A hitchhiker’s guide to social robots: SCIoI member Anna Lange at the Science Slam of the Berlin Clusters of Excellence at Berlin Science Week 2024

By: Press Team

Every year, Berlin Science Week transforms the city into a vibrant festival of scientific ideas, exploration, and experimentation. From 1 to 10 November, 2024, the festival once again brought together thousands of minds under the theme “COMMON GROUND”, reminding us all that science has the unique power to bridge divides, foster dialogue, and bring people together. The city buzzed with curiosity as participants tackled some of the world’s most pressing challenges, highlighting the role of science in building a more inclusive and cooperative global society.

Amidst the excitement, one event stood out for its humor, heart, and energy: the Battle of the Brains: The Ultimate Science Slam Edition. This much-loved tradition, hosted by Berlin’s seven Clusters of Excellence (SCIoI, MATH+, UniSysCat, SCRIPTS, Neurocure, Temporal Communities, Matters of Activity) transforms complex research into lively and entertaining performances. Researchers brought their work to life with everything from costumes and props to experimental setups, vying for the audience’s applause and the coveted title of best science slammer.

For Science of Intelligence (SCIoI), cluster member Anna Lange joined the stage. With her talk, “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Social Robots”, Anna captivated the audience by diving into the fascinating world of human-robot interactions. Anna’s performance was a delightful mix of humor and heartfelt storytelling, as she brought the world of social robots to life. She didn’t just talk about robots; she invited the audience to imagine a future where these machines understand our emotions, adapt to our quirks, and become companions in ways we never thought possible. Her energy was infectious, and her ability to make complex ideas feel personal and relatable had everyone leaning in. Anna explored the delicate balance between technical innovation and human emotion, showing how social robots could become trusted companions or collaborators in our daily lives. Her ability to weave together the profound and the playful left the audience inspired and cheering.

Watch SCIoI member Anna Lange's performance at the Science Slam 2024

The evening was filled with other remarkable performances from researchers across Berlin’s Clusters of Excellence, spanning topics like mathematics, neuroscience, and materials science. This years’ winner of the Science Slam, Alice Podestà from cluster Neurocure, talked about the complexities of epilepsy and how she works on brain matter. For the full video of the event, visit our youtube channel.

Events like this remind us of why we do what we do. Berlin Science Week, and particularly the Science Slam, is not only about sharing knowledge; it’s also about building bridges—between disciplines, cultures, and people. It’s about making science accessible, personal, and even a little bit magical.

As the applause faded and the evening came to a close, we felt incredibly proud of Anna and the warmth, intelligence, and creativity she brought to the stage. Her performance embodied the spirit of SCIoI and Berlin Science Week: finding common ground through the wonder of discovery.

Impressions from the Slam:

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