11. July 2025 | Faculty of Economics, Law and Social Sciences, Willy Brandt School of Public Policy, Events

Brandt Lecture: How free is science in the era of geopolitical upheaval?

Climate change, the "turn of an era", international peace and security policy – once a year, the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt hosts its Brandt Lecture to discuss the big issues that move the world with high-calibre guests. Guests have included Svenja Schulze, the former Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Dr Almut Wieland-Karimi, Managing Director of the Centre for International Peace Operations, and Ambassador Boris Ruge. This year, the Brandt School welcomed Professor Bettina Rockenbach, President of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. She spoke at the Collegium Maius on 11 July on the question "How free is science in the era of geopolitical upheaval?", a question that could hardly be more topical. Around 150 guests from 50 countries, most of them Brandt School students, came to listen to the lecture and exchange views with the Leopoldina President.

Professor Bettina Rockenbach gave this year's Brandt Lecture. (photo: Andrea Ludwig)

"We are delighted to have Bettina Rockenbach for the Brandt Lecture," says Professor Andreas Goldthau, Director of the Brandt School. “Not only is she a former colleague – she held the professorship for microeconomics at the University of Erfurt from 2000 to 2011 and was Vice President for Research – but she is above all an impressive academic and personality.” And so the Brandt School team's reunion with the economist was also a very warm one. After all, she is still very attached to the University of Erfurt.

In her lecture, it once again became clear what major challenges the serious changes in the global political situation and the associated uncertainties pose for our society. The academic system is not only directly affected by this, it also plays a key role in overcoming these challenges – through new findings, technological developments and innovations and through the international networking of researchers and teaching staff. “We should confidently present the science system as one of our country’s strengths and not allow ourselves to be intimidated by adverse circumstances and vocal opponents,” Professor Bettina Rockenbach appealed to the guests in the Collegium Maius. “Let us do everything in our power to promote the autonomy of our research system and resist an instrumentalist understanding of science that seeks to make research subservient to changing political or economic masters. To this end, let us use our ability as scientists or scientifically educated people to deal rationally with complex questions, rapidly changing boundary conditions, and uncertain consequences of our actions.”

And because this year's Brandt Lecture was also part of the farewell ceremony for graduates of the master's programme in Public Policy, the economist concluded by addressing them directly: "Regardless of the path you choose, I wish you the best of luck in using your intellectual and personal skills to promote the common good in innovative ways. And always remember: free research is an indispensable partner in this endeavor. Wherever you work, stand up for academic freedom!“.