AHA - The Science Communication Hub

We share what excites us: the curiosity to keep rediscovering our world and the fascination of delving into its depths. In short: at AHA you will find science for you.

Mission and vision

We build a bridge between science and society by making scientific content accessible, relevant and inspiring for all and inviting dialog.

We envision a world where science is a cornerstone of informed decision-making and collective progress. AHA should play a central role in anchoring science as an integral, trusted and celebrated part of society.

Curiosity - Those who are curious become attentive.

We arouse people's interest and curiosity through exciting and accessible scientific content.

Inspiration - Those who are inspired see new possibilities.

We offer inspiring experiences that promote new ideas and perspectives.

Trust - If you are well informed, you can trust.

We strengthen trust in scientific institutions by emphasizing the relevance of innovative research projects and explaining the working methods of science.

Dialog - Asking questions initiates conversations.

We promote interdisciplinary dialog between society and science and actively initiate social discourse.

Self-competence - Those who are informed can act independently.

We are committed to low-threshold access to scientific information in order to increase the ability to judge, to enable fact-based and responsible action and to strengthen democracy.

Initiative - Those who are enthusiastic become active themselves.

We motivate people to take the initiative and encourage them to proactively engage with science and turn knowledge into action. 

An initiative by

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acatech
acatech - German Academy of Science and Engineering
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acatech

acatech - German Academy of Science and Engineering
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acatech - National Academy of Science and Engineering is the national academy funded by the federal government and Bavaria and the voice of science and engineering in Germany and abroad. The academy advises politics and society on issues relating to the future of technology science and technology policy. Under the patronage of the Federal President, we fulfill our advisory mandate independently, based on facts and oriented towards the common good.

acatech building
© acatech / D. Ausserhofer
Portrait photo of President Wörner and Weber from acatech
© acatech / D. Ausserhofer

Thomas Weber and Jan Wörner

acatech Presidents

"We keep hearing that you have to 'take people with you' when it comes to change, as if you wanted to put people in the back seat. However, change only succeeds when everyone takes an active role in supporting it."

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BAdW
Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities
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BAdW

Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities
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The Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities is the largest, most research-intensive and one of the oldest of the eight state academies in Germany. It conducts innovative long-term research, networks scholars across disciplines and national borders, uses its scientific expertise to influence politics and society, promotes young scientists and is a forum for dialog between science and the public. It includes the Leibniz Supercomputing Center, the Walther Meissner Institute for Low Temperature Research, the Bavarian Research Institute for Digital Transformation (bidt) and the Commission for Bavarian Regional History.

Building of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities
© BAdW / Robert Brembeck
Portrait photo of Prof. Schwaiger of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities
© BAdW / Robert Brembeck

Prof. Dr. Markus Schwaiger

President of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities

"The freedom of science flourishes in a social climate of mutual trust. It is therefore crucial to actively strengthen trust in science. Science communication plays a key role in this. It is particularly important for us to get young people excited about science and research, because they shape the future."

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Deutsches Museum
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Deutsches Museum

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The Deutsches Museum with its branch museums is an outstanding place for science and technology education and for a constructive dialog between science and society. Founded in 1903, it is one of the most traditional and, with 66,000 square meters of exhibition space, largest science and technology museums in the world. Its unique collection of original exhibits makes the Deutsches Museum a leading international location for technical and scientific culture. As one of the largest German research museums of national importance, it is jointly funded by the Free State of Bavaria, the federal government and the federal states and is a member of the Leibniz Association.

Building of the Deutsches Museum
© Alexander Goettert
Portrait photo of Prof. Heckl
Deutsches Museum

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Wolfgang M. Heckl

Director General of the Deutsches Museum

"The Deutsches Museum is committed to science communication. Because only with the help of science can people behave responsibly in an increasingly complex world."

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Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
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Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

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The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, based in Germany, is one of the leading organizations for application-oriented research. It plays a central role in the innovation process - with a research focus on key technologies relevant to the future and the transfer of research results to industry to strengthen our business location and for the benefit of our society. Founded in 1949, the organization currently operates 75 institutes and research facilities in Germany.

Building of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft
Fraunhofer
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
Stefan Obermeier

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka

President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

"Excellent research and its successful transfer to industry is a very important resource for Germany. We also rely on dialog with society, as this allows us to gain valuable insights for our work."

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Helmholtz Munich
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Helmholtz Munich

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We are Helmholtz Munich.

Discovering Future Health.

Our world is constantly changing, with major implications for our health. Common diseases such as diabetes, allergies and lung diseases are rapidly increasing worldwide. At the same time, new diseases are emerging, for example, due to climate change.

We develop solutions for a healthier future. Our cutting-edge research forms the basis for medical innovations. Together with our partners, we accelerate the transfer of our research so that new ideas from our laboratories reach society even faster.

Prof. Matthias H. Tschöp, CEO and Scientific Managing Director of Helmholtz Munich
Matthias Tunger

Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Matthias H. Tschöp

CEO and Scientific Managing Director of Helmholtz Munich

"Munich has the opportunity to become the capital of science communication. There is enormous potential in closer networking between the two universities of excellence and the top research institutions."

