THE GLOBAL PLATFORM FOR SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT

OUR MISSION

Falling Walls Engage is the global platform for Science Engagement, hosted by the Falling Walls Foundation in cooperation with the Robert Bosch Stiftung. Our mission is to inspire and connect creative individuals and organisations who actively involve the public with science to generate mutual benefits for science and society all around the world.

Our core vision is that a better understanding and public involvement in science can help tackle global societal challenges through fact-based decision-making, and contribute to the overall wellbeing of our society. Launched in 2018, our programme provides visibility to Science Engagement projects involving the public in creative and impactful ways. We facilitate discourse and commitments in the field, and create unique opportunities for exchange and collaboration among practitioners and institutions.

WHAT IS SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT?

We define Science Engagement as activities, events, or interactions bridging the gap between science and society to generate mutual learning and mutual benefits, and belonging to the spectrum between public engagement in science and science communication. Engagement is per definition a two-way process with the goal to shape and co-create scientific process together, to promote active involvement of the public and researchers in scientific knowledge production.

At Falling Walls Engage we seek participatory formats of all levels: from co-productive research and public panels to arts-driven or entertaining approaches – the common ground is the inclusion of and impact on all sides involved.

THE ENGAGE COMMUNITY WORLDWIDE

The Falling Walls Engage community is a dynamic international network made up of former Falling Walls Finalists, partner organisations and events participants. The community takes part in activities all year round, with a focus on co-learning, cross-sectoral exchange and knowledge transfer. These physical and digital events are a unique opportunity for Science Engagers to compare experience from different regional contexts, formulate common challenges, and build intercultural and interdisciplinary synergies.

FALLING WALLS SCIENCE SUMMIT 2021

After a fully digital Falling Walls Conference 2020, Falling Walls looks forward to hosting the first in-person event that reunites the science community internationally. The Falling Walls Science Summit will taking place over three days of exciting events, debates and encounters from 7-9 November 2021, gathering people who are finding solutions to the greatest challenges of our time.

The Falling Walls Engage Finale will take place as part of the Falling Walls Pitches on 7 November, both in-person and livestream. We are looking forward to welcoming 20 inspiring Falling Walls Engage Winners who will pitch their project onstage in front of an international audience to compete for the title of Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year in the Science Engagement category.

On 9 November, the Breakthroughs of the Year in 10 categories – including in Science Engagement – will converge during the Falling Walls grand finale on the anniversary of the historic fall of the Berlin Wall.

Meet the 20 Falling Walls Engage Winners and 50 Finalists for 2021 here, and discover our past Winners here.

ENGAGE HUBS, EVENTS AND FORMATS

THE FALLING WALLS ENGAGE HUBS

To further Science Engagement worldwide, Falling Walls Engage has launched independent network nodes worldwide – the Falling Walls Engage Hubs – to connect the local and regional scientific community with the global Falling Walls community. The Hubs are an open format with a regional focus which translate into a series of events, conferences and workshops addressing specific topics in Science Engagement.

International Year of Science Engagement (IYSE) IN 2025

With the International Year of Science Engagement (IYSE), the Falling Walls Foundation hopes to inspire and empower people across the globe with knowledge, tools, and platforms designed to widely share their know-how, skills, and experiences. It will provide the interactive space in which the citizens of the world can engage with science and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

This global initiative aiming to take place in 2025 will build the momentum necessary to engage more voices and more minds with science and showcase its opportunities and contributions directly. It will equip the international community with relevant tools and engage scientists worldwide with diverse stakeholders and the public to build consensus, test solutions, and enable change.

Find more information about this initiative on the IYSE website.

COMMITMENTS TO ACTION

With a focus on long-term outcomes, Commitments to Action (CtA) are an opportunity for Science Engagers to address a specific challenge and increase impact in Science Engagement. Open in format and collaborative, Commitments to Action serve as a ground for concrete action among supportive peers.

PODCAST

​‘As a scientist, communicator or creator, you know what makes science fascinating. Or do you?’ In the podcast ‘The Science Engage in You‘, we explore the work of scientists who are weaving creative dialogue with non-scientists around them. ‘The Science Engager In You’ is a podcast from scientists to science professionals, educators and curious minds who believe in the power of openness for positive change. We talk about everything human in Science Engagement – successes, failures and faith – and how you never accomplish anything without curiosity and doubt.

NEW COMMUNITY FORMATS

We are continuously working on new and exciting formats and channels to fulfill our mission and further spread the importance of Science Engagement around the globe. Most of our endeavours are directly supported and co-created by many individuals from our valued global community of Science Engagers.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us, if you would like to partner up, host an Engage community event or have an idea we should talk about: contact the Falling Walls Engage team via engage@falling-walls.com. 

NEWSLETTER

To get all the latest news about Falling Walls Engage, you can subscribe to our newsletter. Please send us an email with your request to engage@falling-walls.com.