Well-Attended Event: Campus St. Pölten Welcomes 900 Visitors to Long Night of Research

Strong interest in Long Night of Research: Approximately 900 guests visited the Campus St. Pölten on 24 April 2026 – likewise, the city centre of St. Pölten became a hub for those eager for knowledge. True to the Long Night of Research’s motto “Mitmachen. Staunen. Entdecken.“ (participate, marvel, discover), USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten and the Bertha von Suttner Private University St. Pölten contributed a diverse programme for all age groups. Exciting experiments, individual insights into ongoing research projects, and an entertaining framework programme were very popular with the audience. Major attractions included the interactive science theatre of the “Zirkus des Wissens” (Circus of Knowledge) and the captivating science cabaret presented by the Science Busters.

Without an entrance fee, the visitors had the opportunity to find out what the researchers of USTP and the Bertha von Suttner Private University are working on, explore the labs on campus, and experience innovative research up close. 

“For us at USTP, it is of central importance to render research tangible in open exchange with the public. Real innovation is created when people of all generations are involved, get to ask questions, and discover new things together”, says Angelika Czedik-Eysenberg, site coordinator for the Long Night of Research at USTP.

From left to right:  Michael Wininger, Christine Haselbacher, Franz Fidler, Karin Herzog, Johann Haag, City Councillor Renate Gamsjäger, Hannes Raffaseder, Florian Krumböck (© Rauchecker / LNF NÖ 2026)

Audience Highlights: Circus of Knowledge and Science Busters

Among the evening’s highlights were two performances of the “Circus of Knowledge” that inspired children and adults alike. The main character of the interactive play was the nuclear physicist Madame Wu who is hailed as the “Chinese Marie Curie”. The science cabaret called Science Busters by biologist and evolutionary psychologist Elisabeth Oberzaucher, who presented scientific knowledge in a humorous manner, brought the evening to an entertaining close. These programme items were much in demand and fully booked fast due to the limited number of places.

Numerous interactive stations offered an opportunity for the visitors to experience USTP’s research activities live – from media and communications through management and digital technologies to computer science and AI, security, rail technology, health, and social sciences.

The young researcher’s pass for children and the guided tours of the campus and its labs were further programme highlights. The evening was rounded off by an atmospheric Science Music Chillout with “Science Bar” in the Large Assembly Hall.

Research up Close in St. Pölten Inner City

For the first time, the inner city of St. Pölten offered further opportunities for those thirsty for knowledge to immerse themselves in the world of research at USTP. In three different locations, USTP provided insights into its current research work:

On the site of the Private University College of Teacher Education (KPH), visitors could participate in USTP’s citizen science project “SINN – Stärkung inklusiver und nachhaltiger Nachbarschaften” and contribute their notions and experiences concerning good neighbourly relations. This project of the Ilse Arlt Institute for Social Inclusion Research is supported by the Gesellschaft für Forschungsförderung NÖ.

Turning the Town Hall Square into a Temporary Stage for Experimental Media

In the Town Hall Square, a gigantic Sky Dancer rose up as a dancing sculpture between celebration, irritation, and urban choreography. Smoke rings and cloud tracks dominated the image. Wind, movement, and light combined and offered the visitors a short-lived yet impressive performance. This contribution was designed by the master class “Experimental Media” of USTP’s study programme Digital Design and offered a foretaste of the “Lucid Dreams happy Palace” festival taking place on 22 and 23 May 2026.

USTP CityLounge Takes Research into Inner City

The USTP CityLounge, which is in the process of being newly created, offered another opportunity for visitors to experience current research projects as well as digital and experimental media art of USTP. Within the framework of the Long Night of Research, the location opened its doors for the first time and offered an exclusive glimpse of this future meeting space.

Alfred, Bertha, and Peace

At the Campus St. Pölten, a stand of the Bertha von Suttner Private University was dedicated to peace and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. This was partly occasioned by the 120th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize’s awarding to Bertha von Suttner. Visitors plunged into the world of Bertha von Suttner, gained insights into current research results for the promotion of health, wellbeing, and public welfare in the digital age, and encountered researchers in historical costumes reminiscent of Bertha von Suttner and Alfred Nobel. Moreover, they jointly designed a large-scale artwork made of individually painted peace doves that makes the topic of peace tangible in a meaningful manner.

• USTP CityLounge Takes Research into Inner City