Showcase
A look back at a year of intensive research and discussions: Point Alpha Research Institute in 2024
In 2024, our events provided a platform for critical discussions on democracy, migration, European identity, and historical perspectives. Collaborations with renowned universities and scholars enriched debates and led to meaningful academic exchanges. The success of the Emerging Scholars program fostered young academic voices, while international symposiums strengthened cross-border partnerships.
Positive impact
The past year was characterized by an impressive variety of events that facilitated knowledge sharing among experts, students, and policymakers, leading to actionable insights and enhanced interdisciplinary dialogue. Public participation increased significantly, reflecting a growing interest in contemporary political and historical issues.
The book presentations, such as “Collapse, Crisis, or Resilience? Democracy in the 21st Century” and “Politicisation, Democratisation and EU Identity,” fostered deep discussions on democratic evolution. Workshops like “Emerging Scholars” and “German and Polish Perspectives on Migration, Refugee, and Border Policy in Europe” provided essential forums for interdisciplinary dialogue.
Additionally, the public discussion events, such as the “Geisa talks” and master classes on Cold War history, such as “The Inner-German Border,” brought together researchers, students, citizens and policymakers to analyze key historical and contemporary issues. Collaborations with institutions such as the University of Erfurt, HS Fulda, TU Darmstadt, and international partners strengthened research networks and academic exchanges
Challenges
Despite the progress made over the past year, the Point Alpha Research Institute’s field of research continues to face significant challenges. One of the key challenges is to keep pace with the rapid evolution of global political landscapes. Ever-changing geopolitical relationships, technological advances and social upheavals require continuous adaptation of research approaches and methods. Similarly, the increasing restrictions on the international exchange of ideas and knowledge are a hurdle that must be overcome. The Institute is faced with the task of finding innovative ways to maintain interdisciplinary dialog while meeting the demands of a changing world. The coming years offer the opportunity to address these challenges and develop new perspectives to further advance research in the field of democracy, conflicts and Border Studies. Only through continued and bold engagement with these challenges can we ensure comprehensive and relevant research that has a lasting impact on shaping our global future.
List of events
- Book presentation "Collapse, Crisis, or Resilience? Democracy in the 21st Century" as part of the lecture series "Europe in the World," in collaboration with the Fulda Centre of Transnational Governance, featuring Wolfgang Merkel (Emeritus, Berlin Social Science Center) and Veith Selk (TU Darmstadt), followed by a discussion in Fulda.
- Master Class “Borders in/and Biographies” by Christine Domke and Matthias Klemm (HS Fulda) in Geisa
- Scenic reading "Torn Worlds – Kaleidoscope of Memories" with Franziska Jacobi and Agnès Arp (University of Erfurt) in Geisa.
- Book presentation "Politicisation, Democratisation, and EU Identity: National EU Discourses in Germany and France" by Claudia Wiesner, followed by a discussion in Fulda.
- Emerging Scholars Workshop in Erfurt in cooperation with HS Fulda, the University of Erfurt, and the University of Mannheim.
- International workshop "German and Polish Perspectives on Migration, Refugee, and Border Policy in Europe" with Agnieszka Satola (HS Fulda) in Fulda.
- Master Class 'The Inner-German Border: Political, Technical, and Cultural Historical Perspectives' by Reinhild Kreis (University of Siegen) in Geisa
- International Symposium 'From Cold War Liberalism to Postliberalism' in cooperation with Veith Selk and Julian Nicolai Hofman (TU Darmstadt) in Geisa
- Master Class 'The Inner-German Border' by Philipp Gassert (University of Mannheim) in Leipzig and Geisa
- Public Panel Discussion '35 Years After the Peaceful Revolution - Visions of Future Democracy' with Carsten Schneider (Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany) in Erfurt
- The GDR After the GDR. East German Life Paths' by Agnès Arp (University of Erfurt) in Erfurt
- Emerging Scholars Workshop in cooperation with the University of Erfurt, University of Applied Sciences Fulda, University of Siegen, and University of Mannheim in Erfurt
- Geisa Talk 'Atomic Childhood' with Joachim Brenner (University of Heidelberg) in cooperation with the Point Alpha Foundation in Geisa
- International Symposium 'Of Law and the World' in cooperation with Alexandra Kemmerer (MPI Heidelberg) in Geisa
- Public Panel Discussion 'On the Border: International Law Between Decline and Reorganization?' with David Kennedy (Harvard University), Martti Koskenniemi (University of Helsinki) (University of Würzburg), Florian Hoffmann (Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro), Alexandra Kemmerer (MPIL Heidelberg/Berlin), and Claudia Wiesner (University of Applied Sciences Fulda)
In 2024, the Point Alpha Research Institute not only expanded knowledge, but also built bridges between research and the public. The events of the past year reflect the Institute’s commitment to a profound examination of the pressing issues of our time and give us hope that the knowledge gained will have a lasting impact on the shaping of the world.
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