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Munich University of Applied Sciences
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Munich University of Applied Sciences

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Munich University of Applied Sciences is one of the most diverse universities of applied sciences in Germany. It is characterized by a broad range of courses, interdisciplinary research, an entrepreneurial attitude and a strong regional network, while at the same time being open to the world. Studying at Munich University of Applied Sciences prepares students to actively shape a changing society through practical and future-oriented teaching.

Prof. Dr. Martin Leitner, President of Munich University of Applied Sciences
© Julia Bergmeister

Prof. Dr. Martin Leitner

President of Munich University of Applied Sciences

"Through our involvement in the network, Munich University of Applied Sciences promotes networking and dialog. In this way, we strengthen the visibility of science and benefit together from new synergies."

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Max Planck Society
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Max Planck Society

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The Max Planck Society, based in Munich, is one of the world's leading research organizations with over 30 Nobel Prize winners. Its 84 Max Planck Institutes conduct basic research in the natural sciences, life sciences, humanities and social sciences. The institutes focus on research areas that are particularly innovative or require a high level of effort. The research results expand the boundaries of knowledge and form the basis for new findings and innovations.

Prof. Dr. Tobias Bonhoeffer, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence

Prof. Dr. Tobias Bonhoeffer

Director at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence & AHA representative for the Bavarian Max Planck Institutes

"AHA creates a communication platform that conveys research results on relevant and current topics in an understandable way, thus promoting dialog between science and society."

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MSCL
Munich Science Communication Lab
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MSCL

Munich Science Communication Lab
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The Munich Science Communication Lab (MSCL) is an initiative of people in research and practice in science communication with the aim of bringing these areas together.

Dr. Bernhard Goodwin, Executive Director of the Munich Science Communication Lab (MSCL)

Dr. Bernhard Goodwin

Munich Science Communication Lab

"We conduct research into science communication. The strengthened network on this topic enables us to gain deeper insights, participate in building a strong community and communicate our findings sustainably."

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SNSB
Bavarian State Natural Science Collections (SNSB)
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SNSB

Bavarian State Natural Science Collections (SNSB)
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The Bavarian State Natural History Collections (SNSB) are among the oldest and largest research collections in the world. For almost 200 years, SNSB scientists have been researching the transformation of the planet in space and time.

Across seven natural history collections specializing in zoology, botany, geology, palaeontology, mineralogy, anthropology and palaeoanatomy, approximately 300 employees preserve, archive and research around 33 million collection items.

With our ten museums in Munich, Bamberg, Bayreuth, Eichstätt, Nördlingen and Nuremberg and the Munich-Nymphenburg Botanical Gardens, we reach around 800,000 visitors every year.

The focal point of SNSB activities in collection, research, and knowledge transfer is the geo- and biosphere change, with a particular focus on mountain systems. Through our national and international research efforts, we significantly contribute to a deeper understanding of geo- and biodiversity as well as the effects of human actions on the Earth's ecosystem.

Stefan Schmidt - SNSB
Helene Tobollik - SNSB

Prof. Dr. Dr. Joris Peters

Director General of the Bavarian State Natural History Collections (SNSB)

"In order to master the challenges of the future, we need to recognize the complex interrelationships in nature - in the past as well as in the present. Natural history collections provide fact-based answers to social questions. Intensifying the dialog between science and society is therefore of the utmost importance."

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TUM
Technical University of Munich
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TUM

Technical University of Munich
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The Technical University of Munich is a global exchange of knowledge. A place where creativity is lived. At TUM, talented people from all over the world come together to inspire each other, learn from each other and create something new together. Our mission? As one of the strongest and most innovative research universities in Europe, we find solutions to the key scientific and social challenges of our time.

Thomas Hofmann, President of the Technical University of Munich
© TUM / Astrid Eckert

Thomas Hofmann

President

"As TUM, it is important to us to strengthen Bavaria as a research location in international competition. To this end, we work closely with other scientific organizations and seek dialogue with the public."

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University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich
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University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich

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Founded in 1973, the university consists of a university department and a university department for applied sciences. The trimester system, short distances within the campus university and individual support for students in small groups enable students to successfully complete their studies in a short space of time. After a standard period of study of 3 years, students obtain a Bachelor's degree; after four years, a Master's degree is possible in intensive study. The degrees are equivalent to those at state universities. Research and teaching at the Bundeswehr University are free, and excellent scientific facilities enable internationally competitive research at a high level.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Eva-Maria Kern, President of the University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich
University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich / Siebold

Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Eva-Maria Kern

President of the University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich

"We expressly support the establishment of the new Science Communication Hub. The dialog between science and society is particularly important in our fast-moving information society. It makes science tangible, accessible and understandable."

FAQ

Communicating complex research results to everyone in a simple and understandable way. An informative website, events and a city-wide festival make research visible and promote dialog between science and society.

Curiosity is the starting point for new insights that often trigger aha moments for young and old alike. The events and offers of the Science Communication Hub aim to convey new insights and thus generate many "aha" moments.

Science provides new insights and offers solutions to challenges. This knowledge must be available to society so that it can shape the future. We envision a world in which science is a cornerstone of informed decision-making and collective progress. 

Our diverse range of services is aimed at people interested in science as well as young people and people who have had little contact with science to date. AHA makes scientific findings and processes accessible and understandable to the general public and invites people to join in. 

Experience and create unforgettable AHA moments with us and make an important contribution to our society! We look forward to hearing from you!