The Politics of Voluntariness – Our Lecture Series

Our interdisciplinary lecture series, which we organize together with the Department of History at the University of Erfurt, is dedicated to the broad research field of voluntariness. We have put together an exciting program for the 2022 summer term, themed “The Politics of Voluntariness.”

With guests from sociology, philosophy, and the historical sciences, we will discuss “The Politics of Voluntariness” from different perspectives, for example in relation to a history of modern vaccination programs, to voluntariness in global and local contexts, in the context of volunteering and engagement, or intertwined with concepts such as criminalization or submission.

All events will take place on Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. (c.t.) on campus, Erfurt University, Audimaxgebäude AMG / 0007. An interested audience is kindly invited to attend on site. In addition, all presentations can also be followed digitally via Webex. If interested one can receive a meeting link in advance. We ask for timely registration with the Research Unit on Voluntariness. If an event cannot be held on site, for example due to the pandemic situation, the respective lecture will only take place digitally via Webex. Information will be announced online in due time.

Programm Lecture Series

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What Else Is New?

Programm Konferenz in Graz

Conference on Solidarity and Volutnariness in Graz

On September 12 and 13, 2023, two co-investigators from the research unit will be speaking at the conference “Solidarity and Voluntarism in State-Socialist Societies” at the University of Graz, Austria. For a panel on Friday Carolyn Taratko and Elena M. E. Kiesel will be presenting aspects of their research projects on voluntariness in Ghana and the GDR.

Workshop – Reflect Yourself!?

On July 13 and 14, 2023, the workshop titled “Reflect yourself!?” will take place at the University of Erfurt. Exploring the research field of public history and its potential for (self)reflection in historical scholarship, both established scholars, junior researchers and students come together to discuss the topic in regard to their daily work and historical research.

We Welcome Mitchell Dean as Mercator Fellow 2023!

In summer 2023, we welcome Professor Mitchell Dean as Mercator Fellow of the Research Unit on Voluntariness. The political sociologist will support the projects of the research unit from April to July 2023 as a renowned expert in the field of governmentality studies.