From 12 to 14 June 2026, under the theme ‘Sharing knowledge – strengthening community’ – high-profile guests announced, including Harald Lesch
For the first time, Scientists for Future (S4F) and Psychologists/Psychotherapists for Future (Psy4F) are jointly organising their national congress: the event will take place from 12 to 14 June 2026 at the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK Leipzig). It will bring together around 200 scientists from both movements.
The programme includes workshops and specialist talks on all aspects of future and climate research. There will be discussions on climate activism, science communication, AI, democracy and security.
Renowned experts will deliver keynote speeches on current topics, including science journalist and television presenter Harald Lesch, Leipzig-based biodiversity researcher Josef Settele (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Leipzig) and SPIEGEL bestselling author Christian Stöcker.
A concluding panel discussion under the theme ‘From Knowledge to Action’ will draw conclusions and offer an outlook for the future. HTWK energy expert Prof. Jens Schneider will also take part in the panel discussion. He has been involved with Scientists for Future since its foundation in 2019 and has played a key role in making the congress in Leipzig possible.
“We are delighted and proud that the first joint national congress organised by Scientist4Future and Psychologists4Future is taking place at our university. HTWK Leipzig is committed to sustainability in research and teaching across all six faculties, with exciting projects such as those on digital timber construction and optimised energy use.
Scientists bear a special responsibility: our expertise can influence policy and society, break down barriers and promote solutions. In this respect, I expect this national congress to yield many insights into climate change itself, alliances to halt it, and potential solutions for adaptation measures – as well as inspiration for communicating with students and decision-makers, but also for our own ‘peace of mind’, because climate change poses a major challenge for us all,” says Jens Schneider, Professor of Networked Energy Systems at the host institution, HTWK Leipzig.
Lisa Falkowski from Scientists for Future Leipzig adds: “We face the challenge of communicating scientific findings in such a way that they actually reach people and empower them to take action.”
Yvonne Stobinski from Psychologists for Future says: “Psychological mechanisms play an important role here. We must incorporate these into our communication and our work.”
The conference programme is primarily aimed at members of Scientists, Psychologists and Psychotherapists for Future, but guests are also very welcome.
Students can attend free of charge, subject to availability!
