Podcast Unheard of Middle Ages” wins Fast Forward Science Prize!

Podcast Unheard of Middle Ages” wins Fast Forward Science Prize!

The podcast "Unheard of the Middle Ages. Pre-modern stories and why you should definitely know them" was awarded the renowned Fast Forward Science Prize for "Best Debut Audio". This honor was announced on September 27, 2025 and refers to outstanding achievement in science communication. The initiators of this project are the Potsdam Germanists Prof. Dr. Katharina Philipowski, Natalie Mlynarski-Jung and Hans Levin, who prevailed against 164 competing entries. The jury placed particular emphasis on the innovative and understandable communication of current research topics via audio formats, which makes the podcast a pioneer in the use of media for science.

The Fast Forward Science Prize has established itself as a platform to promote newcomers in science communication. A total of 41 entries were submitted in the “Best Debut Audio” category, which shows this year that podcasts are becoming more and more important. The jury heard more than 26 hours of audio before reaching its decision. This demonstrates the great interest and diversity of scientific topics that can be presented through podcasts.

Main focus of the podcast

The podcast “Unerhörtes Mittelalter” takes its listeners on a journey through the medieval text form of the verse novellas. Each episode features a selected story by Prof. i. R. Dr. Harald Haferland from Osnabrück read aloud. During these readings, hosts and guests provide historical context and social context to the texts presented, underscoring the relevance and importance of these often overlooked narratives.

Prof. Dr. Philipowski expressed his enthusiasm about the award and highlighted the important support of the University of Potsdam management. This backing is crucial to the production capabilities of podcasts that can appeal to a wide audience.

The role of podcasts in science communication

Podcasts offer scientists the opportunity to present their research in an accessible format that is both comprehensive and entertaining. The flexibility of podcast formats allows you to design them however you want and choose topics that are of interest to the audience. This makes podcasts a valuable tool in science communication that not only targets adults, but also appeals to students.

The development and production of a podcast involves various aspects, from concept work to the necessary technology and marketing measures. Thanks to the wide range of possible uses of audio contributions, content can be conveyed in an appealing and informative way, even without visual support. This aspect was particularly recognized in the Fast Forward Science competition, as audio contributions received their own category this year, reflecting the growing interest in audio formats.

In summary, the award for the podcast “Unerhörtes Mittelalter” shows that science communication is breaking new ground through creative approaches such as podcasts. The Fast Forward Science Prize 2025 is a further step towards a broader and more accessible communication of research results to society.