Sabrina Patsch

Alumna Sabrina Patsch switched from quantum physics to science journalism and is a successful science slammer

Sabrina Patsch describes her Physics degree at the University of Kassel as a journey through the history of Physics: "You start with the teachings of antiquity, then come classical basics such as Kepler's astronomy or Newton's mechanics. At some point, you end up in the modern era with the theory of relativity and quantum physics. I found this structured learning very cool!" At the beginning of her studies at the AVZ in Oberzwehren, she missed the typical campus life at the centrally located Holländischer Platz, but found a community of like-minded people. "I just knew that everyone walking around there was a bit of a nerd," says Patsch with a grin. "So it was totally okay to be one of them."

She was surprised by university mathematics, which is considered challenging in physics courses. "We pulled ourselves together, sat down and worked through the exercises together," she reports. We were already familiar with homework from our school days. She experienced the advantages of small student groups particularly on the Master's course. In one lecture, only one other fellow student had registered. "The professor thought it was silly to stand at the front of the blackboard. So the three of us sat together like on a couch," Patsch recalls. That demanded constant attention. "That's why I still know everything about ultrashort laser pulses today," she says with a laugh.

Patsch already shared her enthusiasm for Physics during her studies. She was involved in events such as Physics Day and Girls' Day to introduce pupils to the fascination of her subject. She deepened her ability to explain complex topics clearly throughout her studies and during her doctorate by leading exercise groups herself. "When you explain something to others, you quickly realize whether you have really understood it yourself," says Patsch today.

She realized that "talking about science" can be a job during a seminar as part of her doctoral scholarship at the German National Academic Foundation. There she met a science journalist whose profession fascinated her. So she began to try her hand as a communicator: The quantum physicist started the blog "Physicus Minimus" and wrote for specialist journals such as Physics Journal. She became German runner-up in 2021 with a science slam in which she vividly explained how she makes atoms dance to her tune.

At the end of her doctorate, she had to make a fundamental decision. She had two offers on her desk: a postdoctoral position in science and a journalistic traineeship at the Berlin newspaper Tagesspiegel. "I wanted something more predictable, but still close to science," she says, explaining her decision to switch to journalism.

Today, Patsch works as a science editor for c't - Magazin für Computertechnik. There, she is responsible for research topics and can regularly report on Physics - often even on quantum physics, which she has covered throughout her professional training. "This is much more than I had hoped for," she says. In the fall of 2024, she returned to the experimental physics labs at the University of Kassel for a report. Her article describes how researchers there use DIY tools and microcontrollers to control their experiments.

Sabrina Patsch's experiences - from intensive exchange in small study groups to her involvement in events such as the Day of Physics - laid the foundation for her successful career in science journalism. She proves that a degree in physics can not only open doors in research, but also in completely different areas where precise thinking and enthusiasm for science are required.

This article appeared in the university magazine publik 2025/1. Text: Vanessa Laspe