We are eager to create a completely new and inspiring research environment. This requires cutting-edge technologies, but also a creative and modern way of thinking, working, living, collaborating and wellbeing. At a side event of the Falling Walls Science Summit Berlin 2024 (https://falling-walls.com/), AITHYRA had three standing tables at the evening reception of the young scientists pitching event. The goal was to collect ideas and recommendations of young researchers and entrepreneurs on future research environments. What can be built to make work easier and efficient, what are important topics to foster a pleasant atmosphere and belonging?

Michael Bronstein: Talk, Play, Dough
A hands-on icebreaker session where participants sculpted and presented their vision of research environments using playdough.

Martina Hödl-Baumgartner: Nobel Prize Tandem
A creative writing exercise where participants crafted Nobel Prize acceptance speeches imagining successful research partnerships with AI.

Anita Ender and Michaela Herzig: Build a Research Environment
Participants exchanged experience and ideas on how to design and create innovative spatial configurations and relationships.

We thank the Falling Walls participants who contributed to lively discussions and playful interactions. And we are grateful to Johanna Barnbeck and Julia Warnemünde (Spread the Nerd), Patrick Kenzler (Studio Kenzler), Rolf Schulten (photo credit), Martina Hödl-Baumgartner (ÖAW), and Michaela Herzig (MDC and EU-LIFE) who helped us to prepare and run this interactive side event. It was fun and very useful at the same time. We will take the feedback on does and don’t into the AITHYRA development and building planning. Additional ideas are always welcome: office(at)aithyra.at 

Michael Bronstein and Anita Ender