Date: 20th - 21st February 2026
Organizers: Dr. Melanie Radue, Prof. Dr. Wolfram Schaffar (Chair for Development Politics)
This interdisciplinary workshop brings together scholars from the University of Passau and other national and international universities. This workshop explores how media and political actors construct and amplify perceived threats, often targeting minority groups through selective reporting, negative framing, and the viral dynamics of online networks. The workshop focuses on the mechanisms by which these moral panics arise and spread in Germany and other regions, e.g. Southeast Asia or Eastern Europe, examining the interplay between media systems, political actors, and (digital) communication networks. It brings together scholars from various disciplines to discuss comparative research findings, methodological perspectives, such as network and framing analysis and practical counter-strategies. Key questions include: How do moral panics develop in different contexts? What role do media and politics play in reinforcing or mitigating polarization? How can interdisciplinary methods help analyse these phenomena?
23 – 27 February 2026
Organisers: Prof. Dr. Christine Schmitt (Chair of Physical Geography with a focus on Human-Environment Research), Dr. Gregor Mathes (Department of Geography)
Under the theme "Species – Ecosystems – People", this international conference provides a forum for examining the interactions between biodiversity, ecosystems and societies in tropical and subtropical regions.
Tropical ecosystems are among the most species-rich and ecologically important habitats in the world, but they are under increasing pressure from rapid environmental and socio-economic changes. ECTE 2026 therefore brings together researchers from Europe and the Global South to exchange insights, combine perspectives and strengthen long-term cooperation to promote biodiversity and social well-being.
The conference includes keynotes, thematic sessions and interactive exchange formats and specifically promotes networking between established and early-career researchers. A special focus is placed on digital innovations such as remote sensing, modelling and open data platforms, which enable new insights into tropical ecosystems and nature conservation. ECTE 2026 thus underlines the University of Passau's commitment to interdisciplinary, globally networked and sustainability-oriented research.
20.05. - 22.05.2026
Organisators: Prof. Dr. Sandra Huebenthal (Chair of Exegesis and Biblical Theology), Prof. Dr. Thomas Wünsch (Chair of Modern and Contemporary History of Eastern Europe and its Cultures)
The University of Passau will host the second international networking conference on Religious Identities in Europe, bringing together scholars from across Central and Eastern Europe working on identity, religion, and memory cultures. Building on the initial collaborations established in 2025, this meeting aims to expand the network and deepen discussions in selected research areas, laying the groundwork for possible future research. The conference merges innovative ideas in reaserch and teaching among researchers in theology, religious studies, history, pedagogy, and cultural studies. Representatives from around 20 partner institutions, along with participating doctoral students will present their research contexts, current projects, and future interests to foster long-term cooperation. The program includes paper sessions, thematic discussion spaces, and networking events. As initiator and host, the University of Passau serves as the central hub for this growing research network and for future collaborative teaching and research initiatives.
27 July – 31 July 2026
Organiser: Prof. Dr. Karoline Reinhardt (Professorship of Applied Ethics)
Ten years after the European refugee crisis of 2015/16, migration remains a central issue in national and international politics. Although migration continues to shape public debate, research in applied ethics and political philosophy has received comparatively little sustained attention to date. The Passau Summer School for Applied Ethics (PASSAE 2026) aims to fill this gap by offering students from different academic backgrounds a forum to examine the ethical dimensions of migration from an explicitly interdisciplinary and philosophical perspective.
The lectures will be held by Prof. Dr. Valeria Ottonelli (University of Genoa), Prof. Dr. Corinna Mieth (Ruhr University Bochum) and Prof. Dr. Jochen Oltmer (University of Osnabrück). In addition to the academic input, the summer school places great emphasis on the active participation of students through presentations, group discussions and joint workshops.
With participants from all over the world, PASSAE 2026 not only promotes interdisciplinary dialogue, but also creates an international platform for cooperation and research in the field of migration.
17 - 18 September 2026
Organiser: Dr. Amedeo Sgueglia, Prof. Dr. Stefan Glock (Professorship for Discrete Mathematics)
The fourth edition of the Annual Discrete Mathematics Meeting will take place next year at the University of Passau. This is an established meeting of researchers from the field of discrete mathematics from various universities, including Brno/Leipzig, Graz, ISTA, Passau and Vienna. The event brings together researchers from a wide range of fields, from random graphs and graph limits to algorithms and extremal combinatorics, and addresses interfaces with topology, analysis and computer science.
The event will span two consecutive half-days and will include research presentations, an open problem session and a joint dinner. With participants from over 20 countries, the meeting promises an international and lively atmosphere and exciting impulses for discrete mathematics.
