We hear time and again that society lacks a culture that supports open discussion and debate. There is room to improve cultivating a debate culture, even at Austrian universities. In cooperation with the Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) and the JKU Austrian Students' Union, Academia Superior has taken the initiative to encourage a stronger debate culture and demonstrate that we can hold and learn from fact-based discussions on any topic. The participating organizations are planning a joint debate that will not only foster a culture of discussion and discourse among students and other participants, but also address an engaging social issue facing us in the future and the opportunity to discuss the topic with others within the broader community.

Moderated by British-Austrian debate expert Prof. Nicholas Allen, we will explore the question “Can We Still Believe in Science - Yes or No?”. Based on an English public debate model, selected panelists will present and discuss the pros and cons. Afterwards, the audience will vote on which side presented the better arguments.

Opening remarks: Deputy Governor Christine Haberlander (Chairwoman Academia Superior), Prof. Dr. Stefan Koch (Rector, Johannes Kepler University Linz), Philipp Bergsmann (Austrian Student Union JKU Chairman)

Debate: Moderated by Nicholas Allen, British-Austrian theater educator