The workshop builds on Dr Vezzosi's research, which examines the current challenges facing democracies in Europe and Latin America in the context of the rise of populist and authoritarian movements.

Over the two-day workshop, participants explored a range of topics related to democratic inclusion and exclusion, focusing on the roles of populism, authoritarian tendencies and neoliberal economic frameworks. Presentations included topics such as “Dynamics of Digital Disconnection: Between Democratic Exclusion and Empowerment” (Dr Lea Watzinger) and “Moral Discourses and stateness: Libertarian anarcho-capitalism as a morality” (Dr José Vicente Vezzosi).

We were especially pleased to welcome Dr Vezzosi’s colleagues from the National University of Santiago del Estero. Their participation marks an important step toward strengthening academic collaboration between the University of Passau and partner institutions in Argentina. The workshop laid the foundation for building a sustainable transnational research network on democracy studies.

With a diverse and interactive program structure, the symposium enabled participants to contribute their expertise from fields including intercultural communication, psychology, education, management, and migration studies. Through vibrant discussions, case studies, and innovative formats, the event fostered deep engagement and inspired the development of future collaborative projects.

“PICAIS aims to foster international collaboration at every level of the University of Passau” said Vice President Professor Jan H. Schumann, underlining the University’s commitment to global academic exchange and interdisciplinary synergy.

The symposium’s core focus aligned with the concept of constructive interculturality, which views cultural differences not as obstacles but as valuable sources of learning and enrichment. By emphasizing both the challenges and the transformative potential of multicultural experiences at the individual level, the event opened promising avenues for further inquiry and practical application.

Participants not only engaged in high-level academic exchange but also joined a growing international network of interdisciplinary researchers and professionals, laying the groundwork for new research initiatives and long-term cooperation.

The symposium was financially supported by PICAIS and the Neuburger Gesprächskreis, whose contributions were key in realizing the event. Dr. Fritz Audebert of the Neuburger Gesprächskreis was thanked warmly for his organization’s ongoing support.

Over the course of two days, a distinguished group of academics from Germany, including participants from the University of Passau and the University of Rostock, as well as from two Argentinian universities will deliver insightful presentations.

We are particularly delighted to welcome Dr. Vezzosi’s Argentinian colleagues from the University of Santiago del Estero and to foster a scientific collaboration that will contribute to establishing a sustainable academic network between the University of Passau and the National University of Santiago del Estero, Argentina.

More information can be found in the workshop program.

If you are interested on joining the workshop in person or online, please contact Lea Markert to receive the Zoom-Link.

The following fellows and their projects were selected:

• Dr. Hala Asslan
  Syrian Virtual University, Syria
  Research Project: Alawite Voices Abroad: Intellectual Contributions to Cultural Dialogue: Between the Levant and European Diasporas

• Dr. Alba Goméz Garcia
  Carlos III University of Madrid, Spain
  Research Project: Images of Female Aging in Contemporary European Theatre

• Dr. Sérgio Barbosa dos Santos Silva
  University of Coimbra, Portugal
  Research Project: On the Digital Literacy Pedagogical Strategies to Curb Disinformation in the Global South(s)

• Dr. Sagorika Singha
  Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
  Research Project: Content Creators as Custodians: How Youtubers Affect Political Communication in Digital India

• Dr. David Sladék
  University of Defence, Czech Republic
  Research Projekt: Airborne Human-AI Collaboration: Trust in Weather Forecasts for Critical UAS Tasks

• Dr. Maria Mashirma Fungomeli
  National Museums of Kenya, Kenya
  Research Project: Plant Diversity Patterns in the Kenyan Coastal Forests as a Basis for Strategic Forest Conservation

As part of the PICAIS Event Funding, two events have been approved to foster exchange between international scholars and strengthen the dialogue on relevant societal and political topics.

• Interdisciplinary Workshop: “Moral Panics, Communication Networks and Polarization”
  October 10 – 11, 2025
  Dr. Melanie Radue, Prof. Dr. Wolfram Schaffar (Chair of Development Policy)

• Colloquium: “Dreams, Hopes, and Utopias in Literature, Writings, Film, and Art by Roma and Sinti in Europe”
  March 6 – 7, 2026
  Prof. Dr. French Lorely (Pacific University, USA), Prof. Dr. Marina Ortrud Hertrampf (Chair of Romance Literary and Cultural Studies with a focus on France)

We look forward to the upcoming research stays and events, and once again thank all applicants for their interest and active participation in the spring funding round.

