Science Communication at the Limit In collaboration with the Universum Filmtheater, TU Braunschweig’s Science and Art Lab is screening a Covid-19 documentary followed by a discussion

Photo credit: Adam Dean for Christian Frei Filmproductions

The Science and Art Lab at Technische Universität Braunschweig, in collaboration with the Universum Filmtheater, invites you to a special film evening on Monday, 20 April 2026, at 19:00. The Swiss documentary “Blame” will be screened. Director Christian Frei uses the perspectives of three researchers to explore what it means to be at the centre of a global debate where scientific evidence and complex issues collide with a media landscape characterised by speculation, conspiracy theories and disinformation. In a subsequent panel discussion, the two professors, Prof. Dr Melanie Brinkmann and Prof. Dr Monika Taddicken, will contextualise what has been seen – both against the backdrop of their research activities and their own experiences with disinformation.

During the global Covid-19 pandemic, the importance of science communication took centre stage in public debates: initially, politicians and the media increasingly sought the advice of researchers. However, as the pandemic progressed, many experts found themselves confronted with unfounded speculation and conspiracy theories. Some even became the target of blame and defamation campaigns due to the intense media spotlight during the pandemic.

In his documentary “Blame – Bats, Politics and a Planet Out of Balance”, Oscar-nominated Swiss filmmaker Christian Frei examines the work of bat virologist Linfa Wang, virologist Zhengli Shi and zoologist Peter Daszak. Frei contrasts the researchers’ methodical long-term research with media headlines, political accusations and speculation on social media.

Following the screening, two researchers from TU Braunschweig, Prof. Dr Melanie Brinkmann and Prof. Dr Monika Taddicken, will provide a scientific analysis of the film. Prof. Melanie Brinkmann is a virologist at TU Braunschweig and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, as well as a former deputy chair of the German government’s Coronavirus Expert Council. Communication scientist Prof. Monika Taddicken researches, among other things, the dissemination and perception of scientific information in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. In a panel discussion, both will examine the disinformation strategies depicted in the film within the context of social media and the associated loss of trust in scientific institutions. They will also discuss their own experiences with media attention.

“The documentary BLAME impressively demonstrates how severely trust in science has suffered during the pandemic, at least in parts of society,” say the two directors of the Science and Art Lab, Henrike Wenzel and Jule Hillgärtner. “In a direct conversation with Prof. Melanie Brinkmann and Prof. Monika Taddicken, we would like to take a critical look back at the pandemic and the associated media strategies. We are also keen to bring the public and researchers into dialogue. Providing a platform for this exchange is one of the core tasks of the Science and Art Lab.”