The Berlin Hub for Science and Society (BHS2) bridges research and practice through evidence-based engagement. We advance research in public engagement and impact, building robust evidence that shapes policy and drives sustainable change.
BHS2 creates spaces where science and society meet. Through workshops, convenings, and collaborative activities, we bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, patients, advocates, and other relevant stakeholders. By integrating diverse perspectives and insights, we help define how science and society can communicate more effectively by creating dialogue that drives real-world impact.
Our work spans multiple domains: we support cross-disciplinary dialogues on complex societal challenges, establish sustainable frameworks for ongoing collaboration, and develop best practices in science-society interactions. We don’t just study engagement. We practice it, continually refining our methods based on what we learn.
The relationship between science and society is evolving. Traditional models positioned researchers as knowledge producers and the public as knowledge recipients. Today, we recognize that innovation happens at the intersection of different forms of expertise—and that the most pressing challenges require diverse perspectives to solve.
Complex health challenges, like early disease detection and prevention, can’t be solved by researchers alone. Clinicians need tools and evidence they can use in practice. Policymakers need accessible summaries that inform decisions. Patients and communities need to be partners in defining problems and testing solutions. Yet these groups rarely occupy the same spaces or speak the same language.
The result? Research that doesn’t address real-world needs. Policies disconnected from evidence. Clinical practices that lag behind scientific knowledge. Public mistrust or misunderstanding of science. Missed opportunities for innovation.
Public engagement transforms these challenges into opportunities. When researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and communities work together, research becomes more relevant, policies become more evidence-based, clinical practice becomes more responsive, and public trust in science increases.
But engagement isn’t just about better communication. It’s about shared responsibility. Health is co-created through individual choices, mutual and self-respect, healthcare systems, research priorities, and policy frameworks. By bringing these elements into dialogue, we can build a culture where prevention is prioritized, evidence informs action, and diverse voices shape the future of health innovation.
BHS2 is committed to building robust evidence that shapes policy and promotes sustainable practice. We believe that meaningful dialogue between science and society requires infrastructure, expertise, and sustained investment. As an aspiring think and do tank and convening platform, we aim to provide that foundation: enabling conversations that might not otherwise happen and capturing insights that might otherwise be lost.
