A series of warm-up events forms the preliminary program for this year’s International Science Festival – Geist Heidelberg. On Tuesday, October 8, at 8 p.m., virologist Hendrik Streeck will analyze the past corona pandemic and its consequences for our society. On Friday, October 11, at 8 p.m., biologist Josef H. Reichholf will take a closer look at the evolutionary history of humans and present the latest research findings on the question of what humans actually are and why they fail to behave in a future-oriented manner. On Thursday, October 17, at 8 p.m., the well-known psychiatrist Manfred Spitzer will explain the extent to which artificial intelligence is already superior to humans and the dangers this poses for the future.

 

Here you can find the entire festival program from October to December 2024.

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Here we go again! The 14th International Science Festival Geist Heidelberg takes place this year from October 18th to December 17th. We will be featuring distinguished national and international speakers from the world of science– including four Nobel Prize winners, popular science communicators and promising young researchers. With their help, we will discuss, debate, and disclose pressing issues of our time while presenting the latest findings on topics ranging from neuroscience, astrophysics, biology, philosophy all the way to artificial intelligence.

Don’t miss our kick-off lecture with Patrick Cramer, President of the Max Planck Society and talks by Nobel Prize winners Venki Ramakrishnan, Benjamin List, Christiane Nüsslein-Volhardt and Aaron Ciechanover. As we strive to democratize scientific knowledge, be sure to listen to science communicators Harald Lesch, Mai Thi Nguyen Kim, Lucy Cooke and many more!

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The brochure with all events of the International Science Festival – Geist Heidelberg is now available for you as an online brochure. Secure your tickets for your personal highlights now.

Here is a small insight into the extensive program:

On November 12, the philosopher and deputy chairman of the German Ethics Council, Julian Nida-Rümelin, will discuss the effects of cancel culture and its significance for democracy in today’s world. He pleads for independent thinking and tolerating other opinions.

John C. Mather, astrophysicist, Nobel laureate and project manager of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, will provide insights into his award-winning research on space and open up new perspectives on the universe on November 16 at 8 pm.

On December 3, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, human rights activist and lawyer Shirin Ebadi will give a lecture in the Neue Aula of Heidelberg University as part of the three-day Empathy Conference. In it, she will discuss the ongoing protests against the Iranian regime since 2022, especially by Iranian women, and how we can provide support from the outside.

Browse through now and discover many more exciting events.

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The three-day Empathy Conference from December 01 to 03 is characterized by strong women: U.S. writer Siri Hustvedt, renowned sociologist Eva Illouz and the Peace Nobel laureate and human rights activist Shirin Ebadi will address the topic of empathy from different perspectives. Tickets are now available online.

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Advance ticket sales for all events of the 13th International Science Festival – Geist Heidelberg are now open.
Secure your tickets for your personal highlights today at DAI-Ticketshop or at all known Reservix advance booking offices.
We are looking forward to an exciting festival autumn with illustrious guests and lively discussions.

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From black holes and climate change to AI and ChatGPT.

On Thursday, July 20, 2023, starting at 1 p.m., the German-American Institute (DAI) Heidelberg will launch advance ticket sales for its 13th International Science Festival – Geist Heidelberg. From October 8th to December 15th, 2023, high-caliber speakers from the national and international scientific community – including five Nobel laureates, well-known science journalists, and talented young researchers – will discuss the pressing issues of our time, present the latest findings around key topics such as artificial intelligence, digitization, neuroscience, biology, climate change, and astrophysics, and discuss their relevance to society together with audiences.

The Nobel laureates
The science festival will start with a lecture by Nobel laureate Kip Thorne on black holes and gravitational waves on Sunday, October 8th, at 5 pm.

In addition, three more Nobel Prize winners will be making guest appearances at the DAI, all within the span of a week! Astrophysicist John C. Mather will trace the success story of the James Webb Space Telescope on Thursday, November 16th, at 8 pm. Biochemist Aaron Ciechanover will explore the interaction between bioethics and medicine on Saturday, Nov. 18th, at 8 p.m., and on Tuesday, Nov. 21st at 8 p.m., chemist Ben L. Feringa presents his award-winning molecular machines.

