New season of Agree to Disagree: Science meets controversial topics!

New season of Agree to Disagree: Science meets controversial topics!

The new season of the science series “Agree to Disagree” starts on June 2, 2025 in the arte media library. Those from Prof. Dr. The series, moderated by Bertolt Meyer, holder of the professorship for work, organizational and business psychology at Chemnitz University of Technology, is known for allowing scientists with different points of view to discuss respectfully. The new season will present seven new episodes that address socially relevant topics.

Topics include “Is esotericism dangerous?”, “Depression: predisposition or environmental influences?” and “Migration: What does cultural diversity mean for society?” The series has proven to be particularly successful: in 2023 it was awarded the “Buzzy Award” for best documentary short format at the World Congress of Science & Factual Producers in Seattle. In addition, the production has already been extended for another season, which underlines the continued relevance of the topics and the positive response to the content so far.

Diversity of topics and interdisciplinary discussion

The new episodes of the series cover a wide range of topics, including “CO₂ storage: climate savior or greenwashing?” This selection reflects the current challenges and debates that should be discussed in society. The first episode of the series from May 2023, which deals with robotics research at Chemnitz University of Technology, addressed provocative questions about automation and its effects on jobs. Various experts had their say, including Prof. Dr. Ulrike Thomas.

The “Agree to Disagree” series includes not only the video format, but also the “People of Science” podcast, which deals with the guests’ research focuses. Bertolt Meyer emphasizes that the series aims to show the plurality of scientific findings and to illustrate the process nature of science. The inclusion of different positions is based on the principle of making scientific discussions accessible to a broad audience and thus promoting scientific communication.

The role of science communication

The relevance of science communication has increased significantly during the Corona pandemic. It is evident that information deficits and the spread of misinformation represent a challenge for society. This is linked to the push for greater separation between journalism and PR to ensure the quality of information. Universities and media must ensure that scientific information is conveyed with credibility and academic standards in order to maintain public trust.

A study by MIT strikingly shows that misinformation on social platforms achieves greater reach than correct information, which further underlines the need for high-quality science communication. It is crucial in science communication not only to provide information, but also to provide transparent information about uncertainties and contradictions.

The creation of structures and the promotion of journalists as intermediaries in science communication could be considered effective measures to qualify and improve the dissemination of information. Scientists alone should not be held responsible for public communication, especially when it could jeopardize the quality of information dissemination. There is a clear need for action in this regard, which can be supported by various academic and media initiatives.

Overall, the “Agree to Disagree” series not only illustrates the diversity of scientific debate, but also reflects the challenges that scientific communication must overcome in today's information society. The ability to respectfully discuss different opinions and communicate scientific findings in an understandable way is essential for the future of society and political discourse.

For more information about the new season of “Agree to Disagree,” visit TU Chemnitz, while IDW Online provides an overview of the successful publication of the series. Detailed aspects of science communication and its challenges are presented in an article by bpb.de discussed.