Ten Years Science Slam in Würzburg

What connects tapeworms, the thought processes of a mathematician and quantum particles that live in Würzburg and Schweinfurt at the same time? They all appeared in the entertaining presentations at the best-of edition of the Würzburg Science Slam on Saturday, 8 November 2025. The event celebrated its tenth anniversary in the Z6 lecture theatre building at Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU).

This year's special feature: the anniversary edition was organised in addition to the annual Science Slam. Over the course of two evenings, 14 researchers wowed a total of 1600 spectators with their projects. Seven winners from previous editions performed at the anniversary event and had seven minutes to entertain the audience. The winner was determined by the loudest applause.

The anniversary winner that evening was Professor Hans-Georg Weigand, former JMU Professor of Mathematics Education. With his humorous look into the brain of a mathematician and how it approaches mathematical tasks, he won the favour of the audience.

About Quantum Particles, Angry Birds and Pokémon

The Science Slam was opened by Professor Björn Trauzettel, Head of the JMU Chair of Theoretical Physics IV. He had set himself the task of explaining why quantum mechanical particles have it easier in life. One of the answers: the particles have no scheduling conflicts like humans, as they can be in both Schweinfurt and Würzburg at the same time.

Professor Daniel Kulesz from the Bingen University of Applied Sciences continued on a technical note. The computer scientist's 49 presentation slides showed how to enable non-computer scientists to create their own computer software and optimise its quality. His solution involved giving conventional spreadsheet formats such as Microsoft Office Excel "den Vogel" - german expression for tapping on one's forehead - with reference to the Angry Birds series of games.

Dr. Sebastian Markert, an engineering scientist at the Saarland University of Applied Sciences, also chose to use a video game series as a means of explanation. He used the famous Pokémon for this. He asked himself what actually happens when people close their eyes. Like a Pokémon that suddenly acquires more cutlery in the form of spoons with each new stage of development, the eye moistens itself with a torrent of water the moment it blinks.

Tapeworms Quoting Shakespeare

Paul Pauli, President of the University of Würzburg, addressed the audience after the break. He emphasised how important the science slam format is, especially in times when "more and more doubts about science" are gaining ground. He also addressed JMU's Excellence Strategy. To explain this process, the audience was shown videos produced by the university's press office, which explain the procedure in a low-threshold manner and tailored to students.

Things got more serious with Dr. Julien Bobineau, publicist and member of the management board of the Denkfrabrik Diversität. He discussed racial profiling by the police and how colonial stereotypes are still present in everyday life today. For example, many people probably don't realise that the song "Drei Chinesen auf dem Kontrabass" originated around 1900 and was actually called "Drei Japaner ohne Pass".

Then Charlotte Schwenner went on a flat-share search. It wasn't the science editor who was looking for a new home, but bacteria. Microbes find a cosy home in untidy shared student kitchens, among other places. This poses a particular threat when it comes to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Professor Klaus Brehm, parasitologist at the JMU Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, concluded the evening with a dramatic interlude à la William Shakespeare. However, Brehm's rewritten Hamlet dialogue was not presented by the Danish prince from the play, but by a tapeworm in its host's digestive tract.

Two Science Slams in One Weekend

The two science slams were organised by the Uni Wü Community of the JMU together with the Würzburg-Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences (THWS) and the City of Würzburg. The proceeds from the evenings go towards the Germany Scholarship Programme - which supports talented students who are socially committed alongside their studies. As in previous years, the slams were hosted by Johannes Keppner, JMU alumnus and radio presenter.

“Over the years, it has become clear that the Science Slam is the perfect format for bringing science and the university to society,” says Michaela Thiel, head of the Uni Wü Community. The program thus ensures that the next generation of students is inspired and potentially recruited as future slammers.