Bavarian Science Alliance: New impulses for peace and security!

Bavarian Science Alliance: New impulses for peace and security!

On April 14, 2025, the Bavarian Science Alliance for Peace, Conflict and Security Research was founded. Ten scientists from the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) are involved in this promising project. Among them is Prof. Dr. Marco Bünte, a respected expert on politics and society in Asia.

The alliance aims to examine in greater depth the complex dynamics surrounding peace, conflict and security. At a time when the global order is changing, security risks are shifting. A variety of non-military challenges such as poverty, climate change, authoritarian regimes, religious fundamentalism and migration now shape the security agenda.

Hybrid warfare in focus

The effects on Germany are particularly noticeable in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine. The alliance will intensively address issues such as hybrid warfare and the resilience of Western societies. These aspects are of central importance for security policy.

The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration is emphasized by FAU scientists in order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of international security policy. Research is organized in four multidisciplinary clusters: war and peace, international law and human rights, culture and democracy, and economics, technology and climate. These clusters should not only generate new research impulses, but also form the basis for joint projects and joint events.

From research to politics

An important goal of the alliance is the transfer of findings into political practice. Policy briefs and events in the state parliament are planned to promote dialogue between science and politics. The opening event of the security conference already discussed the role of artificial intelligence in war and peace. Prof. Dr. In this context, Katrin Kinzelbach presented a project that deals with geodata and human rights violations.

With its strong profile in the areas of human rights research and regional research, FAU contributes significantly to the development and establishment of the alliance. The interdisciplinary approach could be groundbreaking for future security policy in Germany and set new standards in overcoming global challenges.

For more information on hybrid warfare and the context of the current security situation in Ukraine, please visit Bundeswehr media library which provides detailed explanations and analysis.

Also visit the Bundeswehr media library for current maps of hybrid warfare for visual insights into complex security policy contexts and strategies.