PINT OF SCIENCE second edition: PUB MEETS PUBLICATION

Students from the Master's degree program in Sports, Culture & Event Management once again brought the Pint of Science festival to Kufstein this year. On two evenings in May, researchers, students and Kufstein residents gathered in the BAU! bar to discuss scientific topics in a relaxed atmosphere over a cool refreshing drink. The event was held once in German and once in English under the motto Star Technology and Our Society.

FINANCIAL EDUCATION, AI TECHNOLOGIES & SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION METHODS

On the first evening, which was held in German, Prof. (FH) Dr Dominika Galkiewicz, Professor of Finance, Accounting and Auditing, explained investment behaviour in uncertain times and Prof. (FH) Dr Peter Dietrich, Head of International Business Studies, shed light on advances in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). On the second evening, on which the lectures were held in English, Asc. Prof (FH) Michael Petke, MA, Professor of Industrial Engineering, presented additive manufacturing as a production method, while Asc. Prof (FH) Mark Romanelli, MBA, Professor of Strategic Management, analysed the conflict between compulsory helmets and bicycle rental systems. This was based on the master's thesis of alumni Jan Strecha, who graduated from the Sports, Culture & Event Management program in 2024 and now works as Head of Marketing at Rekola Bikesharing.

A TOAST TO SCIENCE

A total of 59 guests took part in the two-day event, almost twice as many as last year. The presentations were followed by short Q&A sessions and a small science quiz with prizes for the audience. In order to emphasise the festival character and make science more accessible outside the formal academic setting, BAU!Bar on the lower town square in Kufstein was once again chosen as the venue this year. The students in charge of planning and organising the event this year were able to build on the experience of their predecessors, who launched the event in the fortress town in 2024. In line with the sustainability strategy of FH Kufstein Tirol, the event was recognised as a Green Event Tirol Basic for the first time. Under the leadership of practical project coach Prof. (FH) Dr Louis Moustakas, the practical project group tailored the programme to both the goals of social commitment and the practice of applied event management. The team was once again able to secure Sparkasse Kufstein as the main sponsor for the second edition.

The two biggest challenges for the team were coordinating the schedule for all pre-event tasks and creating a contingency plan in the event of a cancellation. For example, both marketing and securing the environmental certificate were dependent on finalising the venue and could therefore not be progressed independently of each other. Ticket sales harboured a further risk: forward-looking planning was required in order to sell enough tickets. In order to boost ticket sales, the practical project group drew up a detailed marketing calendar, communicated proactively with stakeholders and worked out a comprehensive refund protocol with sufficient buffer time before the event dates. These measures enabled the students to achieve their goal of bringing science closer to the population of Kufstein. The strong ticket sales at the box office also demonstrated the interest in the event. In particular, the informal atmosphere, the pub quiz and the attractively organised lectures were seen as an enrichment by the guests.

"Being able to help organise the Pint of Science in Kufstein was a valuable practical experience for us. On both evenings, the venue was all about science - and we were able to put our knowledge of event management directly into practice: from the initial idea to planning and realisation. These insights give us a lot of confidence and motivation for future projects," explains Awoomie Kofi, a student on the Master's program in Sports, Culture & Event Management and part of the Pint of Science Kufstein 2025 organisation team.

about Pint of Science Kufstein

The Pint of Science festival in Kufstein was launched in 2024 by Master's students on the Sports, Culture & Event Management program at the Kufstein University of Applied Sciences as part of the Austria-wide Pint of Science initiative alongside Vienna, Salzburg, Graz and St. Pölten. Designed as a barrier-free culture and science festival, it brings scientific discussions into public spaces such as bars and pubs. The Kufstein version integrates local academic voices and a regional audience and is organised annually by students as a practical project as part of the curriculum. The event is designed to be informal and interactive and encourages audience participation and engagement.

Links: 

• Sports, Culture & Event Management | ft
• Pint of Science Austria | Website