Further information about the upcoming fellowship stays and events will be made available soon on our website.

Prof. Dr. José Vicente Vezzosi is a professor of political science at the National University of Santiago del Estero in Argentina and is currently conducting research as a visiting professor at the Chair of Political Science (Focus: Political Theory) under Prof. Dr. Oliver Hidalgo. Prof. Vezossi analyzes the development of modern states in relation to democracy, with a particular focus on the globally observable rise of radical neopopulism, comparing Europe and Latin America.

During his first fellowship stay at the beginning of the year, he gave a successful lecture on his research work titled: “Moral Discourses and Stateness: An Approach to the Emergence of Radical Populisms in Europe and Latin America at the Beginning of the 21st Century.”

Now, he returns to the University of Passau to begin his second research stay from July to August 2025. Among other things, a two-day international workshop is planned, titled “Dynamics of Inclusion and Exclusion: Challenges to Democracy through Populism, Authoritarianism, and Neoliberalism in the Early 21st Century.” The workshop builds on the existing collaboration between Prof. Dr. Vezzosi and the professors at the University of Passau and contributes to strengthening the long-term cooperation between the two institutions.

We look forward to the continuation of our collaboration!

The diverse and interactive program will provide participants with the opportunity to contribute their expertise from various academic disciplines and integrate into a specific network of professionals from around the world. It also offers the chance to gain insightful perspectives and foster interdisciplinary collaborations.

The symposium is financially supported by PICAIS and the Neuburger Gesprächskreis. In addition to academic exchange, it provides a valuable platform for initiating new interdisciplinary collaborations and deepening existing networks.

The event will be conducted in English and is open to all interested individuals. Registration is required—please contact Elisabeth Huber at elisabeth.huber@uni-passau.de.

For more information, including the detailed program, please visit the Chair’s website:
www.geku.uni-passau.de/barmeyer/aktivitaeten/internationales-symposium-multikulturalitaet

As part of this theme, we would like to draw attention to the following upcoming events with Prof. Dr. Luciara Nardon:

Workshop: "Extending the Researcher’s Mindset"
July 15, 2025, 3:00–5:00 PM, WIWI Meeting Room 301
Public event, no registration required
On July 15, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, Prof. Luciara Nardon (Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada) will hold a workshop in collaboration with the Chair of Intercultural Communication. The workshop is aimed at doctoral students and interested participants. Attendees will have the opportunity to work with "clean language" techniques and emergent knowledge to further develop their own research ideas. The workshop will also provide space for reflection and exchange on individual research projects.

Guest Lecture by Prof. Dr. Luciara Nardon: "Making Sense of Immigrant Integration"
July 16, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, PHIL Lecture Hall 4
Public event, no registration required
Prof. Luciara Nardon from Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, will present findings from 15 years of research on the labor integration of immigrants in Canada, highlighting the diverse perspectives and needs of various stakeholders.

These links reflect the thematic diversity of research at the University of Passau and impressively demonstrate how valuable interdisciplinary collaboration is for new findings.

We are delighted with the great interest and active participation in this networking format and would like to thank our fellows for their interesting presentations!

More information can be found in the event report.

During her research stay, she will investigate the extent to which algorithms used on social media platforms like Facebook are capable of recognizing and predicting human emotional states. Her research project, titled “AI-based Modelling Emotion to Understand (Criminal) Behavior”, focuses in particular on the ethical and practical challenges of such technologies in a criminal justice context.

In collaboration with the Chair of Psychology with a focus on Human-Machine Interaction, the project aims to develop new interdisciplinary analytical tools while also raising awareness of the social and ethical implications of these developments.

Prof. Dr. Claudia Sadowski-Smith is a professor of English and American Studies at Arizona State University in the United States.

As a PICAIS Fellow in 2023, her research focused on social inequality, welfare states, and the racialization of post-Soviet migrants in the United States and Germany. Building on her previous findings, Prof. Sadowski-Smith will continue her research from June to August 2025 at the Chair of American Studies/Cultural and Media Studies (Prof. Dr. Karsten Fitz). Her work will focus on Ukrainian refugee migration to Germany and the United States, particularly in relation to political policies and the role of civil society and diasporic organizations - especially since the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the onset of the war in 2022.

