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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 public lecture “The Dark Side of Artificial Light”, presented by Stefanie Suchy, took place on 24 November 2025 at the Vienna Planetarium Lecture Hall and was successfully delivered in German.
The lecture explored the importance of natural darkness for humans, animals, and plants, highlighted the growing subject of light pollution, and discussed the effects of artificial light at night as well as approaches to its responsible use.
The event was attended by 18 participants on site. In addition, the lecture was offered as an online webinar via MyVHS and attracted a further 50 participants online, enabling broader public engagement beyond the venue.
Presenter: Stefanie Suchy, Head of Light Pollution at the Tyrol Competence Center for Light Pollution and Night Skies - Helle Not
The science workshop “From Sea of Lights to Nature Night”, presented by Stefanie Suchy and conducted in German, took place on 26 November 2025. Designed as a small-group format to encourage direct observation, discussion, and engagement, the workshop welcomed 18 registered participants.
The event combined a short introductory lecture at the Vienna Planetarium with an evening science walk in the nearby park. Participants explored the scientific significance of artificial light at night, examining outdoor lighting, light colour, and their effects on the surrounding night environment. Through hands-on observation, the workshop highlighted why understanding and managing artificial light is important for ecosystems, human well-being, and the preservation of natural darkness.
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)
Presenter: Johannes Weninger, Team Lead, Research, Bartenbach GmbH
Date & Time: Thursday, March 12, 2026 | 19:15 (Vienna time)
Location: Vienna Planetarium Lecture Hall
Light is far more than just a medium for vision. It shapes our environment, our spaces, and our well-being. At the same time, light can have both positive and negative effects. Its impact is always relative and highly context-dependent, arising from the interplay of time of day, surroundings, usage, and individual needs.
The lecture explores light and lighting from multiple perspectives, highlighting the connections between its visual, health-related, ecological, and energetic aspects. It explains how light influences our perception of spaces and colours, how it can support mood, sleep, and health, and how overexposure or improper lighting can produce negative effects. The talk also considers the role of light in energy consumption, sustainability, and environmental friendliness, and how thoughtful architectural design can help make optimal use of lighting.
The aim is to provide a comprehensive and accessible understanding of the diverse effects of light and to show how it can be used consciously, in ways that are beneficial for both health and the environment. The lecture is intended for all interested participants, regardless of prior knowledge.
Registration will be available soon through our main implementation partner, VHS.
The walking tour will be guided by Ms. Iris Podgorschek (Podpod Design), Mr. Gerald Wötzl (MA33), and Mr. Wilfried Gröblinger (City of Vienna, MA 34).
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 18:30 (Vienna time)
Location: Starting point Vienna Urania
Experience Vienna on a light walk guided by leading experts. You will discover Vienna’s innovative street lighting and its benefits, as well as examples of contemporary architectural lighting. The tour begins at the Vienna Urania with a short introduction and concludes with a lighting show at Vienna City Hall.
Further information will be available soon. Registration will be available through our main implementation partner, VHS.
Date: Friday, May 15 | 15:00 (CEST)
Presenter: TBD
Location: Online, through Zoom
The CIE invites you to join its upcoming special webinar on the topic of light pollution, in celebration of the International Day of Light 2026 (May 16). The webinar will take place on Friday, May 15, as the International Day of Light falls on a Saturday this year.
The webinar will explore how science-based approaches can inform responsible lighting design—balancing the benefits of light for safety and wellbeing with the need to protect the environment and preserve the night sky. The session is open to the interested public and the light and lighting community, including students and early-career professionals.
Light pollution is also an important subject of ongoing and recent CIE work, including studies and discussions presented at the CIE 2025 Midterm Meeting held in Vienna in July 2025. In addition, the CIE recently release its Position Statement on Obtrusive Light and Light Pollution, summarising the latest scientific understanding and providing practical recommendations for mitigating the unwanted effects of light at night.
Stay tuned for further updates! Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter for speaker details and registration information.
Presenter: Dr. Florian Stuker, Head of Laboratory Optics, Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS)
Moderator: Marlene Nowotny, Science journalist and editor at Ö1.
Date: Monday, 8 June, 2026 | 19:00
Location: Festsaal of the Vienna City Hall
Join this distinguished lecture and discussion on light pollution topic, presented in collaboration with the Wiener Vorlesungen (Vienna Lectures). Mr. Stuker will deliver a 30–40 minute lecture, followed by an on-stage conversation moderated by Marlene Nowotny. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with cutting-edge insights and join the conversation firsthand!
Artificial light at night has become an integral part of our daily lives. It helps us stay safe after sunset—whether walking, cycling, or driving. It allows us to work, travel, or attend cultural events in the evening. Illuminated buildings and monuments also help keep our cultural heritage visible and alive.
Yet as useful as light at night is, it also brings challenges. Excessive or poorly designed lighting can affect our health by disrupting sleep and disturbing our natural day–night rhythm. Star gazing is also impacted—light pollution makes city skies so bright that many stars are barely visible. Animals and plants are affected as well: many species rely on darkness to navigate, hunt, or reproduce, and artificial light can confuse or endanger them. Plants, too, depend on natural rhythms, as darkness is essential for regulating processes such as growth.
This lecture explores how we can enjoy the benefits of outdoor lighting without harming people, nature, or the night sky. By managing light and darkness responsibly, we can protect our environment while still enjoying safe and beautifully lit nights.
Further information will be available soon. Registration will be available through Wiener Vorlesungen website.