FALLING WALLS REMOTE 2020: THE BREAKTHROUGHS OF THE YEAR

As much as the coronavirus crisis restricts personal gatherings in 2020, it opens up a new opportunity to overcome the limitations of a traditional conference through innovative, open and engaging digital formats. In 2020 Falling Walls want to showcase, discuss, value and celebrate a wide variety of breakthroughs, involving a wider audience during a longer period of time than was possible before in physical meetings. All strands will converge on 9 November in an award ceremony and expert panel discussions. In ten categories some of the most recent breakthroughs, outstanding science projects and bright minds globally to inspire a discussion on how science and innovation can contribute to the state of mankind. In a year of crisis and despair, Falling Wall wants to spur hope and set the stage for the post-corona agenda.

Falling Walls 2020 - Call for Nominations

The call for nominations in 10 categories 

Falling Walls calls leading academics and world-class academic institutions from around the world – universities, research organisations, companies, private and public research centres, academies, research funders, foundations and individuals – for their nominations in ten categories: 

• Life Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Engineering and Technology
• Social Sciences and the Humanities
• Science in the Arts
• Digital Education
• Science and Innovation Management
• Emerging Talents (Falling Walls Lab)
• Science Start-ups (Falling Walls Venture)
• Science Engagement (Falling Walls Engage)

The five-step procedure of Falling Walls 

1. NOMINATIONS The first step is a brief nomination summary, plus links and /or attachments, to be entered. We ask every institution for only one nomination per category, i.e. your institution can nominate up to ten breakthroughs. If – after a first nomination was made – in the course of the next months another outstanding breakthrough takes place in a specific category, a second nomination is possible. However, we urge you to enter your nominations as fast as possible to make Step 3 most meaningful. The nomination period starts immediately and ends on 1 September at the latest.
2. FINALISTS The nomination is reviewed with external experts continuously. If it is accepted, a short visual presentation will be asked for (max. 5 min.). 
3. GLOBAL PERCEPTION  Falling Walls will continuously announce the finalists, display their videos and make their work recognised, so as to foster a scholarly and public debate about the contribution of science to society – via social media, newsletters and on falling-walls.com. 
4. CATEGORY DAYS | BERLIN SCIENCE WEEK Over ten days, from the end of October to the beginning of November, each day will be dedicated to a different category, to recognise and discuss the ten respective winners individually, as identified by distinguished juries. At the end of the day the breakthrough of the year in each category will be selected by the corresponding jury (but the overall winner will not be announced before 9 November 2020). In addition, digital live expert panel discussions open to the public (“Circle Tables“) will highlight the post-coronavirus-agenda in various fields. The category days and Circle Tables are part of the (2020 Remote) Berlin Science Week.  
5. FALLING WALLS DAY 9 NOVEMBER 2020 | THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FALLING WALLS  BREAKTHROUGHS OF THE YEAR  On 9 November 2020, the anniversary of the historic fall of the Berlin Wall, the ten Falling Walls Breakthroughs of the Year (one per category) will be made public, and the people and institutions who made them possible will be honoured in a live digital session; in this event, a “remote” Falling Walls Circle of distinguished world leaders will discuss the post-corona agendas of the various fields. All material will be made available permanently and for free on our falling-walls.com library to allow global access and inspiration.