An initiative to strengthen science communication in Bavaria

Fact-based science communication is more important than ever. In times of increasing fake news, scientific processes and results must be communicated competently, reliably and comprehensibly. With a technically sound, credible and, last but not least, entertaining presentation of scientific topics, misinformation can be corrected and the contributions of science to solving societal challenges can be highlighted.

The greater Munich area is home to excellent universities and colleges, museums and research institutions covering all scientific fields. However, there has long been a lack of joint coordination of science communication activities between these institutions. This is precisely where the initiative to strengthen science communication, founded in 2024, comes in.

Networking, bundling, raising awareness

AHA – The Science Communication Hub connects science communication stakeholders in Munich and pools the communication activities of the participating institutions with a joint presence. The initiative brings together the expertise of the partner institutions, raises the profile of science communication activities locally and nationally, and highlights the social relevance of research findings. The BAdW is part of this important initiative.

The hub strengthens science communication and public engagement in science in Bavaria, thereby building a bridge between science and society. This is essential for a vibrant democracy and for economic development in the Free State. In the future, the initiative will not be limited to Munich, but may expand to cover the whole of Bavaria.

Dialogue, competence building, research and evaluation

The initiative's activities can be divided into three areas of action. In the area of ‘dialogue and interaction’, AHA bundles existing offerings aimed at the general public. In addition, AHA supports the participating institutions in designing new activities to promote dialogue and interaction between science and society.

The area of ‘competence building’ is aimed at actors in science communication, such as researchers, communicators and media professionals. It facilitates networking and the exchange of experiences and offers cross-institutional training and further education opportunities to contribute to the sustainable development of knowledge in the field of science communication.

The ‘Research and Evaluation’ section provides scientific support and evaluation of the effectiveness of communication activities. AHA – The Science Communication Hub sees itself as a learning and experimentation space for testing new approaches and aims to contribute to the further development and quality assurance of science communication.

The following organisations are currently part of the initiative (as of January 2026):

• acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering
• Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities
• Deutsches Museum
• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
• Helmholtz Munich
• HM Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences
• LMU München 
• Max Planck Society
• Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns
• Technical University of Munich
• University of the Bundeswehr Munich

Contact

The Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities coordinates the initiative’s activities with a new executive department. 

Dr. Christoph Egle 
Head of Research
AHA – The Science Communication Hub
c/o Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
Alfons-Goppel-Str. 11 (Residenz)
80539 Munich
Germany

E-mail: christoph.egle@aha.bayern 
Phone: +49 (0)89 23031-1378

Further information: aha.bayern/en/