What’s Going On?

The Research Unit on Voluntariness is more than just our team. We are part of a growing international community of scholars who share an interest in the concept of voluntariness. We invite fellow researchers to join the discussion, not just in writing but also in person. Over the next few years we are planning workshops and lecture series, and we will let you know what’s happening around voluntariness and our research unit.

Stay tuned and we’ll keep you posted about news, events, and guests as well as all sorts of sidelines!

News & Sidelines

“Between Choice and Command” – Workshop and Keynote Lecture

21 Nov at 10:07

On December 1-2, 2025, a workshop organized by Florian Wagner is dedicated to the question of voluntariness and migration and return across and beyond colonial empires. The event is held at the University of Erfurt, among other contributions with a keynote lecture by Dónal Hassett.

Film Screening and Workshop – “Unsilenced Voices”

4 Nov at 16:30

On December 15 and 16, 2025, a workshop will be focusing on women’s voluntary activism in Ghana and other (post)colonial contexts. Starting with a film screening followed by a discussion of the 2022 documentary film “When Women Speak” a workshop on recent research perspectives and resources on Friday will discuss “Voluntariness, Women’s Activism and (Post-)Colonial Narratives.”

Conference on the Political Philosophy of the Peasants‘ Wars – With a Lecture by Philipp Schink

8 Oct at 12:30

*** This post is only available in German. Just go to the upper right and switch language to DE ***

Symposium „Die sozialistische Welt und der Globale Süden“ – With a Lecture by Carsta Langner

8 Oct at 12:00

The 23rd International Symposium of the Ettersberg Foundation “Die sozialistische Welt und der Globale Süden” will be held at the Reithaus Weimar on November 7 and 8, 2025. It is dedicated to “interdependencies between the Socialist World and the Global South”, collecting and presenting a variety of approaches and topics. Carsta Langner from our research group will be giving a lecture on November 7.

Workshop on “Moral History” – Evening Talk and Panel Discussion

7 Oct at 16:00

On December 4 and 5, 2025, a workshop will be focusing on “moral history.” An evening lecture on Thursday will be held on the topic “Ökonomien der Moral.” At a panel discussion on Friday morning, we will address the question: “The Historian as Reflexive Moral Subject. New Challenge or New Normal?”

Film Series “Solidarität und Bevormundung – Die DDR und der Globale Süden”

10 Sep at 10:00

During the winter term 2025/26 we will present a film series entitled “Solidarität und Bevormundung – Die DDR und der Globale Süden.” Be invited to join us for four individual screenigs followed by discussions with special guests in Erfurt! In this post you get to the program in detail.