Long Night of Research 2026
The Long Night of Research (Lange Nacht der Forschung) will take place on 24 April 2026 from 5 pm to 11 pm. The University of Vienna will be participating with 100 stands at 5 locations: Main Building, Faculty of Chemistry, Faculty of Physics, Observatory and University of Vienna Biology Building
Our researchers will be on hand to demonstrate the fascinating interplay between research and knowledge at hands-on stations, in experimental lectures and presentations as well as during exhibitions and guided tours. They will accompany you on your journey through the world of research at the University of Vienna – a fascinating landscape of academic research, new findings and surprising perspectives.
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 will be 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 will allow visitors to experience first-hand how academic research shapes society and the future.
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Family lecture: On a climate mission
Children and the persons accompanying them will have the opportunity to explore how our climate works – in a fascinating, understandable and interactive family lecture. Find out through brief experiments and easy-to-understand examples how everybody can contribute in everyday life to protecting the climate. 17:00, Elise-Richter-Saal lecture hall
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Panel: Tatort Umwelt (the environment and the law)
Environmental crimes, climate lawsuits and the right to a healthy environment. Ingeborg Zerbes, Stephanie Nitsch and Michaela Krömer shed light on real cases at the intersection of criminal law and climate protection – in a fascinating, insightful and highly topical panel. 19:30, Elise-Richter-Saal lecture hall
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Live act: The Maschek group – research under scrutiny
Peter Hörmanseder and Robert Stachel (both alumni of the University of Vienna) put research under the microscope in a satirical conversation and share their pointed, ingenious and unique perspective on society and current affairs. 21:00, Audimax
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On a journey of discovery
Experience research first-hand at more than 60 interactive stations. Using signposted self‑guided tours you will navigate your way along a wide range of fascinating questions through the research landscape of the University of Vienna.
Ian Ehm
Faculty of Chemistry
Where: Boltzmanngasse 1 / Währinger Strasse 42, 1090 Vienna
Explore chemical phenomena at fascinating hands-on stations and hear lectures in the historical Carl Auer von Welsbach lecture hall, where even Albert Einstein himself attended lectures. Experience first-hand what the researchers at the Faculty are currently working on. Ranging from food safety to new treatment options and state-of-the-art functional materials – we demonstrate how chemistry shapes our everyday life.
University of Vienna Observatory
Where: Türkenschanzstraße 17, 1180 Vienna
Observe the sky through two of our historical telescopes and state-of-the art instruments and discover the entire range of astrophysics, ranging from exoplanets to cosmology, at 20 interactive stations. Engage in dialogue with our researchers and delve into the world of science.
- Children’s programme: We offer an exciting programme for children, including a mobile planetarium and hands-on research stations.
- From the vast to the tiny: If the vastness of outer space feels overwhelming, our colleagues from the Faculty of Physics will show you our world in the tiniest dimensions – down to individual atoms.
Astronomy should be accessible for all: This year, we will also be offering a station that is accessible for persons with a visual impairment.
University of Vienna Biology Building (UBB)
Where: Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna
Delve into the fascinating world of biology and talk to researchers. Explore how evolution has shaped all species, what we can learn from animal behaviour and how climate change affects our future.
Take action yourself! Investigate things under the microscope, explore microbes, take samples from a model crocodile, observe sea anemones hunting prey, cheer on beetles racing each other, make seed bombs, and more.
- Reading: Angela Stöger reads from her book about elephants and their wisdom, language and social system (in German, original title: Elefanten – Ihre Weisheit, ihre Sprache und ihr soziales Miteinander).
- Pub quiz: What do you know about primatology and our closest relatives?
- Guided tours: Aqualab, research greenhouse and library
Faculty of Physics
Where: Strudlhofgasse 4, 1090 Vienna
How does our universe work? Which innovations will shape our future? This year the Faculty of Physics at the University of Vienna will be taking part in the Long Night of Research for the first time. Discover a university location at which state-of-the-art research generates findings that will shape the world of tomorrow.
- Learn about fascinating everyday phenomena in a family lecture (starting at 17:30) and observe how energy transforms from one form into another, how waves travel and how whirlpools form. Watch as we make a pipe sing using heat and as we generate flashes of lightning.
- Take on the role of a researcher and conduct experiments at numerous interactive hands-on stations. Talk to internationally renowned researchers and ask them everything you always wanted to know about physics.
- Discover the laboratories in which our researchers are breaking academic world records.
There is no need to register in advance to take part in the hands-on stations and lectures – simply come along and get involved!
Please register for the guided tours of the researchers’ workplaces from the basement to the rooftop.
Programme for children and families
There is a lot to explore for children at the locations of the University of Vienna. Stories and handicrafts at the Observatory, hands-on experiments at the Biology Building, family lectures at the faculties of Chemistry and Physics as well as a diverse programme for children and adolescents in the Main Building.
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Family lecture
Attend our family lecture: 17:00, Elise-Richter-Saal lecture hall, Main Building, Universitätsring 1
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Stations for children
The Children's Office invites children to puzzle over research questions in the Main Building of the University of Vienna on Universitätsring 1, from 17:00 to 21:00. Youngsters can have fun conducting easy experiments and observing fascinating phenomena.
