Educating, informing and simplifying complex topics – these are the tasks of science communication. As a science centre, we offer a variety of formats: through our Science Talk programme, run in partnership with the Volkswagen Group, we maintain close links with universities. At ‘Meet the Scientist’, young academics have the opportunity to explain their research projects to visitors of all ages in a way that is easy to understand, right here in our exhibition space.
The importance of science communication at the Science Centre lies in the challenge of presenting scientific information in a way that is understandable and relevant to different target groups. We offer experts and early-career researchers a platform for dialogue and a bridge between the scientific community and the public.
Lectures, panel discussions, workshops and tailored programmes for educational institutions provide opportunities for direct exchange.
Free of charge3 September to 1 October 2026
Four evenings, four perspectives: What does AI mean for our society, our health and our everyday lives — and what infrastructure underpins it all? This joint lecture series organised by the Braunschweig Scientific Society (BWG) and the Lower Saxony Academy of Sciences in Göttingen (NAWG) brings leading scientists to phaeno — for insightful perspectives, open questions and genuine dialogue.
One Thursday evening a month at 6.30 pm, the phaeno Science Theatre hosts a high-calibre event on topics from science and technology. Admission is free.
The Science Talk consists of lectures or panel discussions – our aim is to foster dialogue on topics shaping the future, delivering the very best in science communication with the region’s leading researchers. The speakers come to phaeno from regional universities, research institutions and Volkswagen, and are joined by representatives from the world of politics or nationally renowned experts.
The events are offered in a hybrid format, both in person and as a live stream on YouTube, to make them accessible to a wider interested audience outside the region.
| Topic: | Fungi in a New Light – Materials Research at the Intersection of Art and Science |
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| Target audience: | Those interested in science, art lovers, non-specialists and experts |
| Date: | 24 September 2026 |
| Start: | 6.30 pm, doors open from 6.15 pm |
| Cost: | Free |
The Science Talk is organised in partnership with the Volkswagen Group and will be held in a hybrid format – both in person and as a live stream on YouTube – to make it accessible to a wider audience of interested people outside the region.
We look forward to welcoming Dr Henrik-Alexander Christ from Fraunhofer WKI in Braunschweig
| Topic: | Foams and emulsions |
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| Target audience: | People interested in science, non-specialists and experts |
| Date: | 15 October 2026 |
| Start: | 6.30 pm |
| Cost: | Free |
The Science Talk is organised in partnership with the Volkswagen Group and will be held in a hybrid format, both in person and via a live YouTube stream, to make it accessible to a wider audience outside the region.
We look forward to welcoming Prof. Wiebke Drenckhan from the University of Strasbourg
| Topic: | How can we tell when trees are experiencing water stress? |
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| Target audience: | People interested in science, those with an environmental awareness, non-specialists and experts |
| Date: | 29 October 2026 |
| Start: | 6.30 pm, doors open from 6.15 pm |
| Cost: | Free |
The Science Talk is organised in partnership with the Volkswagen Group and will be held in a hybrid format, with an in-person event and a live stream on YouTube, to make it accessible to a wider audience outside the region.
We look forward to welcoming Dr Anne Klosterhalfen and Dr Christina Hackmann from the University of Göttingen
| Topic: | When AI makes mistakes – who is responsible? |
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| Target audience: | People interested in science, critics and AI enthusiasts |
| Date: | 17 December 2026 |
| Start: | 6.30 pm; doors open at 6.15 pm |
| Cost: | Free |
The Science Talk is a collaboration with the Volkswagen Group and will be held in a hybrid format – both in person and as a live stream on YouTube – to make it accessible to a wider audience outside the region.
We look forward to welcoming Dr Kolja Gauer from the University of Magdeburg
| Topic: | The Protein Puzzle: How we defeat infectious agents using our own building blocks. |
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| Target audience: | People interested in science, non-specialists and experts |
| Date: | 27 August 2026 |
| Start: | 6.30 pm, doors open from 6.15 pm |
| Cost: | Free |
The Science Talk is organised in partnership with the Volkswagen Group and will be held in a hybrid format – both in person and via a live YouTube stream – to make it accessible to a wider audience of interested people outside the region.
We look forward to welcoming Dr Maren Schubert from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research
| Topic: | The Tricks of the Animal Kingdom – What we can learn from animals to prevent pandemics. |
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| Target audience: | People interested in science, non-specialists and experts. |
| Date: | 30 July 2026 |
| Start: | 6.30 pm, doors open from 6.15 pm |
| Cost: | Free of charge. |
The Science Talk is organised in partnership with the Volkswagen Group and will be held in a hybrid format – both in person and as a live stream on YouTube – to make it accessible to a wider audience of interested people outside the region.
We look forward to welcoming Prof. Dr Max Kellner from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research
Science Talk: The Tricks of the Animal Kingdom.
| Topic: | Microfluidics and ‘lab-on-a-chip’ |
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| Target audience: | People interested in science, non-specialists and experts |
| Date: | 25 June 2026 |
| Start: | 6.30 pm |
| Cost: | Free |
The Science Talk is organised in partnership with the Volkswagen Group and will be held in a hybrid format, both in person and as a live stream on YouTube, to make it accessible to a wider audience of interested people outside the region.
