Science on a bar stool

Cologne's Pint of Science promotes dialogue between researchers and society

Pint of Science, an annual series of events hosted by the scientific community in Cologne, kicked off on May 13th at the Lost Level bar with talks by scientists from diverse backgrounds. These talks were uniquely tailored to the public and were followed by discussions initiated by audience questions. The event continued in two other bars over the following two evenings, bringing more than 200 science enthusiasts into contact with local scientists.

The phrase “Good question! I actually don’t know!” was heard frequently in response to public questions. Along with rediscovering the broader context of their research and how it fits into the bigger picture of our society, the scientists enjoyed the opportunity to step back from the details that occupy their research and rethink the basics.

The Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing was represented by Laura Wester, who spoke about the special aspects of ageing in females, and by Sadig Niftullayev, who introduced the audience to the world of model organisms.

Pint of Science is an international non-profit organization dedicated to hosting festivals that bridge the gap between local researchers and the general public. Through local pubs, bars, cafes, and public spaces, the organization fosters a unique environment where researchers can share and discuss their findings with the community. This year’s events, held from May 13 to May 15, spanned 25 different countries and around 300 cities, including Cologne.