Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine MEVIS
Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine MEVIS

Bianka Hofmann

  • Head of Science Engagement

Bianka Hofmann initiates, produces, and directs intersectional projects leveraging deep scientific knowledge within programs, productions, services, and workshops across science, health, digital medicine, software, (higher) education, and public engagement, integrating art.

She challenges participants of diverse backgrounds to develop self-efficacy when dealing with science and tech, aiming for a more diverse and inclusive research and development landscape. She has delivered awe-inspiring award-winning immersive experiences encompassing 2D-large-scale and 3D short films and designed and led an international artist residency program at a research institution, including participatory STEAM courses, to stimulate critical dialog about and widen the ownership of new technologies.  ​

She studied Biology and Comparative Religion at the University of Bremen, writing her interdisciplinary Diploma thesis on ritualization. These studies led to a Ph.D. admission based on a ”Degree Equivalent to a Mathematical-Scientific Study” and a “Diploma in Comparative Religion.” They included aspects of Behavioral Biology, Bioacoustics, Cognitive Science, Neurobiology, Marine Biology, Theory of Religion and Culture, and Theory of Science. She focused on communication in highly evolved mammals, interspecies communication, neurobiology of teaching and learning, and the evolution of symbol building, conducting several field studies on Pilot Whales that contributed to the “Code of Conduct” near the Canary Islands, where she was involved in environmental protection activities. She has published scientifically in behavioral biology, visualization, art, tech, and science, is trained as a cognitive behavioral coach, has also run her own companies, and works presently as Head of Science Engagement at the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine MEVIS.

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Bianka Hofmann, Sabrina Tölken (2022). Poster Presentation "STEAM Imaging IV: Connecting Digital Medicine with the Arts, Future Generations, and the Community. A Case Study” at the Forum Wissenschaftskommunikation 2022, “Shaping transformation – Science communication for a changing society” 4 – 6 October 2022, Leibniz University Hannover.

Barnaby Churchill Steel, Kate Farrell, Bianka Hofmann (2021). The Tides Within Us. Conference: SA '21: SIGGRAPH Asia 2021. DOI:10.1145/3476123.3487872

Bianka Hofmann; Linking Science and Technology with Arts and the Next Generation: The STEAM Imaging Experimental Artist Residency, A Case Study. Leonardo 2021; 54 (2): 185–190. DOI:10.1162/leon_a_01792

Bianka Hofmann, Sabrina Haase, Alexander Köhn (2017). Poster Presentation “An Artist-in-Residency Including Pupils – Foster Engagement With, and Ownership of Future Technology” at the Workshop AESTHETICS get SYNTHETIC: KLAS Knowledge Link Through Art & Science, November 27, 2017, Potsdam

Rieder, C., Brachmann C., Hofmann, B., Klein, J., Köhn, A., Ojdanic, D., Schumann, D., Weiler, F. and Hahn, H. K. (2013). Interactive Visualization of Neuroanatomical Data for a Hands-On Multimedia Exhibit. EuroVis Workshop on Visualization in Medicine and Life Sciences (VMLS), Leipzig, Germany.

Scheer, M., Hofmann, B., Behr, I.P. (2004). Ethogram of selected behaviors initiated by shortfinned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and directed towards human swimmers during open water encounters. Anthrozoös 17(3): 244-257. 
DOI:10.2752/089279304785643267

Scheer, M. and Hofmann, B: The Dolphin Space Program, in: Krankendienst 1 (2004) 12–15, (German language).

Hofmann, B., Scheer, M. & Behr, I.P. (2004) Underwater behaviors of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) off Tenerife. Mammalia 68(2-3): 221-224. Cover photography of volume 68(2-3).
DOI:10.1515/mamm.2004.020

Scheer, M., Hofmann, B. & Behr, I.P. (2003) Vocalizations of free-ranging short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus ) off Tenerife: signal repertoire and characteristics. European Research on Cetaceans 17.

Hofmann, B. (1998): Kann die verhaltensbiologische Beschreibung ritualisierten Verhaltens
dazu beitragen, religiös ritualisiertes Verhalten zu verstehen? Interdisciplinary diploma thesis (Comparative Religion, Biology).

Scheer, M. Hofmann, B. & Behr, P.I. (1998a). Interactions between whale watching vessels and short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) off the southwest coast of Tenerife, Canary Islands: Behavioural implications. Reportto Viceconsejería de Medio Ambiente, 41 pages.

Scheer, M., Hofmann, B. & Behr, P.I. (1998b). Discrete pod-specific call repertoires among shortfinned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) off the SW coast of Tenerife, Canary Islands. Abstract World Marine Mammal Science Conference, 20-24. January, Monaco by European Cetacean Society and Society for Marine Mammalogy.

Free-range interaction research
I researched inter-species communication, collected field data, analyzed, and published the outcome of three field studies of short-finned pilot whales in the Atlantic off the Canary Islands in 1994, 1996, and 2001. The research results have contributed to a code of conduct and specific protective measures for short-finned pilot whales off the southwest coast of Tenerife.

University of Bremen – Comparative Religion, Diploma in Comparative Religion Sciences, 1998. Interdisciplinary Thesis.
University of Bremen – Biology, completion recognized by Humboldt University of Berlin to be the equivalent of a Mathematics and Science Diploma Graduate Degree Programme, admission to begin doctoral studies in the Department of Biology, 1999.

Half-year training as a Cognitive Behavioral Coach, Institut für kontextuelle Studien, Bielefeld, 1995.

Industry Award for Best Animation, Raw Science Film Festival 2024, NY, USA. Director, jointly with Barnaby Steel, Writer, and Science Communicator of the short documentary "We Flow into the World, and the World Flows into Us - The Beauty of Blood Flow”

Nominated as a finalist for the Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year 2022 in Art and Science

Jury Mention for Storyscapes Award at Tribeca Festival 2022 for ‘EVOLVER;’ Project Lead at Fraunhofer MEVIS of the cross-sectoral partnership with Marshmallow Laser Feast

Honorary Mention at the STARTS Prize 2021; STARTS (Science, Technology & the Arts), an initiative of the European Commission, launched under the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. Research Partnership Development and Project Lead at Fraunhofer MEVIS for the cross-sectoral project The Tides Within Us; Marshmallow Laser Feast (MLF) in collaboration with Natan Sinigaglia and Fraunhofer MEVIS

Industry Award for Best Visual Effects; Raw Science Film Festival 2020, CA, USA. Sci-Art Producer and Project Developer of short film "Quantum Logos" (vision serpent); media artists Mark Chavez and Ina Conradi teamed up with Bianka Hofmann and Bob Kastner

Industry Award for Best Infographic; Raw Science Film Festival 2019, CA, USA. Director and Sci-Art Producer of the short film "Digital Medicine, Arts, and STEAM: BEFORE US LIES ETERNERDY," jointly with Alexander Köhn and Mathias Neugebauer; Fraunhofer MEVIS   

Industry Award for Best Immersive Media; Raw Science Film Festival 2018, CA, USA. Director and Sci-Art Producer of short film "Beauty of Blood Flow Analysis," jointly with Alexander Köhn and Mathias Neugebauer; Fraunhofer MEVIS