background image is designed by starline - Freepik.com
About the Project
The CIE is pleased to announce the approval of the CIE project, “Understanding Science - Understanding Light” funded by the Vienna Business Agency. Officially running from 1 January 2025 to 30 June 2026, this initiative will spotlight two key topics: “Light Pollution” and “Light and Health”, fostering public understanding of the impact of light on our lives. These initiatives are closely tied to the CIE 2025 Midterm Meeting, taking place in Vienna, and aim to make the CIE’s work more accessible to a broader audience. The project will simplify complex topics within the diverse field of light and lighting, including the pressing issue of light pollution and the emerging connection between light and health. Through a series of engaging events, it will foster greater public understanding of these issues and their multifaceted impacts.
The project’s events will be held either in German or English, with a special focus on engaging local audiences in Vienna, Austria. Updates with dates, locations, and event details will be published on this page as they become available. People in Austria should look forward to these events, which will offer great opportunities for learning and engagement.
Aim of the Project
- Communicate relevant, up-to-date research knowledge and make the role of science and the importance of scientifically validated knowledge clearly recognizable for the individual through various events, especially on the two focal points of light pollution and light & health.
- An understanding of the role of scientific knowledge in the search for practical solutions should be promoted, thereby counteracting a simplistic understanding of science (e.g. when data is confused with interpretations or solutions).
- Help to ensure that as many people as possible are interested in science and scientific/technical careers in the long term. The attractive topics can show in concrete terms how degree courses (e.g. physics, electrical engineering) can lead to extremely interesting careers.
- Strengthen the networks between research and practice (society/industry/new talent) in Vienna/Austria in order to sustainably promote the anchoring and impact of the CIE community.
Project Partners
The CIE is proud to collaborate with the following partners:
Main Implementation Partner:
- VHS Wien (Volkshochschule), supporting venue arrangements and communications
Community Partner:
- CIE National Committee Austria / Lichttechnische Gesellschaft (LTG) Österreich
Lead Partners on Light Pollution:
- Tyrol Competence Centre on Light Pollution and Dark Skies (The Plight with Light) - an initiative of the Tyrolean Environmental Ombudsoffice (Tiroler Umweltanwaltschaft)
- Kuffner Observatory
- MA 33 Wien Leuchtet (City of Vienna Lighting Department)
Lead Partners on Light and Health:
- Prof. Manuel Spitschan, TU Munich (Chronobiology and Health) & Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics
- Bartenbach Research – The Lighting Innovators
Project Events
Celebrate the International Day of Light with the CIE on May 16th, 2025! Join us for an exclusive CIE webinar exploring the vital connections between light and human health. Titled “How does light affect human health? From biology to application”, the webinar will be presented by Prof. Dr. Manuel Spitschan, Professor of Chronobiology & Health at the Technical University of Munich & Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics. Dr. Jennifer Veitch, CIE President, will open the webinar with an introduction to the CIE, an overview of the new CIE project "Understanding Science - Understanding Light", and a welcome to our speaker.
- Date & Time: May 16, 2025, 15:00 (CEST) - via Zoom
- Duration: 1.5 hours (including Q&A session)
- Registration is required. Secure your spot HERE
Recording is now available (English)
As part of the CIE project, you can also watch the recording of this webinar with German subtitles! Watch HERE.
As part of the CIE 2025 Scientific Conference, the CIE project Understanding Science – Understanding Light was excited to have a dedicated exhibition booth open throughout the three-day event, from 7 to 9 July 2025. The booth served as a vibrant hub for engaging with attendees, featuring bilingual (German and English) project materials including banners, posters, and flyers.
Throughout the conference, project partners were actively present at the stand, sharing insights related to the conference theme and showcasing their involvement in the project. Their presence brought visibility to the project's objectives and helped foster conversations around light, health, and light pollution.
As part of the CIE Project “Understanding Science – Understanding Light”, the keynote lectures from the CIE 2025 Scientific Conference (held from 7–9 July 2025 in Vienna) are being made publicly available—with German subtitles.
The German subtitles support the project’s aim to engage a broad audience in Vienna, Austria, making scientific topics around light more accessible to the local population.
Keynote #1 - "The Multifaceted Impacts of Light-pollution" by Dr. Dietmar Hager
Watch the first keynote lecture on our Vimeo channel HERE.
Keynote #2 - "Applications of Artificial Intelligence in the Colour Industries" by Prof. Stephen Westland
Watch the second keynote lecture on our Vimeo channel HERE.
Keynote #3 - "Light and Human Health" by Prof. George Brainard
Watch the last keynote lecture on our Vimeo channel HERE.
Presenter: Stefanie Suchy, Head of Light Pollution at the Tyrol Competence Center for Light Pollution and Night Skies - Helle Not
The lecture will explore the importance of natural darkness for humans, animals, and plants, highlight the growing issue of light pollution, and discuss the effects of artificial light at night and how it can be used responsibly.
Date & Time: November 24, 2025, 18:00 (CET) - Vienna Planetarium
The lecture will be conducted in German. For more information and registration please visit HERE. (German)
The event will also be available as an online webinar. Registration for the webinar is available exclusively through MyVHS. For further details please visit HERE. (German)
Presenter: Stefanie Suchy, Head of Light Pollution at the Tyrol Competence Center for Light Pollution and Night Skies - Helle Not
The workshop offers participants of all ages a chance to explore artificial light at night through a short introduction and an evening walk observing outdoor lighting, light colour, and the surrounding night environment.
Date & Time: November 26, 2025, 18:00 (CET) - Lecture at the Vienna Planetarium followed by a science walk in the park.
The workshop/science walk will be conducted in German. For more information and registration please visit HERE. (German)
Presenters: Mr. Gerhard Grasnek, Deputy Head of MA33, Project Manager for the LED Conversion, Wien Leuchtet | Dr. Günther Wuchterl, Director of the Kuffner Observatory
Date & Time: December 19, 2025, 19:30 (CET) - Lecture at the Vienna Planetarium Dome
The presentation at the Planetarium dome will showcase an international flagship project of the city of Vienna, demonstrating how technology, innovation, and science work together to improve urban life.
The lecture will be conducted in German. For more information and registration please visit HERE. (German)