The 2026 FUTURE FORUM will convene leaders from diverse backgrounds including academia, museums, journalism, media, public engagement, government, industry, and scientific organizations from the United States and Germany to explore how science can more effectively serve society through communication, collaboration, and public engagement.
Centered on the theme Science for Society, the meeting will examine how trust in science is built and sustained, how scientific discoveries and long-term research can be communicated more effectively to diverse audiences, and how institutions can demonstrate the societal value of science. A panel discussion will address the roles of museums, journalists, policymakers, and other non-traditional science communicators; strategies for strengthening public confidence in science and evidence-based decision-making; the importance of open and international scientific collaboration amid increasing geopolitical pressures; and approaches to fostering public engagement, scientific literacy, and global collaboration.
Through interdisciplinary dialogue and transatlantic relationship-building, the 2026 FUTURE FORUM aims to develop new partnerships, identify best practices, and strengthen the role of science communication in advancing an informed, engaged, and resilient society.
This event is free and open to everyone. Registration is required.
The FUTURE FORUM brings together experts from Germany, the United States, and beyond to exchange perspectives on emerging issues in science, innovation, and society. Through focused expert dialogue and public engagement, the format creates space to examine shared challenges, identify new perspectives, and strengthen transatlantic exchange.
Previous editions have explored themes including Science Diplomacy in an Era of Technological Disruption at the Science Diplomacy Hub at Johns Hopkins University, Washington, D.C. in 2025. Or Health. Tech. Diplomacy., which focused on global health at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in 2025.
In 2026, the FUTURE FORUM returns with Science for Society, bringing together transatlantic experts to explore questions around science communication, public trust, scientific literacy, public engagement, and collaboration across disciplines and borders.