Students invite you to a public conference

04/07/2026

"Studying can do more! Bridges between science and social commitment": This is the motto of a public conference organised by students at the University of Würzburg from 8 to 10 April.

From Wednesday to Friday, 8 to 10 April 2026, philosophy students are organising an interdisciplinary conference (in German language) in the university building on Wittelsbacherplatz. It will focus on student perspectives on the tension between science and social transformation.

"The conference will also deal intensively with questions of democracy building, transfer and the responsibility of science," says student Henry Mörtl from the organisation team. The programme includes contributions from students, established researchers and non-researchers.

Further information and the programme can be found on the conference website www.engagiert-denken.de

The public is invited

Students from all disciplines are invited; admission is free. Some conference sessions are also explicitly aimed at the general public: these include the morning keynotes that open each of the three days of the event, as well as the evening formats that close each of the days.

Three morning impulses

Wednesday, 8 April 2026, 10:00 am:
Opening and lecture by Dr Tilman Kallenbach (University of Bamberg): "Everything I Know, I Learned On The Streets - On the Relationship between Protest and the Academy", Lecture Hall 02.401, Wittelsbacherplatz

Thursday, 9 April 2026, 10:00 a.m.:
Dr Maria Ullrich (University of Bonn): "Embedded Science: Reflections on Reflection and Transformation on the Basis of Flight Research", Lecture Hall 02.401, Wittelsbacherplatz

Friday, 10 April 2026, 10:00 am:
Dr Mareike Gebhardt (University of Münster): "Nomadic instead of monadic: embodiment, engagement, critique", Lecture hall 02.401, Wittelsbacherplatz

Three evening formats

Wednesday, 8 April 2026, 19:30:
Studipodcast 970.wav - Recording of a live podcast on the topic: "How can students get involved and participate at universities?", Audimax, Universität am Sanderring 2

Thursday, 9 April 2026: 19:30:
Panel discussion: "The democratic role of universities. Student participation and social transformation". With Andreas Dörpinghaus, Vice President of JMU, Clara Betsch, student's representation of JMU, Mareike Gebhardt (University of Münster). Audimax, University at Sanderring 2

Friday, 10 April 2026, 7:30 pm:
Live podcast recording with "Das Politikteil" of the weekly newspaper DIE ZEIT: "Has politics lost its youth?" Professor Karl-Rudolf Korte, a political scientist known from election broadcasts, will be present. Audimax, University at Sanderring 2

Usable for the GSiK certificate

Students at the University of Würzburg who take part in the conference can have their attendance recognised as part of the GSiK (Global Systems and Intercultural Competence) certificate.