The Hof autumn market: the smell of bratwurst in the air, beer fountains in constant use, thick jackets despite almost double-digit temperatures – and in the middle of it all, Hof University of Applied Sciences, which showed that research not only works in the laboratory or on servers, but also directly between market stalls and the pedestrian zone.
Prof. René Peinl from the Institute for Information Systems (iisys) was on the big stage. No PowerPoint, no technology show, just him, a flipchart and a microphone. This enabled him to take passers-by on a short journey into the world of artificial intelligence. And it was not only informative, but above all made people smile. Who would have thought that an AI could easily understand that “Der buale Efenalt sgrnit fhöclirh üebr das dnüne Siel” actually means “The blue elephant jumps happily over the thin rope” – but calculates a cube image in such a way that the areas visible on the sides are also counted? Math weak, texts strong – the audience visibly enjoyed the “most beautiful mistakes of man and machine”.
Not far away, Dr. Julia Frank and Michael Schmidt from the Institute for Sustainable Water Systems (inwa) held the fort at the stand of the “Competence Center Sustainable Sponge City/Region”. With winter jackets and patience, they presented projects and research results – albeit a little away from the actual market activity. The flow of visitors was more towards the bratwurst stand and beer fountain. But that’s exactly where the art lies: explaining science in an understandable way, even if the people around you are craving food and drink.
And then there was Morten Weber, a student at Hof University of Applied Sciences. With great personal commitment, he presented project ideas relating to wool at the “HofHaltig” sustainability market, all the results of a so-called “student ideation week”. His stand showed that research can be tangible, creative and close to people. It was clear to him that the university not only imparts knowledge, but is also part of urban society – visible, approachable and open.
Hof University of Applied Sciences’ participation in the autumn market was a colorful picture: Science on stage, in the middle of everyday life, sometimes a little in the shadow of the bratwurst stand, but always with the aim of bringing research to where it belongs – to the people. With humor, commitment and an invitation to simply stop, listen and join in.
