Lecture series on democracy, trust and the public sphere

Democratic societies are currently under a variety of pressures: political polarisation, global shifts in power and the transformation of digital public spheres are changing the conditions under which democratic processes function. When trust in institutions, the media and political actors wavers, nothing less than the foundation of our coexistence is at stake.

The university as a safe space for democracy

Against this backdrop, a cross-faculty group has been formed at the University of Würzburg to focus on this topic both inside and outside the university. The initiative, consisting of representatives from university and faculty management as well as various status groups, sees the examination of democracy in the face of current political developments and volatile world events not only as an academic interest, but also as an existential task. The lecture series "Under Pressure", implemented by the "Globale Systeme und interkulturelle Kompetenz" (Global Systems and Intercultural Competence) (GSiK) programme, is the first result of the alliance.

"Science and universities are constitutively dependent on democratic structures: Freedom of research and teaching can only arise in an open society," affirms Professor Andreas Dörpinghaus, Vice President for Studies and Teaching, the commitment. "In turn, democracy is dependent on science - as an instance of fact-based enlightenment, as a place of critical discourse and as a motor for democratic resilience," says Dörpinghaus. The university acts as a bridge between theory and practice in order to not only secure democratic structures under changing conditions, but to proactively develop them further.

Renowned perspectives in dialogue

Internationally recognised experts who are among the leading voices in their respective fields have been recruited for this lecture series. The series offers the rare opportunity to hear well-founded analyses at first hand and to discuss them together: How is the public sphere changing in the age of digital disinformation? What does trust in democratic processes depend on? What lessons can be learnt from transatlantic developments?

With contributions from renowned personalities such as Harvard professor Daniel Ziblatt (bestseller "How Democracies Die"), party researcher Frank Decker, US expert Annika Brockschmidt and digital expert Sina Laubenstein, the University of Würzburg is sending a clear signal about the relevance of scientific expertise in protecting the democratic order.

The lectures at a glance:

All lectures will take place at 18:30 in the Audimax, Sanderring 2. Admission is free. Please register at gsik@uni-wuerzburg.de.

"Die Zukunft der Demokratie als praktische Aufgabe"
Prof. Dr Frank Decker (University of Bonn) on 29 April 2026
Introduction by Prof. Dr Andreas Dörpinghaus

"Digitale Demokratiegefahren: Radikalisierung im Netz am Beispiel der Mannosphäre"
Sina Laubenstein (ISD Germany, Berlin) on 7 May 2026
Introduction by Prof. Dr Andrea Kübler

"Glaube, Macht und digitale Räume: Politische Trends aus den USA und deren Einfluss auf die deutsche Demokratie"
Annika Brockschmidt (freelance journalist) on 21 May 2026
Introduction by Prof. Dr Ilona Nord

"Democracy Under Threat: a Transatlantic Perspective" (in English)
Prof. Daniel Ziblatt, Ph.D. (Harvard University, WZB Berlin) on 9 June 2026
Introduction by Prof. Dr Sonja Grimm

About GSiK:

GSiK is an interdisciplinary programme at the University of Würzburg that prepares students for the challenges of a globalised world. In interdisciplinary courses, GSiK teaches skills in dealing with cultural diversity, social discrimination and global contexts. The aim is to create a deeper understanding of living together in a complex society through (self-)reflection and practical relevance and to develop the skills to shape society responsibly and sustainably.

Contact

Carina Odenbreit, University of Würzburg, GSiK
T +49 931 31-88070 , e-mail: gsik@uni-wuerzburg.de