Science for
Policy Hackathon

In the Science for Policy Hackathon students and early-career researchers collaborate in interdisciplinary teams to tackle real-world policy challenges from the City of Vienna, applying their expertise to develop science-based solutions for societal issues like climate change and biodiversity.

The Importance
of Science for Policy

Science and research play a crucial role in policymaking by providing evidence that helps decision-makers evaluate the potential outcomes of their actions or inactions. As societal challenges such as climate change and the policies needed to address them become more complex, more frequent interactions between researchers and policymakers are needed. However, despite the growing demand for evidence and acknowledgement of potential benefits, it can be difficult for researchers to know how to effectively engage in the policymaking process.

Please apply by 11th November, 2024 to be part of the Science for Policy Hackathon. The number of spots available for participants is limited.

General Information

The goal of the science for policy hackathon is to encourage students and early-career researchers to apply their expertise and skills in a real-world policy context of the City of Vienna. Furthermore, participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the development of science-based policies in general and relevant structures and processes within the City of Vienna in particular. All teams will be supported by an expert in research-based policymaking as well as experts from the City of Vienna.

The participants will work in interdisciplinary teams to develop strategies to address one of the thematic topics and the specified challenges proposed by the City of Vienna. The challenges should be addressed in full or in part by referring to current research findings, information provided by the City of Vienna, relevant local, national and international strategies and policies, and international best practices. Furthermore, the policy drafts should include recommendations for target group-specific communication of the recommended measures. On this basis, appropriate recommendations for action should be derived. The developed policy drafts are then presented to a jury of experts.

Master students, PhD Students, interested Post-Docs from all disciplines. The challenges of the hackathon require, among other things, expertise on topics such as biodiversity and climate change, as well as analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex content to different target groups. The Science for Policy Hackathon therefore pursues an explicitly interdisciplinary approach and is aimed at participants from the natural and life sciences as well as the humanities and social sciences. Both individuals and teams can apply to take part in the hackathon. Work on the challenges will take place in interdisciplinary teams, team formation will be organised during the kick-off on 19 November.

Please apply by 11th November, 2024 to be part of the Science for Policy Hackathon. The number of spots available for participants is limited.

Kick-Off

đź“… 19th November 2024, 15:00 – 20:00
đź“Ť Aula, Campus of the University of Vienna

Hackathon Kick-off with welcoming words, team formation, keynotes, introduction to the challenges, networking with food and drinks

Webinar

đź“… 3rd December 2024, 15:00
đź“Ť Zoom

Webinar on the topic of science policy by Chloe Hill, policy expert of the European Geoscience Union

Hackathon

đź“… 6th – 7th February 2025, 9:00-17:00
đź“Ť Apostelgasse 23, 1030

Teamwork, supported by experts and mentors (European Geoscience Union, University of Vienna and the City of Vienna), with food and drinks

Pitch Day

đź“… 10th February 2025, 16:00
đź“Ť DOCK, Spittelauer Lände 10, 1090

Final pitch of the projects and award ceremony, with food and drinks

Yes, there is an award of 1.500 € for the best team and 500€ for the runner-up team.

Organizers

Partner

Urban Studies Working Group/Urban Sustainability Living Lab (USLL)
of the Department of Geography and Regional Research

The Challenges

In the registration process you can select one or more challenges that you would like to work on during the hackathon. This will help us to prepare the matchmaking for the teams during the kick-off on 19 November. The city’s challenges will be presented and specified in detail by city experts at the kick-off on 19 November (e.g. focusing on specific target groups or locations in the city of Vienna).