FORUM Wissen (Göttingen, Germany)

FORUM Wissen in Göttingen is a university museum that makes the world of research and knowledge accessible to the wider public. Opened by the University of Göttingen, it brings together more than 70 of the university’s collections and presents them in a way that highlights not just objects, but the processes, practices and conditions in which knowledge is created.

At the heart of the museum is the permanent exhibition Spaces of Knowledge, which guides visitors through the environments where knowledge emerges, from laboratories and archives to the field and the desk. Each space combines objects from different disciplines and eras, encouraging direct comparisons and highlighting three key ideas: the multiple perspectives through which we view objects, the practices that generate knowledge, and the networks that connect discoveries across time and disciplines. Interactive stations such as the Laboratory, the Field, the walk-in Desk and the Blind Alley invite visitors to explore scientific methods, tools and even the failures that are part of research.

FORUM Wissen is also a living laboratory for participation. Students and researchers play a central role in the museum, with around 25 students from different disciplines leading guided tours, organising workshops and engaging directly with visitors. Special exhibitions create opportunities for researchers to share their current projects and connect academic inquiry with public dialogue. Future plans include a biodiversity gallery and new lecture halls that will further strengthen the museum as a hub of knowledge, debate and exchange.

With its innovative approach, FORUM Wissen bridges university and society, making science tangible, transparent and participatory. As a candidate for the DASA Award 2023, it exemplifies how a museum can transform the understanding of research into an inspiring and interactive public experience.

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