Young Scholars' Workshop: State-Business Relations and Geoeconomics: Theories, Methods, and Comparative Perspectives

The Young Scholars' Workshop "State-Business Relations and Geoeconomics: Theories, Methods, and Comparative Perspectives" will take place from 22 to 24 April 2026 at the University of Erfurt. The event will focus on current transformations in state-business relations in times of geopolitical tensions, disrupted supply chains and new forms of economic interventionism. PhD students and postdocs from the fields of political science, international political economy, sociology and related disciplines will discuss theoretical and methodological approaches to questions of state autonomy, economic governance and the reorganisation of production and infrastructure relations.

The workshop offers an open platform for exchange between early-stage researchers with different regional and thematic focuses. In intensive discussion rounds, papers submitted in advance will be discussed and reflected upon in their conceptual, empirical and methodological dimensions. The aim is to bring together comparative perspectives on the relationship between the state and companies in a fragmented global economy and to promote new theoretical approaches in this field of research.

Organisers:
Security Capitalism Research Group, University of Erfurt

Professor Dr Andreas Goldthau - Professor Dr Oliver Kessler - Professor Dr Sophia Hoffmann - Professor Dr Michael Riegner