Inaugural Conference Forum Wissenschaftsreflexion June 2026

Science and higher education have become increasingly influential in shaping modern societies (often termed knowledge societies), yet this growing significance has also sparked criticism and resistance. The core thesis of Wissenschaftsreflexion is that the more science and academia shape society, the more they become contested spaces—a defining paradox of our time. This means that Wissenschaftsreflexion must deal with at least two types of normative challenges. One is to delineate the scope and limits of the authority of science-based epistemic judgments. Another is to examine the extent to which decision-making in liberal democracies needs to start from confirmed and epistemically justified knowledge.

To address this, the newly established Forum Wissenschaftsreflexion at Leibniz University Hannover brings together researchers from philosophy, sociology, political science, economics and other disciplines within the humanities and social sciences. This interdisciplinary approach allows for deep theoretical and methodological engagement with the societal, cultural, and political processes that shape the contested roles of science in present day societies.

The inaugural conference aims to introduce and discuss this research program with scholars from diverse disciplines and countries.

More info on the conference homepage.