Nachhaltigkeitsforum 2026: Unter Druck: (Rechts-)Extremismus als Bedrohung für die Freiheit von Forschung und Lehre

The Young Scholars’ College of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences and Arts, in collaboration with the Humboldtⁿ Universities’ Sustainability Initiative and the State Rectors’ Conference of Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia, cordially invites you to the Sustainability Forum 2026: Under Pressure: (Right-wing) Extremism as a Threat to Freedom of Research and Teaching at the Academy, Palmenstraße 16, 40217 Düsseldorf.

Extremist movements and positions are gaining influence in many areas of our society. Universities, too, are increasingly confronted with the resulting challenges. Recent studies show that the rise of far-right extremist positions, in particular, poses a significant threat to democratic structures, open scholarly discourse, and the freedom of research and teaching.

The delegitimization of scientific findings, the political instrumentalization of research, and attacks on scientific institutions have long been part of the repertoire of extremist actors.

Against this backdrop, the question arises as to how universities can effectively protect their institutional autonomy and individual academic freedom.

What options for action exist when fundamental freedoms come under pressure? How can universities respond to attempts at political influence? And how can research—as a central prerequisite for addressing future societal challenges and implementing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals—be made more resilient?

This year’s Sustainability Forum of the Young College is dedicated to these questions. Together with the Humboldtⁿ Sustainability Initiative and the State Rectors’ Conference of Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia, current developments will be analyzed and strategies discussed to strengthen the resilience of academia and universities against political extremism.

We cordially invite researchers, university administrators, students, and all interested parties to participate in this timely debate.

Program

Welcome

Prof. Dr. Birgitta Wolff, President of the University of Wuppertal and Spokesperson for Humboldtⁿ
Dr. Fabian Schulz, Secretary General of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Dr. Elisabeth Kreidt and Dr. Paula Rhein-Fischer, Young Research Group

Keynote Presentations

Political Extremism and the Freedom of Research and Teaching
Prof. Dr. Klaus F. Gärditz, University of Bonn

From Stance to Action: How Universities Can Protect Academic Freedom and Strengthen Resilience
Prof. Dr. Stefan Stürmer, President of the FernUniversität in Hagen

Panel I: Resilience of Individual Academic Freedom

Prof. Dr. Christina Brüning, Philipps University of Marburg
Prof. Dr. Klaus F. Gärditz, University of Bonn
Kristin Küter, Scicomm Support
Dr. Lars Lott, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
Dr. Tim Wihl, University of Erfurt

Panel II: Resilience of Institutional Autonomy in Higher Education

Prof. Dr. Viola Hartung-Beck, Dortmund University of Applied Sciences
Dr. Sven Jürgensen, Ruhr University Bochum
Prof. Dr. Andreas Nitschke, Altenholz University of Applied Sciences for Administration and Services
Janos Richter, Verfassungsblog
Prof. Dr. Stefan Stürmer, President of the FernUniversität Hagen

Policy Lab – Joint Development of Concrete Solutions

Following the event, you are cordially invited to a reception and networking session starting at 6:30 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you there! Participation in the event is only possible with prior registration by name atanmeldung@awk.nrw.de. Please note that a valid ID card (or passport) must be presented upon entry. We ask for your understanding that, unfortunately, individuals without prior registration or without appropriate identification will not be granted access to the event. Thank you for your cooperation.