We look forward to welcoming Prof. Janina Bahnemann from the University of Augsburg
Science Talk: Biotechnology on a micro scale.
| Topic: | Sustainable Construction – 3D Printing and Robotics |
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| Target audience: | People interested in science |
| Date: | 28 May 2026 |
| Start: | 6.30 pm |
| Cost: | Free |
The Science Talk is a collaboration with the Volkswagen Group and will be held in a hybrid format, both in person and as a live stream on YouTube, to make it accessible to a wider audience outside the region.
We look forward to welcoming Prof. Inka Mai from TU Berlin
| Topic: | The Quantum World to Play With – From the Board Game Table to the High-Tech Laboratory |
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| Target audience: | People interested in science |
| Date: | 29 January 2026 |
| Duration: | 6.30 pm |
| Cost: | Free |
The science talk is organised in partnership with the Volkswagen Group and will be held in a hybrid format – both in person and as a live stream on YouTube– to make it accessible to a wider audience outside the region.
We are delighted to welcome Prof. Dr Stefanie Kroker from the Technical University of Braunschweig, Institute of Semiconductor Technology.
The quantum world: get involved!
| Topic: | Circular Cars |
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| Target audience: | People interested in science |
| Date: | 5 March 2026 |
| Duration: | 6.30 pm |
| Cost: | Free |
The Science Talk is organised in partnership with the Volkswagen Group and will be held in a hybrid format – both in person and via a live YouTube stream – to make it accessible to a wider audience of interested people outside the region.
We look forward to welcoming Kristin von Szadkowski from Volkswagen Group Research
| Topic: | What keeps us going when the going gets tough – resilience and self-determination |
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| Target audience: | Those interested in science |
| Date: | postponed to 30 April 2026 |
| Duration: | 6.30 pm |
| Cost: | free |
The Science Talk is organised in partnership with the Volkswagen Group and will be held in a hybrid format, both in person and via a live YouTube stream, to make it accessible to a wider audience outside the region.
We are delighted to welcome Prof. Dr Werner Greve from the University of Hildesheim.
Resilience and self-determination
Science Talks Archive
The Forum at phaeno is a place for dialogue, inspiration and cutting-edge scientific topics, inviting visitors to ask questions, contribute their thoughts and discover new perspectives.
New: Plastics Forum
The new Plastics Forum puts the spotlight on a highly topical issue. It focuses on the future of materials, sustainable solutions and the role of plastics in our everyday lives. Look forward to a varied programme of events that inform, encourage participation and provide food for thought.
Discover the Forum and join in – science comes to life here!
As part of the Volkswagen ‘Meet the Scientist’ initiative, scientists from the region present their research at a ‘research stand’ situated in the centre of the phaeno exhibition. This gives them the opportunity to engage with visitors and, in doing so, gain experience in communicating their work in an accessible way.
In turn, phaeno visitors have the chance to get to know scientists and their projects, which they would normally never come into contact with. The focus is on research groups or PhD students from universities, colleges and research institutions in the region, including Volkswagen Group Research.
The traditional use of cars generally follows a linear principle: produce, use, dispose of. This model is increasingly coming up against environmental and economic limits.
At ‘Meet the Scientist’, research engineers from Volkswagen will provide insights into topics currently being discussed and developed within the industrial sector. You’ll have the chance to ask questions on the spot about the approaches being pursued, the challenges faced and how innovations come about.
On 2 April, we look forward to welcoming Dr Nima Eslami, Dennis Lauterbach and Dr Alexander Harms – from Volkswagen Group Innovation.
| Topic: | Sustainable mobility – the circular economy. |
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| Target audience: | Those interested in science and car enthusiasts |
| Date: | 2 April 2026 |
| Duration: | 10.00 am to 1.00 pm |
| Cost: | Included in the phaeno admission price ‘Meet the Scientist’ is a collaboration with the Volkswagen Group |
Visitors can gain an insight into Volkswagen’s research and understand what actually goes into recycling cars and what is required to do so.
Quantum physics underpins many modern technologies, yet for many people it remains an abstract and difficult concept to grasp. Smartphones, LED lighting, medical devices and navigation systems all rely on quantum physics to function. At the ‘Meet the Scientist’ event at phaeno, the QUANTista project will demonstrate how these complex concepts can be conveyed in a playful way without the need for equations or prior knowledge.
On 2 February, we look forward to welcoming the QUANTista project team – comprising Dr Liam Shelling Neto, Leon Müller, Mara Meinzer and Afonso Alcape Meyer from the Technical University of Braunschweig.
| Topic: | QUANTista – A quantum world to explore |
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| Target audience: | People interested in science, gaming enthusiasts |
| Date: | 2 February 2026 |
| Duration: | 10.00 am to 1.00 pm |
| Cost: | Included in the phaeno admission price ‘Meet the Scientist’ is a collaboration with the Volkswagen Group |
Visitors can try out the card and board games that have been developed, chat to the researchers involved and learn how quantum technologies work, what applications they have and what career paths are associated with them.
QUANTista
Archive: Meet the Scientist
