Museum für Naturkunde Berlin: Society and Nature

Overview

Shaping society and nature

The climate crisis, species loss and social inequalities make it clear that our relationship with nature is always a social issue as well. Decisions regarding biodiversity, resources and nature conservation do not arise solely within the scientific community, but through the interplay of politics, public opinion and everyday life.

The Society and Nature science programme investigates these interrelationships. We explore how knowledge about nature is generated, how it is utilised in society, and how this leads to the capacity for action.

Our approach

Our work is based on a central premise: science realises its impact through dialogue with society. This gives rise to three interconnected areas of activity:

Generating knowledge together

We develop and explore participatory research formats in which different social groups are actively involved in the production of knowledge.

Making knowledge accessible

We investigate how scientific findings can be made understandable, tangible and accessible – through exhibitions, educational formats and digital offerings.

Making knowledge effective

We analyse how scientific findings are incorporated into political and societal decision-making processes and develop approaches to strengthen this impact.

Our research aims to:

to incorporate scientific knowledge into societal decisions
to strengthen trust in science through transparency and participation
to broaden participation in research
establish new forms of collaboration between science, politics and society
creating long-term structures for open and responsible research

We combine scientific methods with practical implementation. This includes:

participatory research approaches
Educational and visitor research
citizen science
Science-policy analyses
Development and evaluation of participatory formats

Management

Dr Susanne Hecker
Head of Science Programme
Email: susanne.hecker@mfn.berlin

Uwe Moldrzyk
Deputy Head of Science Programme
Email: Uwe.Moldrzyk@mfn.berlin

Besuchende betrachten während der Langen Nacht der Wissenschaften erstmals den noch unfertigen Ausstellungssaal und die ausgelagerten Objekte der Vogelsammlung, bevor sie mit dem Ausstellungsteam ins Gespräch kommen.

Department

Exhibitions and Education

Education, learning and experiential spaces in museums

Zwei Frauen befestigen Fotos und Notizzettel an einer Pinnwand, die mit roten Linien Themen wie Konsum, Recycling und Globalisierung miteinander verknüpft.

Department

Public Science

Participation, knowledge infrastructures and science policy

The Evolution of Museums

Knowledge transfer

As part of our museum’s evolution, we are adapting our building for the 21st century, making our collection accessible and digitising it. Building on this, we are developing formats that make research visible, enable participation and further develop knowledge in collaboration with society. In this way, we are strengthening the dialogue between science, politics and the public, and transforming the museum into an open, connected space for research and learning.

The Knowledge Transfer sub-project also responds to changing conditions in the handling of knowledge. The climate crisis, species loss and dwindling trust in scientific institutions require new forms of knowledge transfer. To this end, the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin brings together research, the collection and society, fostering transparency, participation and guidance.