This international conference invites to discover the link between two current debates in the Social Sciences and the Humanities, that have been rather disconnected so far: the one on the crisis of liberal democracy, and the one on the challenges of the Anthropocene.

Together we want to explore the (future) common ground of research about the features and effects of the Anthropocene and the state of social contracts in recent years. The conference aims to discuss across disciplinary and political divides both on empirics and practices as well as theoretical-conceptual understandings of politics in the Anthropocene. Furthermore, the conference is intended to turn the discussion of different, or maybe seemingly opposed, approaches into a resource for innovative debates and ideas about the future of democratic governance in times of the Anthropocene, that think beyond current crisis diagnosis.

Registration : Participation is free of charge, but advance registration is required as places are limited. If you want to join the discussion as a guest, we kindly ask you to register until December 9th, 2025, by sending an e-mail to muriel.wenzel@sk.hs-fulda.de

Please note that online participation is only possible for the two keynotes and not for other parts of the programme.

Contact : Muriel C. Wenzel muriel.wenzel@sk.hs-fulda.de

The international conference Social Contracts and Democracy in Times of the Anthropocene: Thinking Beyond Crisis (December 16–18, 2025, Fulda, Germany) explores the intersections between the crisis of liberal democracy and the challenges of the Anthropocene. At a time when “polycrises” such as climate change, erosion of democratic norms, and ecological tipping points define our era, we ask how social contracts and democratic governance can be rethought for the future. Bringing together debates from political philosophy, social sciences, and Anthropocene thinking, the conference seeks to connect seemingly opposed approaches as resources for innovative dialogue. We invite contributions that critically engage with democracy, governance, and social contracts under Anthropocene conditions, aiming to imagine collective futures beyond crisis.

• Abstracts: 300-500 Words
• Deadline: October 26, 2025
• Submission: muriel.wenzel@sk.hs-fulda.de

We are delighted to invite you to the lecture series “Europe in the World”, taking place this Winter Term from November 4, 2024, to February 11, 2025, in collaboration with Fulda University of Applied Sciences. The insightful lectures will feature distinguished speakers from the fields of academia, politics, and NGOs, and cover a wide range of topics. We believe you’ll find the series both informative and stimulating.The series will explore Europe’s evolving role in global affairs, focusing on key themes and new political challenges. Talks will cover topics such as the United Nations, democracy, citizen perceptions, Russia´s opposition, and Europe’s responses to current conflicts, among other timely issues. The lecture series offers a unique opportunity for enlarging your knowledge, getting in touch with current academic and political debates, engaging in in-depth discussion, and intellectual exchange, and obtaining a broader understanding of our world. Everyone is welcome to attend a single or several lectures without previous registration.

You can find more information here.

The Point Alpha Research Institute e.V. (PARI), in collaboration with the University of Erfurt, invites you to a panel discussion with the East Commissioner of the Federal Government, State Secretary Carsten Schneider.

With 35 years since the Peaceful Revolution, the event will explore perspectives on new visions for a sustainable democracy. State Secretary Carsten Schneider will join Prof. Dr. Christiane Kuller (Erfurt), Prof. Dr. Claudia Wiesner (Fulda), and Prof. Dr. Philipp Gassert (Mannheim) to discuss experiences of democratization, the challenges of today’s multiple crises, and the significance of a shared German-German transformation history.

We look forward to an exciting evening and invite you to join us for the discussion.

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 6:00 PM
Location: Kleine Synagoge, An der Stadtmünze 4, 99084 Erfurt
Admission: Free, no registration required.

Contact for inquiries: info@pari-geisa.org

In their book, French historians Agnès Arp and Élisa Goudin-Steinmann explore the question of how GDR society still affects the lives of East Germans today. The biographical interviews they conducted with 30 former GDR citizens allow for closeness and immediacy, nuances and differentiation – beyond the often one-sided public perception of the GDR as a dictatorship. The interviews reflect the devaluation, re-appropriation and revaluation of East German lives and show a diverse view of East German realities.

We look forward to welcoming interested participants and getting into conversation with each other!

The Emerging Scholars Workshop in Erfurt held on 7-8 June 2024, brought together young academics from various disciplines to share and discuss their research. Hosted at the Internationales Begegnungszentrum and accessible online, the workshop featured presentations on diverse historical and social topics. Participants explored issues ranging from NATO’s expansion debate and anti-racist engagement in Germany to the relationship between police and protesters and art projects on borders. The event fostered vibrant discussions, encouraging collaboration and the development of new research themes among emerging scholars.