Laura, you have been performing at science slams for years. How does it feel to be on stage?

It is an amazing feeling. It is wonderful to see that I can get the audience excited about my field. I really love to see people experience that moment of enlightenment as they begin to understand how things fit together. I have always loved explaining things and entertaining people. On the stage, I get to do both at the same time.

What motivated you to participate in science slams?

I actually never attended a science slam before I performed the first time, but thought this was an interesting way to teach. While researching, I realized how important it is for me to share my findings with the public. I want to share my enthusiasm with others and explain why what we are doing is relevant. During my master’s degree, I participated in preparatory workshops for science slammers. Shortly afterward, I had my first chance to perform in Hamburg and I invited all my friends. My northern German mannerisms and my ocean topic were well received by the crowd and fit well with the city. The positive experience of my first slam encouraged me to continue. Since then, I have participated in more than ten science slams and even won some of them.

What is your science slam about?

I talk about my research in marine microbiology and the path that led me here. Since my childhood, both the small details of life as well as the global level of the climate crisis have fascinated me. My research area, marine microbiology, combines both of these perfectly. In my performances, I focus mainly on the results of our junior research group, which has supported me in my science slams. Under the leadership of Dr. Greta Reintjes, we are researching how marine bacteria behaves and how carbon is stored in the ocean. Photosynthesis converts CO2 into sugars, which provide food for the bacteria. To understand where carbon from the atmosphere goes, we have to know how the ocean bacteria absorb the sugar. To do this, we stain the sugar and examine whether and how the bacteria absorb it through their membrane. To illustrate the mechanism of sugar absorption, I like to do an experiment during my performances where I throw candy to the audience and watch how many people share them with others. This demonstrates the selfish or sharing mechanisms that we see in bacteria. Another central theme of my performance is how to understand the world by asking questions. I encourage the audience to ask why and hold up a sign with the word “why” on it. This childish way of asking questions reminds the audience of their own childhood and my aim is to encourage them to think about what was important to them back then. At the end, I ask again, “Why is what we have discovered important?” and answer, “Because it always explains part of the global climate system.” Interactive elements often work very well too, and I enjoy using these on stage.

What other things have you found that work well on stage?

It is very important to me at my science slams that I do not overload the audience with information but allow them to learn and take along something new. I enjoy working with humor, but not everything that I think of at my desk at home works well in every city on the stage. There is one part where I say, “My grandpa told me that I can become anything except for the pope.” That does not go over well in predominately Catholic cities. Even though the audience honors humor in general, exaggerated humor also does not work, for example, when the content is lost by using too many cat memes. The perfect slam in my mind is one that captivates my emotions and that I can relay to others afterwards. What works very well is to begin with an emotional hook that people can identify with. I also like to add a personal touch, so I drew all my slides myself.

What can science slams do to promote science and where are the limits?

Science slams can certainly spark excitement for certain topics and for science in general by providing a platform for researchers to provide a glimpse behind the scenes of their research. They raise awareness about topics and encourage critical thinking. Ideally, some audience members will take a message home with them or even consider pursuing a degree in that field. However, science slams cannot provide a comprehensive understanding of the research, since much of it is foundational. Researchers can report about their current findings, but cannot offer comprehensive solutions – and that’s okay; this format is not designed to do that.

Will you be on stage at a science slam in the near future?

Yes, my next performance is on May 14, 2025 at the science slam in Schlachthof in Bremen. I welcome everyone who is interested in attending.

Science Slam

A science slam is a stage performance where researchers present their findings in an engaging and accessible manner, adhering to three key rules: present your own research, keep it to ten minutes, and make it entertaining. Researchers at all levels, from undergraduate students to professors, are eligible to participate. The audience will vote to determine the winner at the end of the evening, either through a show of cards or an applause meter.