We turn science into stories that move people — for a society that wonders, understands and shapes its future.

Our drive

A future worth living in

Zum Staunen* is a creative studio for science communication. From grant proposals and research publications to video production and online marketing, we cover the full spectrum. We craft our clients’ research into clear, engaging creative work and bring the people behind it into view, making it accessible and tangible for a wide range of audiences.

Knowledge is power. Power that we believe should be everyone’s. So that people grasp their collective agency and widen what seems possible. Inspired by the familiar, open to the unknown.

We help people understand what is happening in the world and which courses of action the evidence actually supports. That calls for fact-based debate, not entrenched emotional battles. This is how we play an active part in driving and shaping change. Towards informed progress and an ethical, equitable and liveable future, built on solidarity.

How we work

Full-service, in partnership

Our core team is small, nimble and passionate, with over twenty years of experience behind it. Another strength lies in the many bright minds connected to us: a lively network of experts with distinctive skills and perspectives. Together, we find the best solutions.

Full-service, in partnership, becomes possible because we bring together people with the right expertise — and the right chemistry — into tailored project teams. This is how we meet challenges head on and arrive at creative answers with a sense of awe. Our clients call us the Staunis: the ones who marvel.

Permanent and freelance

This is us

Christoph Ph. Nick, M. A.

Owner / Strategy / Creative Director

Strategic science communication – from idea to impact

Science communication does not begin with publication. It begins with asking why. Christoph works alongside research projects as a partner, from the grant application to the public response — with strategic foresight, impact as his compass, a commitment to values, creative solutions and the aim of making research something people can experience. It was this conviction that led him to found »Zum Staunen*« in 2020, a full-service creative studio for science communication.

Areas of focus:
  • Conveying significance: why work matters, for science and for society.
  • From traditional formats to solutions that don’t yet exist — always tailored and with a purpose.
  • Reflection, care and persistence: an informed outside perspective, for results that serve the common good and make a difference.

Special interests:
  • Marine conservation and marine ecosystems
  • Societal transformation: the energy transition, the mobility transition, cleantech
  • Social innovation: practical philosophy, values, ethics, ethos

For researchers looking for a partner who thinks along with them, not just one who delivers.

Colleen Zeller

Concept / Content Creation / Video Production

Colleen has a Master’s degree in Media Concept Creation and brings her high level of creativity and attention to detail to our team as a part-time employee. She supports the team in both the conceptual development and the creative and technical implementation of various audiovisual communication formats.

Jens Hofmayer

Creative Strategy / Brand Development / Communication Design

Jens has been a partner from the very beginning. First-class designer, creative mastermind, chief strategist with insatiable interest, profound knowledge and one of the genuinely good ones. Creative strategist as well as consultant for brand development and humane branding.

Rudolf Weißbecker

Webdesign / WordPress / Development

Rudolf is the fastest and brightest when it comes to web design & development. We are happy to call him “our specialist” for web, WordPress, Elementor & Co.

Filmflow

Film Production / Motion Design / VR

The creative team at Filmflow always keeps a cool head, no matter how many cameras are in use on set or how many tracks are required in After Effects. Our local partner for all things moving image.

Carlo Knaust

DoP / Camera / Colour

Already during his training as a media designer for image and sound, Carlo was involved in various video productions for Zum Staunen*. As a technology enthusiast with great curiosity, a hands-on mentality, quick comprehension, anticipation skills and a well-trained eye for image composition, this freelancer is a gem on set.

Astrid Schicht

Marketing / Social Media

Astrid is a marketing expert through and through. Her comprehensive expertise in brand communication, her open-mindedness, her clear ability to analyse, her attention to detail and her goal-oriented strategic work make her the ideal partner for us when it comes to marketing.

Simon McGowan

Training / Science Slam / Hosting / Children's University / Concept

Simon has been researching bioplastics for 20 years, is passionate about resource efficiency and the circular economy and has been performing on stages across Europe as a science slammer for 10 years. His calm, clear, humorous presentations always lead to a light-bulb moment. Away from the stage, he is appreciated as an attentive listener with an insatiable thirst for knowledge and sharp analytical skills. The ideal sparring partner.

Inga Lütgens

Graphic Design / Animation

Attentive interest, precise observation, careful consideration, sensitive creative implementation. Inga creates well-founded, convincing creative concepts and designs with both intellect and heart, which never cease to inspire us at Zum Staunen*.

 

Mareike Thies

Illustration / Text

Mareike wraps spiky topics into drawings and illustrations. Conducting research, asking questions and understanding are the foundation for pen and imagination.

Michael Cranston

Illustration / Graphic Design

Michael is an inexhaustible source of creativity. His wealth of ideas is unbeatable. His fine graphic style is unique. Our hero for the particularly tricky tasks.

Stefan Türk

Large-format Graphics / Signage / Graphic Design

Stefan is Mr. Wolf of signage & large-format graphics. In a crisis, he really blossoms. In normal operation, he is bubbling over with ideas. A complete professional for graphic craftsmanship, vinyl junkie and walking music encyclopaedia.

Eva Bös

Concept / Text / Proofreading / Editing

As a German scholar and qualified book restorer, Eva combines theory and practice like no other. This is always evident in her clear, structured thinking and sophisticated work. Her concepts and texts speak for themselves.

Angelika Pohl

Editing / Text / Consultancy / Easy & Simple Language

Angelika, also a German scholar, is our first choice when it comes to expertise and empathy for texts in simple and easy language. Her warm and empathetic manner means that working with her doesn’t feel like work.

Katja Faier

Project Assistance / Concept / Research

Katja is a networker, communicator and organiser with an almost inexhaustible wealth of ideas and a thirst for action. She is also able to enrich every collaboration with a unique blend of open mindedness, critical scrutiny and cheerfulness.

Guido Möller

DoP / Camera

Guido is an old-school cameraman. From cinema to TV to advertising, he knows everything from the days of analogue technology, big budgets and fine catering. He has retained his love of moving images and today masters all digital formats. His experience and professionalism make every collaboration a mentoring experience.

Environment, Ethics, Common Good

We care deeply about our environment. After all, this is the only home planet we have. A few things that matter to us:

  • we power our office with Naturstrom green electricity and biogas
  • our hosting with ionos runs on 100% renewable energy
  • we offer a company bike scheme
  • when we have to drive, we use stadtmobil car sharing, preferably electric vehicles
  • we buy second-hand equipment and furniture wherever we can
  • we repair what breaks and support the Right to Repair movement
  • whatever has to be printed goes on Blauer Engel 100% recycled paper as a rule
  • we work with local (eco-certified) printers where possible
  • for our clients, we look for sustainable solutions first

We do not want to stop there. We are grateful for tips and exchange! It is also why we are members of the Economy for the Common Good.

To critically examine and improve how our values translate into the way we run our business, and to make what we do transparent and visible, we have been working on our first ECG report since mid-2025. The process is guided by a certified ECG consultant.

We will submit the finished report for external, independent audit during 2026. Once the Common Good Balance Sheet is complete and we have received our certificate, we will publish the report here as well.

We look forward to joining the pioneering organisations that have gone before us — among them Vaude, Voelkel, FC St. Pauli, taz, Greenpeace Germany and Sonnentor.

🚀 Move science with us!

🚀 Move science with us! 🚀 Move science with us! 🚀 Move science with us! 🚀 Move science with us!

Would you like to help shape things, contribute your ideas and find fulfilment in a meaningful activity?
Then support us in the creative transfer of knowledge!