Well-known science journalists
How AI is transforming humanity and the planet will be discussed by science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar on Friday, Nov. 3rd, at 8 p.m. Star philosopher Richard David Precht will also touch on the same subject on Monday, Dec. 4th, at 8 p.m. Astrophysicist Harald Lesch will speak on Friday, November 10th, at 8 p.m., focusing on “Nature and Freedom” in the context of climate change.

Additional highlights
The renowned evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins will be our guest on Saturday, November 11th, at 8 p.m., with his lecture “Fancy for Science.” Henner Gimpel and Robert Lepenies will discuss the controversial chatbot, ChatGPT, and its societal implications, on Thursday, November 2nd, at 8 p.m., and Wednesday, November 15th, at 8 p.m., respectively. Biologist Michael Succow and forest scientist Lutz Fähser will discuss climate change and its impact on our forests – especially near Heidelberg – on Sunday, November 5th, at 5 pm. On Sunday, November 12th, at 5 p.m., we will discuss the phenomenon of Cancel Culture and its impact on our democracy with renowned philosopher Julian Nida-Rümelin. On Wednesday, December 6th, at 8pm, ESA Director Günter Hasinger will explain why the history of the universe is currently being rewritten in light of new research findings.

Taking place from December 1st to December 3rd, strong, inspiring women will lead the three-day Empathy Conference: American writer Siri Hustvedt, renowned sociologist Eva Illouz, and Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights activist, Shirin Ebadi, will address the topic of empathy from unique perspectives.

Tickets & Info
The entire festival program and tickets are available online at dai-heidelberg.de and at certified Reservix advance booking offices.

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Here you can find the programs of the last years of the International Science Festival – Geist Heidelberg. Flip through and review past highlights!

Brochure 2022

Brochure Geist Heidelberg 2021

Brochure Geist Heidelberg 2019

Brochure Geist Heidelberg 2018

Brochure Geist Heidelberg 2017

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50 events, 4 Nobel Prize winners: Sir Paul Nurse, Sir Richard Roberts, Reinhard Genzel and William Philips were our guests. Rarely has a Science Festival had such a top-class line-up. It was a great event, which this year fortunately could again take place on site at the DAI with our esteemed audience. Many thanks to all who attended and contributed to the lively exchange. See you next year.

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The 12th International Science Festival – Geist Heidelberg came to an end on 15. December 22 with a brilliant finale.
We look back with pride on around 50 events, four great Nobel Prize winners, numerous brilliant experts from the world of science, and a lively exchange with you – our loyal and enthusiastic audience – on the pressing issues of our time. We can hardly wait to invite you to Geist Heidelberg for the 13th time next fall. See you at the DAI.

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Prof. Dr. Eckart Würzner
Patron Geist Heidelberg 2022 – Lord Mayor of Heidelberg

From the German:
Science and discourse are two of the most important cornerstones of our knowledge city Heidelberg. For 12 years now, the International Science Festival – Geist Heidelberg has combined both at the highest level. It is firmly established at the German-American Institute and fits perfectly into our knowledge-driven, discourse-friendly urban society. It is also known far beyond the borders of the region throughout Germany through its online offerings.

National and international stars from science and research discuss the most important topics of our time together with the Heidelberg audience. They range from climate change to brain research and genetic engineering. We can all look forward to lectures and discussions with experts such as Vinton Cerf, Ursel Fantz, Peter Sloterdijk and Sir Paul Nurse.

It is events like Geist Heidelberg that help us to see through confusing times. In contact with the renowned speakers at the festival, we can re-sort the enormous challenges of our time for ourselves and advance solutions together. Topics such as migration, artificial intelligence or sexual diversity are as much a part of the program as complex thinking and the protection of our forests.

We have the dedicated team at the DAI to thank for this high-quality offering. For this, many thanks and my greatest appreciation.

Dear participants of the festival, I wish you exciting insights, enriching discussions and much pleasure.

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