This article highlights ETH Zurich’s presence in Berlin for the 10th edition of Berlin Science Week. With a strong delegation made up of faculty, staff and members of the Executive Board and ETH Domain, the visit offered an opportunity to meet with local alumni, make new connections, and engage in discussions on how science can help us overcome today’s mounting challenges and create fresh opportunities for the future.

Berlin Science Week is an annual science and culture festival that transforms the city into a hub of ideas every November. Launched in 2016 to make Berlin’s research landscape globally visible, it has grown into one of Europe’s leading science festivals, featuring over 300 events and 120 partner institutions. The festival brings science out of traditional spaces and into the public sphere, offering free talks, workshops, exhibitions, and performances for everyone—from researchers to curious minds.

Satellites, Science, and Society

At the Swiss Embassy in Berlin, hosted by long-time supporter and friend of ETH, Ambassador Livia Leu, the event “Blick aus dem All – Wie Satelliten unseren Planeten lesen” brought together three distinct voices: Verena Griess (ETH Zurich), Carolin Richter (German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport), and Holger Wentscher (Beyond Gravity). Moderated by Chris Luebkeman from ETH Strategic Foresight, they offered a unique perspective on how satellite technology is reshaping our understanding of Earth.

Verena highlighted how combining satellite, drone, and sensor data enables us to monitor forests and ecosystems with unprecedented precision—revealing climate impacts and guiding sustainable management. Carolin discussed the complexities of international cooperation, the politics of data access, and the urgent need for updated global standards as satellite data becomes ever more vital for biodiversity and climate policy. Holger addressed the industry’s drive for sustainable and independent European space access, sharing insights into greener rocket technologies and the importance of collaboration across research, policy, and business.

The panel underscored both the promise and the challenges of “reading” our planet from above: innovation thrives when science, policy, and industry work together, but it also demands ongoing dialogue and global cooperation. The discussion also highlighted how important it is to bridge academia with industry and politics in order to inspire and motivate future generations of students in fields such as aerospace. As one of the world’s top ten universities in technology and natural science, ETH has a leading role to play in this effort.

Taking the Local Pulse with ETH Alumni

At an informal breakfast gathering the next day, members of the ETH delegation joined local ETH Alumni in Berlin for discussions on their experiences and journeys after ETH. Organised by ETH Circle Member Georg Polzer, it was a friendly dialogue on current affairs and some of the topics under discussion at Berlin Science Week in general, as well as a way to check in with the ETH community onsite.

Rethinking Digital Identity

The “Beyond Avatars” panel at the unique Musikbrauerei venue invited our speakers to imagine what comes after today’s digital characters. The conversation centred on trust, ethics and cognition in a future where identity can be simulated and intelligent systems become part of everyday life.

The discussion featured Joanna Bryson (Hertie School), Henning Metzmacher (ETH Game Technology Center) and Rafael Wampfler (ETH Zurich), and was moderated by Chris Luebkeman (ETH Strategic Foresight). Together, they explored how digital beings might evolve beyond simple visual replicas to become emotionally aware and ethically designed companions.

Audience curiosity was palpable, with questions pushing the boundaries of what “presence” means in virtual spaces. The session highlighted how fast this field is moving—and the responsibility that comes with shaping it.

To close, participants experienced interactive demos from ETH Zurich’s Game Technology Center, including the digital representation of ETH Professor and Director of DisneyResearch|Studios Markus Gross, a virtual biographer tool and Digital Einstein, offering a glimpse into personalised, embodied AI experiences that go far beyond avatars.

At the end of our stay, I asked Jürg Brunnschweiler, Chief of Staff of the Office of the President of ETH Zurich, why we go back to Berlin Science Week year after year. He told me a unique set of factors come together to make this one we cannot miss: the proximity to Zurich, the excellent relationship we have with the organisers, and that it is one of maybe two such science festivals worldwide. My first time attending left me with the impression that the local guests were both curious and engaged in a way that makes it very rewarding for us, ETH colleagues and researchers, to come and exchange and maybe get new perspectives from a familiar but different audience. The Q&A sessions sparked some of the most insightful moments and the conversations were lively and thought-provoking. I warmly encourage members of the ETH community to plan to join Berlin Science Week 2026 if they have the opportunity!

Our current agricultural and food systems are challenged to sustain a growing world population. The world population is estimated to increase to around 9.7 B people by 2050. Today, 55% of the world’s population lives in urban areas, which is expected to increase to 68% by 2050.

• Food systems are among the largest drivers of anthropogenic climate change.
• They foster climate change and cause the Earth’s systems to transgress beyond their planetary boundaries.
• Resource intense agricultural systems have caused water scarcities, soil depletion, and high levels of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
• Food systems have contributed to biodiversity loss and interfere with global phosphorous and nitrogen cycles

Those trends urge us to RETHINK our traditional food systems to adapt to those challenges and to ensure food security. RETHINKING to foster a transition towards more climate-smart, resilient agri-food systems. New systems, that are based on holistic approaches encompassing technological innovation coupled to novel resources and circular economy approaches.

Embarking on the journey of “RETHINKING Urban Agriculture” during the Berlin Science Week was no small feat. The anticipation of delving into the diverse opinions, thoughts, and impressions of individuals residing in an urbanized setting like Berlin was both exciting and thought-provoking. Little did I know that this exploration would lead to a captivating experience that expanded my perspective on sustainable food production.

In January 2022, my path led me to Singapore, where I took on the role of leading the “Urban Microalgae Protein” Project at the Singapore ETH Center. The context of Singapore as a highly urbanized nation importing 90% of its nutritional needs underscored the urgency of innovative solutions. With a goal to boost domestic food production to 30%, Singapore faces the challenge of limited land, with only 1% dedicated to agriculture. The imperative is clear: invest in alternative food production methods that are independent of arable land, sustainable, and resilient. Exploring single-cell-based value chains, such as microalgae and vertical farming, emerged as viable options for Singapore. While such approaches might seem futuristic, they prove relevant for future food provision when considering the environmental impact of human activities and the potential effects of climate change on our food systems.

Berlin Science Week became a pivotal platform, offering intriguing insights and answers to crucial questions surrounding planetary health, regeneration, and the future of food production in urbanized environments.

The first panel, “RETHINKING Regeneration,” featuring Josephine Graf, Prof. Ralph Mueller, and Prof. Johann Rockstroem, set an inspiring tone. The interconnections between bone regeneration, coral reef restoration, and planetary health unveiled a resounding message: “The time to act is NOW.”

The subsequent panel on “RETHINKING Urban Agriculture” did not disappoint. Witnessing the enthusiastic response and curiosity surrounding novel protein resources, particularly from cellular agriculture, left a lasting impression. The shared commitment of the audience to drive change was evident, as individuals from diverse backgrounds, including an architect, an urban hunter, and a scientist, united with a common vision. Each contributor played a vital role in raising awareness about our food system, adding pieces to the puzzle of creating a more sustainable and future-proof food supply.

In essence, the Berlin Science Week proved to be a treasure trove of insights. If you find yourself in Berlin at the right time, this event is undoubtedly a must-add to your bucket list, offering a glimpse into the innovative and transformative world of RETHINKING the state-of the art to propel innovative solutions.

Watch the full recordings: