On Thursday, 27 November 2025, a public panel discussion on the topic of “Guardians of Democracy and Inclusion? European Universities in Challenging Times” will take place at Freie Universität Berlin (Henry-Ford Bau, Lecture Hall B, Garystr. 35) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. All are cordially invited.

Universities are under increasing pressure as democratic values, academic freedom, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives face growing contestation. Broader anti-democratic trends, rising neo-nationalisms and anti-gender politics further intensify these struggles, questioning universities’ role as open and inclusive institutions. The public panel brings together leading experts to explore how universities can navigate these contested spaces and whether European Universities Alliances can act as drivers of resilience and democratic renewal. How can these transnational networks strengthen inclusion, safeguard autonomy, and foster transformative change – and what needs to be done to achieve this? 

Featured Panelists:

• Prof. Dr. Andrea D. Bührmann (University of Göttingen)

• Prof. Dr. Jo-Anne Dillabough (University of Cambridge)

• Prof. Dr. Bjørn Stensaker (University of Oslo)

• Prof. Dr. Mieke Verloo (Radboud University)

Welcome Address:

Prof. Dr. Verena Blechinger-Talcott (Executive Vice-President, Freie Universität Berlin)

Moderation:

Dr. Daniel Schumann & Prof. Kathrin Zippel, PhD (Freie Universität Berlin)

→ The panel discussion will be held in English. Registration is not required.