Christian Scharun - 2021 Science Breakthrough
From Competition to Collaboration: Christian Scharun’s Journey from Lab Participant to Professional Science Communicator
Christian Scharun is a climate researcher from Germany who holds a PhD in physics and won the Falling Walls Lab Karlsruhe in 2021 with his innovative project, "Breaking the Wall of Greenhouse Gas Emissions." Winning the Falling Walls Lab Competition marked the beginning of his journey into science communication. Just a year later, he won another pitch competition, FameLab Germany, and within two years, he was working full-time in the field.
Scharun initially saw himself continuing as a climate researcher, but his experience at Falling Walls Lab opened unexpected doors. “The plans I had during and directly after the summit were completely different from how things actually developed,” he recalls. “I never dared to dream that science communication could be a profession for me.”
Today, he is a writer at the production company bildundtonfabrik for the popular German science TV show MaiThink X. His role allows him to deepen viewers' understanding of scientific issues, inspire action, and contribute to public discourse, all while ensuring that scientific content is communicated accurately and engagingly.
He believes that science communication is essential for bridging the gap between complex scientific concepts and public understanding, as it helps people make informed decisions and counter disinformation. In climate research, effective communication is especially crucial for raising awareness, influencing policy, and inspiring future generations to take action, he explains.
Participating in the Falling Walls Science Summit not only shaped Scharun's career path but also left a lasting personal impact. One moment that particularly stands out to him is the first evening in Berlin, when he met the other participants for the first time. “I can't remember how many of us were there, but there must have been 70 people from all over the world,” he recalls. This unique experience of being in a room with people from so many different nations, all united by science, was something he had never encountered before.
“What I expected was competition. What I experienced was great solidarity, respect, tolerance, and diversity,” he says. The shared values among participants fostered strong bonds, and some of the friendships he made at the global Falling Walls Lab finale in Berlin have lasted to this day.
Christian Scharun's alumni story highlights the significant impact of Falling Walls Lab in developing both professional and personal connections. From pitching solutions to the urgent issue of climate change to becoming a full-time science communicator, his journey demonstrates how global collaboration in science can drive meaningful change—both in society and in individual lives.
For more information, follow Christian Scharun on LinkedIn.
