Long Night of Research 2026
Over 12,000 visitors came to the University of Vienna’s locations
Around 12,000 visitors of all ages took advantage of the Long Night of Research on 24 April 2026 to experience research at the University of Vienna first-hand. The University opened its doors at five locations, demonstrating just how closely scientific findings are linked to our everyday lives. The high number of visitors underscores the great interest in research and the desire to engage directly with scientists.
The University of Vienna’s strategic priorities were brought to life at the various locations – through interactive stations, discussion forums, experiments and guided tours.
Overview of the entire programme offered at the University of Vienna:
Main Building
Where: Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna
The Main Building of the University of Vienna has been transformed into an interactive research stage with more than 60 stands from various disciplines. A dedicated programme for families and children as well as a wide range of lectures and hands-on activities on the subject of climate and the environment allowed visitors to experience first-hand how academic research shapes society and the future.
The programme focused on key societal challenges in which the University of Vienna plays a leading role: the environment, climate and sustainability, health, and democracy. In the Main Building on Universitätsring, visitors were able to engage with the research networks “Environment and Climate Research Hub” and “Health in Society”, gaining first-hand insight into and discussing current issues.
The current semester question, “Where is democracy heading?”, invited visitors to get actively involved: they could vote via the “Ball Barometer”, whilst playful activities in the GameLab encouraged them to engage with political education and social development.
There was a particular focus on communicating research to young audiences and families. The family lecture “Auf Klimamission” (On a Climate Mission), organised by the University of Vienna’s Children’s Office, impressively demonstrated how climate research works and how it relates directly to everyday life. Such formats highlight how important it is to the University of Vienna to present scientific content in an accessible way and to foster enthusiasm for research from an early age.
Faculty of Chemistry
At the Faculty of Chemistry, interactive stations invited visitors to explore chemical phenomena at fascinating hands-on stations. In the historical Carl Auer von Welsbach lecture hall – where even Albert Einstein himself attended lectures – researchers provided an insight into their current work. Topics ranged from food safety and new therapeutic approaches to innovative functional materials, demonstrating how chemical research shapes our everyday life.
University of Vienna Observatory
At the University Observatory, visitors had the opportunity to observe the sky through historic telescopes and modern instruments. Around 20 interactive stations explored key topics in astrophysics – from exoplanets to cosmology. Through discussions with researchers, visitors gained insights into current scientific questions.
University of Vienna Biology Building (UBB)
At the University of Vienna Biology Building (UBB), a varied programme invited visitors to explore key questions in the life sciences and engage in conversation with researchers. Topics covered included evolution, animal behaviour and the impact of climate change on ecosystems. Numerous hands-on activities offered visitors the chance to gain their own insights into research – from using microscopes and discovering microorganisms to conducting experiments with animal models and taking part in interactive activities focusing on biodiversity and the environment.
Faculty of Physics
For the first time, the Faculty of Physics at the University of Vienna opened its doors for the Long Night of Research, offering an insight into current research aimed at understanding the universe and future technological developments.
Alongside a family lecture on everyday physical phenomena – from energy conversion and waves to electrical discharges – numerous interactive stations invited visitors to carry out experiments. Visitors were able to step into the shoes of researchers themselves, chat with scientists and gain an insight into laboratories where world-class research is being carried out.
Guided tours of the research areas, from the basement to the roof, provided additional perspectives on the working environments of physics.
The Long Night of Research has once again demonstrated that research is not only exciting and cool, but also of central importance in tackling current and future challenges. The University of Vienna is positioning itself as a key player in this field, making a significant contribution to the development of sustainable solutions through its expertise and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Across Austria, the event attracted around 192,000 visitors, confirming its status as the country’s largest research festival.A big thank you to everyone involved!
The next Long Night of Research will take place in 2028 – stay curious!