Ivona Brandić is the 500th science ambassador

As “science ambassadors”, 500 researchers are now involved in schools across Austria. They give the students an exciting insight into their work, promote understanding of scientific methods and rain for critical thinking. The aim of the initiative is to sustainably strengthen trust in science and democracy. It is implemented by Austria’s educational agency OEAD.

Science Minister Holzleitner is pleased with the positive response: “In order to strengthen the trust in science and thus also in an essential pillar of democracy, we need the personal dialogue between research and society. Special thanks go to all 500 ambassadors: In addition to their research and teaching, there are time to exchange ideas with children and adolescents and thus contribute to the breakdown of science. enable these encounters relevant to democracy. ”

Increasing interest in science and schools
The demand on the part of the schools, but also the number of committed researchers, has risen rapidly in the past two years: in 2024, more than 360 school visits were held throughout Austria. The students were able to explore a wide variety of science areas – from climate change to biotechnology and archeology to music therapy.

The 500th science ambassador Ivona Brandić also emphasizes that school visits are a unique opportunity for the researchers: “I am really looking forward to sharing the enthusiasm for my research area with the students. Ivona Brandić is a university professor for high -performance calculator systems at the Institute for Information Systems Engineering at the Technical University of Vienna (Technical Technology Vienna), where she heads the research group for high -performance computer systems. In 2015 she was awarded the FWF start price, the highest Austrian award for outstanding young scientists. In 2013 she habilitated in practical computer science at the Vienna University of Technology and was appointed professor for high-performance computing in 2016. Her research focus is on the sustainable IT, with a special focus on energy -efficient and resource -saving computing systems. Accordingly, she will offer school workshops on the subject of “sustainable AI”.

Consist science and strengthen trust
The enthusiasm of the schools for the initiative is reflected in the latest evaluation results of the OEAD. According to OEAD, the teachers particularly appreciate the age -appropriate preparation and conveying of the content, the noticeable enthusiasm of the science ambassadors for their field as well as the insights into the research practice.

Jakob Calice, Managing Director of OEAD, is pleased with the feedback: “For many educators, the added value of the visits lies in the fact that research topics from the theory corner are brought and brought alive. This opens up new perspectives on the world of science for the pupils, along with a deeper understanding of the importance of research.”

Facts about the initiative

• All school classes of all school types from all over Austria can participate.
• There are 500 science ambassadors for individual school visits and 212 thematic workshops to choose from.
• Visits can take place personally or virtually.
• Participation is free of charge for schools.

All information at: www.youngscience.at/botschafter_innen