‘Out of the ivory tower and into the public arena’ – this could be the unofficial motto of the Open Research Laboratory, a fully equipped scanning probe microscopy laboratory for nano-scale research uniquely situated in the public area of the Deutsches Museum. In this concept, young scientists are relocated from their dark, inaccessible basement laboratories and brought into the bright public space of the museum. They conduct their research work live in the midst of the exhibitions whilst answering questions and engaging the visitors in discussion, offering them insights into the processes and methods of a modern microscopic laboratory. Thus, the Open Research Laboratory creates a public space for dialogue and debate between scientists and lay persons in a neutral public setting, successfully tackling the problem posed by Field and Powell that ‘few people [. . .] know what research is being conducted, much less understand why it is being done and what the potential implications may be’ (Field & Powell, 2001).

More than ever it is important for society to comprehend the processes of science as our communal future is being developed in research laboratories. Our ever-increasing dependency on technology, however, contrasts with a more and more sceptical, sometimes even critical, public view of modern research. Yet it is vital that lay people be given the opportunity to comprehend the aspects of science and technology that affect and even alter their daily lives. At the same time each individual researcher should strive to gain an understanding of the implications of their work, not only within their field as a whole, but also within society. As Bruno Latour says, ‘Science and society cannot be separated, they depend on the same foundation. They are like two branches of power defined by the same constitution: If you alter the separation of powers, you immediately alter both the view of what science is and of what society can do’ (Latour, 1998). By giving young scientists an opportunity to conduct their work in public and challenging them to communicate it in a forum that encourages debate and discussion, the Open Research Laboratory responds to this need of reintegrating science into society.