Science in focus: Online lecture series discusses social responsibility

Science in focus: Online lecture series discusses social responsibility

A nationwide online lecture series will start on April 18, 2025, which will be initiated in cooperation with around a dozen universities. The lecture series aims to provide scientifically based perspectives on key social issues and is free and accessible digitally. The thematic focus is on the importance of science for today's society.

The lecture series includes a total of eight lectures, which will be broadcast live via video conferences and distributed to the participating universities. The kick-off will take place on April 23, 2025 with a lecture by Prof. Dr. Sabine Maasen from the University of Hamburg, who will deal with the topic “Knowledge with Impact: Science and universities under the sign of ‘Impact’”.

Technological developments and social responsibility

The second lecture will take place on April 30, 2025. This comes from Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Höschler from the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and addresses “Hybrid-electric drive systems in aviation – a contribution to sustainable mobility”. This lecture will discuss technical developments and challenges of lower-emission technologies in aviation. Scientists face the challenge of developing technological innovations that are both sustainable and socially relevant.

The role of science is currently being redefined. Not only do they have to find answers to urgent questions of today, but they also have to take responsibility for their social impact. These expectations of the sciences are part of far-reaching political and ethical debates in which the threats to academic freedom and their influence on social power relations are also discussed. Science is seen as both a target and an agent of power, which underlines the need for self-reflective debate.

Science as the key to the future

Science is increasingly required to show that it can provide crisis management and at the same time open up new horizons. They promote innovation and raise high expectations with regard to solving political and social challenges, such as in the areas of energy, health and digitalization. The increasing importance of transdisciplinary research requires universities to take greater account of social impact.

In order to overcome these challenges, there are different contract models that affect the relationship between science and society. The linear model relies on the inherent rationality of science and promotes basic research, while the finalized model influences science through policy planning and key problem areas. The hybridized model currently being discussed emphasizes application-oriented and socially responsible knowledge production.

Universities are asked to develop strategies to create this social impact and to institutionalize transfer activities. There is an urgent need to identify partners and create appropriate infrastructures so that knowledge is not only seen as a resource for innovation, but also as a normative claim.

The upcoming lecture series represents an important contribution to reflecting and discussing the role of science in society. Current program information and access data are already available online and invite those interested to become part of these important conversations.

For more information about the event please visit BTU Cottbus, ZFW Hamburg and bpb.de.