Vienna Science Hub Q. Takes Shape: Construction Site Between Wollzeile and Bäckerstraße Now Operational

Making Science Accessible

According to those involved, the content of Q. will be co-developed by around 70 scientists. At the center will be the theme of "Scientific literacy" – in other words, knowledge about how science and research work and what mechanisms lie behind them. A collaboration with civil society is also planned, "allen voran Schülerinnen und Schülern".

The first "kleines Projekt" completed was the ceiling restoration in the Jesuit Hall, or "Jesuitentheater", on the top floor of the building. The representative hall on the second floor will continue to be rented out for events. Among the "vielen Unterstützerinnen und Unterstützern" was also the Jesuit community in Vienna.

Voices from Politics and Science

Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) spoke of the emergence of a "Raumes für eine gute Zukunft". Science Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner (SPÖ) highlighted the possibility of public participation and cooperation between the universities. ÖAW President Heinz Faßmann emphasized: „Wir müssen die Menschen davon überzeugen, wie wichtig Wissenschaft ist."

The rectors of the participating universities also threw their weight behind the project. University of Vienna rector Sebastian Schütze said that the institution reaches young people, „bevor sie in Vorurteilen versunken sind". TU Wien rector Jens Schneider pointed to survey figures on trust in universities: while in the US trust in universities has fallen below 30 percent, in Austria the figure is still around 80 percent. This basis of trust, he said, must be leveraged.

A Place for Questions and Encounter

For the Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft (BIG), as owner and landlord, managing director Christine Dornaus is overseeing the project. The BIG is providing the spatial prerequisites with the site, it was said. The opening of Q. will take place in stages; specific opening dates were initially not announced. Information is available via the website https://qscience.space.

With Q., a place is being created in Vienna that is intended to build bridges between science and the public. In a time when reliable information and understanding of scientific processes are increasingly under pressure, those responsible see a gap here that is to be closed with exhibitions, events, and educational offerings – right in the heart of the city.