The Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MfN) is proud to be a partner in the newly funded Cluster of Excellence ImmunoPreCept, which receives multi-million euro support through Germany’s Excellence Strategy. The research initiative focuses on the earliest stages of disease development and novel strategies to restore health – and breaks new ground by integrating societal engagement and science communication research at its core.
As part of the consortium, the MfN will lead a pioneering research strand on public engagement and research impact. The aim is to explore how meaningful public participation contributes not only to societal benefit, but also to the quality and direction of scientific research.
“Public engagement is not just about communication – it is a powerful source of insight, reflection, and shared responsibility,” says Dr. Mhairi Stewart, who leads the initiative at the Museum. “Within the Cluster, we will establish an interdisciplinary research program that investigates the value of engagement – with robust methods, inclusive practices, and global relevance.”
The program will explore five key areas:
- Resilience of science communication: How can engagement build public trust and counter misinformation?
- Value of engagement for researchers: What insights and transferable skills do researchers gain through dialogue with society?
- Responsibility and ethics: What legal and societal perceptions of responsibility shape debates about health and research?
- Patient-led research insights: How can lived experiences inform scientific practice and policy?
- Citizen science and health advocacy: How can citizen-generated data contribute to public health research and action?
Through this unique approach, the MfN not only contributes to the scientific success of ImmunoPreCept but also helps establish a long-term interdisciplinary platform – the Berlin Hub for Science and Society – for inclusive, impact-driven research that connects science with society in transformative ways.