Slammer 2020
Alumna Dr Annemarie Frank, Catholic Theology, LMU Munich
What do you like about the Science Slam format?
What I particularly appreciate about the Science Slam is that it brings together scientists from a wide range of disciplines and that fun and entertainment are at the forefront – we often forget in our everyday university life that science can also be fun!
What will you be talking about?
The Old Testament biblical scholar – the crown of theological creation!
What has been your best experience so far during your time at university?
Well, that’s not an easy question. I’d mention all those moments when you’re suddenly so deeply engrossed in a scholarly discussion with students or colleagues that you forget the world outside and the absurd war of words opens up entirely new perspectives.
André Bauer, Computer Science, University of Württemberg
What do you like about the Science Slam format?
I like the fact that interesting research can be presented in a relaxed and humorous way.
What will you be talking about?
I’ll betalking about the research I’m doing as part of my PhD. I want to show the audience that computer science isn’t boring, give them a glimpse behind the scenes of ‘clouds’, and highlight the associated challenges and complexity.
What has been your best experience so far during your time at university?
It’s hard to pinpointthe best experience, as there are so many lovely memories. For example, I really appreciate the strong sense of camaraderie with my colleagues. We’ve shared many wonderful moments, both at work and in our private lives.
Dr Thorsten Feichtner, Physics, University of Würzburg
What do you like about the Science Slam format?
AScience Slam is science for everyone, mixed with comedy and cabaret. Entertaining knowledge, creative nonsense, all ‘straight from the source’ – what could be better?
What will you be talking about?
I’ll be showing how to mix colours in a completely unusual way, and how this might one day be used to build light computers (that’s the famous ‘scientific subjunctive’).
What has been the best experience so far during your time at university?
Well, that’s incredibly difficult to say; my timeat university has been really lovely overall. I’ll keep it very general: at university, I had the chance to meet the important people in my life.
Prof. Dr Henning Rogge-Pott, Design, FHWS
What do you like about the Science Slam format?
That there are clearly no uninteresting topics, provided they are presented in the right way.
What will you be talking about?
My topic is:
About 7 things I’ve learnt about film as a designer
What has been your best experience so far during your time at university?
Seeing the students in person again, at least for the final presentations, at the end of the last coronavirus semester.
Diego D'Angelo, Philosophy, University of Württemberg
What do you like about the Science Slam format?
Ilike the idea of being able to present my subject in a fun and entertaining way to a wide audience – especially as opportunities like this are far too rare. The friendly atmosphere at previous Science Slam events was also a big plus!
What will you be talking about?
I’ll try to explain what philosophers actually do, in general, but with a particular focus on the Institute of Philosophy in Würzburg. We don’t do everything here, but we do a whole range of different things, most of which the general public rarely notices.
What has been your best experience so far during your time at university?
Oh, there are certainly more than one. But if I have to pick just one, the first thing that springs to mind is when I (back then still at the University of Freiburg) went out for dinner for the first time with other PhD students from the Chair of Theoretical Philosophy. There were ten of us at the table, chatting in German, even though we actually came from ten different countries. Nine of us had learnt German so that we could read philosophy in the original language, and we were able to talk about Kant. But the tenth person, the native speaker, had to explain the brewery’s menu to us!
Dr Anand Krishna, Psychology, University of Würzburg
What do you like about the Science Slam format?
I enjoy research, but I always find it a shame when I can’t share that enjoyment. A Science Slam allows me to do just that – above all, to share the joy of my work with others!
What will you be talking about?
In our research group, we’ve carried out a number of experiments in which we staged and filmed aggressive confrontations (both verbal and physical). From this, we’ve gained insights into how body language in such confrontations influences the perception of the situation – that’s what I’d like to share!
What has been your best experience so far during your time at university?
Working together with my colleagues is what I enjoy most, but that doesn’t really count as a specific experience. So probably the publication of my first academic article after a lot of hard work, struggle and sweat!
Dr Matthias Zimlich, Sports Science, University of Würzburg
What do you like about the Science Slam format?
As a participant, I find the challenge of distilling scientific findings into an entertaining short talk really exciting. As a member of the audience, it’s naturally fascinating to gain an insight into the research and the topics covered by the other participants.
What will you be talking about?
The topic of "eSports". That little "e" is certainly keeping the (sports) world on tenterhooks at the moment.
What has been your best experience so far during your time at university?
There have been many, but the highlights were certainly the visits – including taking part in “local customs” – and spectacular minibus journeys “across the country” in Ukraine as part of an exchange project with the Lviv Polytechnic National University.
Prof. Dr Karsten Kilian, Brand & Media Management, FHWS
What do you like about the Science Slam format?
Learning is easier with a bit of humour. The Science Slam shows that this works, and that 750 interested people are even willing to pay €5 each to attend this ‘spectacle’. It’s going to be fun. It’ll be educational too. And full of life!
What will you be talking about?
The magic of brands!
What do you particularly enjoy about teaching?
Lively students who get involved, are happy to throw in an original interjection now and then, and contribute to exciting discussions on the subject matter that “open our eyes” – both the students’ and mine! I particularly enjoyed a film shoot for “Galileo” (ProSieben) during a lecture two years ago. We used a huge block of frozen fish to re-enact how “Iglo fish fingers” were invented more than 60 years ago. Nobody will ever forget that! And it tasted great too!
