target groups as well as the best available scientific evidence on communication strategies in order to enable people to better assess risks and make healthy behaviors a habit. A broad range of stakeholders support science in disseminating this knowledge through expertise and networking in society. At the event, current findings on this topic will be presented and jointly reflected on in a fishbowl debate.
Organizer: LMU
Date: 10.11.2025, 16:00 to 18:00
Lecturers:
Prof. Dr. Constanze Rossmann (LMU, Chair of Communication Science - Focus on Health Communication)
Nora Schmid-Küpke (Vaccination Communication, Robert Koch Institute)
Sigrid März (freelance science journalist, editor and author)
Target group:
Researchers in Munich with an interest in health communication
Students of medicine, public health and life sciences
Students of communication science
Maximum number of participants: 120 people
Brief description:
Stories help us to understand and remember content better. Even with complex topics. This makes storytelling an ideal tool in science communication. In this Workshop , you will learn how the most effective storytelling tools work using practical examples from series, literature and podcasts - and how they can be used in science communication. Participants can bring their own research projects and will be supported in developing a storyboard for their project. After all, good research and a good story often have more similarities than you might think. You just have to recognize them.
Organizer: MSCL
Date: 24. and 31.10.2025, 10:00 - 17:00 each day
Lecturer: André Dér-Hörmeyer, journalist, podcast producer and storytelling consultant for ARD at Bayerischer Rundfunk. André has been awarded the German Podcast Prize, the Axel Springer Prize and the Ernst Schneider Prize for Business Journalism for his storytelling podcast "Wild Wild Web". He focuses on science topics, digital culture and new narrative forms in journalism.
Target group: Scientists with communication ambitions and science communication
Maximum number of participants: 15 persons