Social, Health & Wellness, and Environmental Impact Programmes
Social Programme
| Monday 16 June | Welcome reception at Dom Kultury, 19:00 – 20:30 You are invited to join us at this historic venue in Poland! Take a 20-minute walk through the town, cross the river and you will be in Poland, where we are hosting a welcome reception for all attendees. Shuttle transfers will also be available from 18:00 from the theatre. |
| Tuesday 17 June | ‘Mysterious Universe’ at Gerhart Hauptman Theatre, 19:30 Join Michael Kramer of the Max Planck Institute for this public talk in German for the people of Görlitz. It’s free, but tickets can be requested at the theatre box office in person - More details |
| Wednesday 18 June | Free afternoon - local tours are available: You can choose to do one or more walking tours which are available at 14:30 and 15:45 for one hour from the theatre.
Social dinner at Kühlhaus, 19:00 – 22:30 You are invited to join us at the Kühlhaus for drinks and dinner, a venue with a difference! A cash bar will also be available. Shuttle transfers will run from 18:00 from the theatre or from Parkhotel. You can also walk ~1 hr (on a tour – see above, or independently) or take the train! |
| Thursday 19 June | Early Career Researchers Lunch, 12:30 – 14:00 Jugendherberge If you are an ECR, you are welcome to join this networking lunch at the youth hostel. Booking now closed. GATSBY! KEMA Venue, Görlitz, 19:30 Don’t miss this entertainment extravaganza of immersive theatre, where you will get to walk from scene to scene. This show comes to you from the Görlitz theatre team and promises not to disappoint. Places have been reserved especially for the Science Meeting attendees. Tickets are 35 euros. Use this link to make your booking (small booking fee applies) and tickets can be collected from the theatre box office. A limited number of tickets may be available to purchase in person, but to guarantee your place, please book in advance. |
Health and Wellness Programme
Our plenary venue is the Gerhart Hauptmann Theatre in Görlitz and our parallel venues, of which there are eight, and our lunch venue, the Wichernhaus, are in the centre of the town, all within walking distance. Whilst there will be a transfer vehicle available for those that need it, we encourage those that can, to walk between venues, getting fresh air and stretching your legs. See the map here |
Counting your steps – please join us in our ‘Step Up’ challenge! With 500 attendees moving between all our venues, we’re keen to know how many steps we will collectively do throughout the week. Please download "SKAO Science Meeting StepUp Challenge" group on StepUp, a fun app for step challenges. Get the app and then tap - "SKAO Science Meeting StepUp Challenge" group on StepUp (socialmeta.page link) And then get ready to count your daily steps so that can track our progress. Can our group walk from Görlitz to SKA-Mid in South Africa? We’ll share the milestones we reach throughout the week! There might even be some prizes! |
Anyone a runner? If you enjoy running or fancy giving it a go, please join the 5K run on Wednesday (18th) morning, meeting outside the theatre at 06:30. Our SKAO running lead, Rosie, will then take you on a 5K run which will be suitable for all levels. For anyone that takes running a bit more seriously, you may be interested in the https://www.europamarathon.de/europamarathon-2025/ which is taking place in Görlitz and Zgorzelec on Sunday 15th June, as we write, there are still places available to register online. There is also a Parkrun on Saturday 21st June in Zgorzelec, which starts near to our social reception venue, Dom Kultury, so why not join in this 5K if you’re staying for the weekend. |
Green Görlitz Known for its well-preserved architecture and serene atmosphere, Görlitz is also home to numerous green spaces, parks, and riverbanks that invite peaceful walks, outdoor conversations, or moments of quiet reflection. The city's gardens, such as the scenic Stadtpark and the riverside areas along the Neisse, provide refreshing outdoor spaces perfect for informal networking or simply unwinding after an informative ‘Science Meeting’ day. |
Covid policy at the SKAO Science Meeting As organisers we will prioritise the health and well-being of all participants by adhering to the latest public health guidance and best practices related to COVID-19. If any attendee begins to feel unwell during the meeting, they will be asked to follow a clear and considerate response to ensure the safety and comfort of all participants. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, or fatigue should self-isolate and avoid contact with others. They should Staff will be available to guide affected individuals through the appropriate next steps, including arranging remote participation, so they |
Environmental Impact Programme
We are committed to reducing the SKAO Science Meeting’s environmental impact. Our plan focuses on reducing single-use plastics, supporting sustainable suppliers, encouraging sustainable transport, and promoting wellness through healthy choices and mindful activities. By fostering a sustainable and health-conscious environment, we aim to make this event a positive model and experience.
Please look out for:
- Minimal use of single use plastics
- Use of local suppliers for delegate bags
- Compact printing
- Promotion of public transport
- Walking where possible
- Healthy menus
- Recycling
- Encouraging the use of refillable water bottles
Please support us with these initiatives as far as you can - thank you