Between Belonging and Difference

11/18/2025

The "un-sICHtbar" event series encourages people to take a critical look at identity. Students and employees of the University of Würzburg are invited to attend the events. They start on 20 November and will be held in German.

Although the concept of identity is fragile and problematic in philosophical debates, we are currently experiencing a revitalisation of the term. This is reflected, for example, in the constant differentiation of diversity and identity categories (such as LGBTQIA+), the marginalisation and exclusion of people with certain cultural affiliations or the use of the concept of identity politics.

Thematic days will take place from 12 November to 11 December 2025. They are organised as part of the "Global Systems and Intercultural Competence" (GSiK) programme. Students can have their participation in the individual events credited towards the GSiK additional qualification "Intercultural Competence". Employees of the University of Würzburg are also invited to take part.

"At the GSiK theme days, we want to take a critical and reflective look at terms and processes relating to identity," says GSiK project manager and Vice President Andreas Dörpinghaus. The use of the term also reflects a need for order in a complex, constantly changing world. This goes hand in hand with the risk of essentialisation and demarcation - in the worst case, so that drawn boundaries prevent dialogue across differences. "Thinking and discussing together, on the other hand, opens up the possibility of a differentiated attitude and openness to the other person," Dörpinghaus continues.

The Events at a Glance

Gruppe macht glücklich. Soziale Identität als Resilienzfaktor: Lecture by social psychologist Professor Rolf van Dick (Goethe University Frankfurt)

Persistent stress impairs health and performance - both individually and organisationally. However, those who experience stress as part of a group are better able to cope with it. Shared belonging strengthens resilience and well-being.

The lecture will take place on 20 November 2025 at 6 pm in room 00.107 at Wittelsbacherplatz.

Imaginationen kollektiver Identität und Differenz: Lecture by cultural scientist Professor Heike Delitz (University of Regensburg)

The lecture examines the idea of collective identity from a social science perspective. Based on this, the view will be broadened globally to include those imaginations of collective identity that fuel and characterise current political discussions in democratic societies.

The lecture will take place on 26 November 2025 at 6.15 pm in room 00.107 at Wittelsbacherplatz.

Identität und Diversität. Zwei problematische Begriffe in Differenzierungsprozessen: Lecture by sociologist Professor Stefan Hirschauer (University of Mainz)

Through processes of human differentiation, categories such as gender, ethnicity or age are socially constructed. Rather than mistaking distinctions for fixed facts, these should be understood as changeable and reversible social processes.

The lecture will take place on 2 December 2025 at 18:00 in room 00.107 at Wittelsbacherplatz.

Identität(en). Über Zugehörigkeit und Ausgrenzungserfahrungen in der postmigrantischen Gesellschaft: Workshop by Saliha Ünver, Nicolas Meyer & Elena Enzmann (ufuq Würzburg association)

The workshop provides insights into the youth work of ufuq.de. It is about dealing with self-perception and the perception of others - especially among young people of colour, whose affiliation is often questioned. Participants will reflect on their own attitudes, exchange perspectives and learn about tried-and-tested methods of practical educational work.

The workshop will take place on 11 December 2025 from 5 to 9 pm in room 00.107 at Wittelsbacherplatz.

Further information and registration via WueStudy.

The "Global Systems and Intercultural Competence" Programme

Every semester, GSiK puts together a comprehensive, interdisciplinary teaching programme for all students at the University of Würzburg. The content of the courses is the academic examination of cultural diversity, global contexts, various forms of discrimination and the reflection of one's own perspective. Last but not least, the programme aims to raise awareness of global responsibility, which is a commitment to a sustainable and fair way of life.