With the topic "Rethinking Resistance in the Anthropocene: Catastrophic Biopolitics and Nomadic Methodologies", the second round of talks will be held by Prof. Julian Reid (University of Lapland) and Dr. Srishti Malaviya (Visiting Researcher at OvGU).

📆 When: 19th of June

⏰Time: from 17:30 until 19:00 (ST).

📍Where: G40 Room 332

In the face of climate crisis and escalating global instability, much of contemporary political thought is shaped by catastrophic narratives that frame governance through the lens of impending collapse.

Our first guest speaker, Julian Reid, critiques this catastrophic biopolitics - a framework that treats planetary survival as a management problem centered on 'saving life.' Rather than seeking more expansive or inclusive biopolitical models, Julian Reid proposes an alternative approach that abandons 'life' as the central referent of politics. Drawing on political eschatology, nomadic imagination, and contemporary cinema, his presentation outlines the conditions for a political subject capable of resisting biopolitical reason and its hold on Anthropocene thinking.

Building on this, our second speaker, Srishti Malaviya, invites us to think with nomadic methodologies of resistance - those that do not solidify into clear narratives or enduring movements. What forms of resistance emerge when we let go of the need for meaning, coherence, or institutional recognition? Through this lens, resistance becomes a moment of rupture and reinvention rather than consolidation. Following these moments of nomadic imagination may allow insight into methodologies of resistance that appear outside of institutional framings of resilience.

You can prepare yourself for the event with: https://www.academia.edu/120147887/Resistance - Not mandatory!

We will provide beer, soft drinks and some snacks. It is a great possibility to have a chat in an informal setting.

We very much look forward to seeing you all there!

Our professor Kristina Roepstorff along with Professor Joël Glasman have published their latest article in Zeit Online  https://www.zeit.de/2025/25/humanitarian-studies-forschung-wissenschaft-krisen

In this article, they explore how humanitarian aid can become more efficient, fairer, and more professional amid the enormous financial challenges and the exploitation and misuse of humanitarian aid.

Check out the article from here

Knowledge. From here. Under this motto, Magdeburg's scientific institutions open their doors late into the night and showcase knowledge generated locally in Magdeburg. Exciting experiments, laboratory tours, hands-on activities, and lectures provide visitors with insights into scientific fields and current research topics.

This year, the Long Night of Science will take place on June 14th from 6:00 PM to midnight . The program lists the duration and exact start times of each event; pre-registration is required for a few events.

Under this event, an interactive exhibition will take place regarding memes and hate in everyday life. Blow you find the description

Beyond the rainbow cat

How memes spread hate online

The digital space plays a central role in forming opinions in everyday life. Memes in particular have become an integral part of digital communication. They are fun and comment on topical social developments. But it is precisely in this seemingly harmless appearance where their political power lies. Why are memes particularly suitable for mobilisation by right-wing populist, extremist and conspiracy ideology groups? What narratives and aesthetic means do they use to spread racist, homophobic and misogynistic hate speech? And how can we counter them?
In the exhibition tour we invite you to reflect on these questions and show how we can recognise antidemocratic persuasion strategies, even if they are subtle and humorous. The guided tour offers participant a space to discuss the challenges posed by online hate and to jointly develop practical ideas on how democracy can be defended through the own creative use of memes.

More information here

Join us in congratulating our colleague Fabrice  Niyonkuru for his book review published in the South African Journal of Science 

https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2025/21334

Frankel (the book author) examines human trafficking as a crime against humanity and an obstacle to sustainable development, emphasising the need for collective efforts to combat it. The book effectively educates and mobilises the public in South Africa, positioning the country’s efforts within a global context

Get access to the paper from here