Do social polarization trends determine the future of our democracy? What role can and should science play in times of crisis to describe polarization or even counteract it? How and where can science, civil society, politics and journalism work together to mitigate polarization?

Against the backdrop of a global super election year, these questions were in focus at the FZI Spring Festival in Berlin on May 15th.

Together with over 130 guests from civil society, business, media, science and politics, our panel guests Hendrik Lehmann (Tagesspiegel Innovation Lab), Silke Mülherr (Alfred Landecker Foundation), Prof. Dr. Christof Weinhardt (KIT/FZI) and Uschi Jonas (CORRECTIV) took part in the exciting discussion. Moderated by FZI department head and head of the House of Participation Dr. Jonas Fegert, it became clear that “hard numbers versus perceived truth” are needed and that good journalism and good science must be sufficiently financed.

After all, research in particular can collect data over a longer period of time and incorporate the experience gained from journalism. This is also where data expertise is built up in order to disseminate knowledge and develop tools and approaches, says FZI Director Christof Weinhardt. And Hendrik Lehmann puts it in a nutshell: “Collaboration with researchers? Mega opportunity!" The aim is to conduct clean, well-founded research, to dispel myths, to provide material so that informed citizens can make informed decisions.

Taking place on a rooftop in Berlin-Charlottenburg, the evening ended with conversations and cool drinks.