What does science look like beyond lecture halls and laboratories? Research often remains abstract, but at the second Science Festival on September 19, 2026, at Frankfurt’s Roßmarkt, it became tangible. Institutions from a wide range of research fields presented their work and encouraged visitors to explore and learn. Topics ranged from neuroscience and military conscription to artificial intelligence (AI), financial literacy, and extremist emojis on social media.
At hands-on stations, visitors could explore a walk-in heart, touch a neutron star, or try out programming exercises. While a mentalist and a science musical captivated the audience, a drumming workshop invited participants to experience rhythms together and explore them in a playful way. Children could also take part in a rally, completing tasks and collecting stamps at each station.
SAFE at the Science Festival 2026
SAFE researchers answered questions on financial literacy, the early-start pension, the digital euro, climate and finance, and the SAFE Manager Sentiment Index. Two SAFE researchers also contributed to the diverse stage program: Kevin Bauer gave a presentation on the future of financial advice and the influence of AI, and Claudia Schaffranka participated in a panel discussion on current crises and potential solutions based on research. The Science Festival highlighted how closely many issues facing society are linked to SAFE’s research topics.
The festival is organized every two years by the Frankfurt Alliance, an association of Frankfurt-based scientific and research institutions. The alliance aims to showcase the diversity of the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main science region to the public and foster encounters between science and society. In addition to SAFE, the following research institutions are part of the alliance:
- ATHENE – Nationales Forschungszentrum für angewandte Cybersicherheit,
- Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung,
- DIPF | Leibniz-Institut für Bildungsforschung und Bildungsinformation,
- Ernst Strüngmann Institut (ESI) der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft,
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Translationale Medizin und Pharmakologie ITMP,
- Goethe-Universität Frankfurt,
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH / Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research in Europe (FAIR GmbH),
- Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysik,
- Max-Planck-Institut für empirische Ästhetik,
- Max-Planck-Institut für Herz- und Lungenforschung,
- Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung,
- Max-Planck-Institut für Rechtsgeschichte und Rechtstheorie,
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut,
- PRIF – Leibniz-Institut für Friedens- und Konfliktforschung,
- Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung.