Her research includes collaborative projects, participant observations, and work on a book that compares national responses to refugee migration and analyzes their impact on global migration policies.

We wish both scholars an enjoyable and productive stay at the University of Passau!

Public interest in memory culture, religion, and memory theory has been steadily growing in recent years. This trend is also evident in the European academic landscape, particularly in the humanities and cultural studies.

From May 19–22, 2025, a network conference funded by PICAIS brought together nearly 30 researchers from eleven European countries and fifteen universities in Passau. Both established scholars and early-career researchers came together to connect, exchange ideas, and present current projects on memory, identity, and religion. They were joined by representatives from the University of Passau’s research funding office, students participating in a research-based teaching seminar, and doctoral candidates from the Protestant and Hussite Theological Faculties of Charles University in Prague, attending as part of the annual Prague–Passau Symposium Series.

Organized by Prof. Dr. Sandra Huebenthal, PD Dr. Benedikt J. Collinet (Exegesis and Biblical Theology), Prof. Dr. Christian Handschuh (Church History and Christian Identities), and Prof. Dr. Thomas Wünsch (Eastern European History and Culture), the conference focused less on thematic outcomes and more on building relationships. The goal was to foster collaboration and develop future joint projects in research, teaching, and institutional development.

Reflecting the wide range of participating disciplines, presentations covered topics such as digital humanities, biblical studies, reconciliation work, memory culture, and places of memory. The structure of the event followed a chronological journey through Europe, revealing the importance of cultural and historical context in shaping scholarly approaches. It became especially clear how crucial mutual awareness is, as academic perspectives on concepts like the visual and spatial turns vary across regions and traditions.

To encourage interaction and creativity, the conference moved beyond conventional formats. A poster exhibition introduced participants, their institutions, and projects, helping to spark new collaborations. Five Open Spaces provided room for in-depth discussion of project ideas and research partnerships. These flexible formats proved particularly effective in creating space for open dialogue and intellectual exchange, which are often limited in traditional or online conference settings. The involvement of the University of Passau’s research support team in these sessions was especially valuable, offering immediate guidance on the development of new project ideas.

Key outcomes included the development of international study programs, concrete project proposals, and recognition of Passau as a platform for future collaborations. The conference also revealed great potential for joint academic initiatives across Europe. Connections established from Spain to Georgia and Ireland to Romania underscore the key role of Central Europe in facilitating truly transnational research in theology, the humanities, and cultural studies.

By supporting projects ranging from oral history and confessional identities to summer schools and structural partnerships, the event contributed to sustainable, cross-cultural cooperation and peacebuilding. The University of Passau proved to be an excellent host and partner for building long-term research networks. It is no surprise that participants expressed a strong desire for a follow-up conference to share results and launch new initiatives.

More information and images are available on the website of the Department of Catholic Theology at the University of Passau (https://www.ktf.uni-passau.de/netzwerk-religioese-identitaeten).

More details can be found in the event report.

Benedikt J. Collinet und Sandra Huebenthal

The next PICAIS Coffee Talk will take place on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, from 12:00 to 2:00 pm in the Professor’s Lounge (Cafeteria Building, 1st Floor, Room 254).

Our Fellows present on-site are:

• Prof Dr Hedwig Eisenbarth (Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand)
  Host: Prof. Dr. Susanne Mayr (Chair of Psychology with a Focus on Human-Machine Interaction)
  Research Project: AI-based Modelling of Emotion to Understand (Criminal) Behavior
• Dr Joshua Furnal (St. Patrick’s Pontifical University, Ireland)
  Host: Prof. Dr. Markus Weißer (Chair of Dogmatic Theology and Theological Issues of the Present)
  Research Project: Transforming Identities and Traditions in European Catholic Systematic Theology: A Comparative Study of the Eschatology of Søren Kierkegaard and Karl Rahner
• Prof Dr Bettina Kemme (McGill University, Canada)
  Host: Prof. Dr. Stefanie Scherzinger, Chair of Computer Science with a Focus on Scalable Database Systems
  Research Project: Legal and Reproducibility Aspects of Sustainable Data Science Systems
• Prof Dr Claudia Sadowski-Smith (Arizona State University, USA)
  Host: Prof. Dr. Karsten Fitz (Chair of American Studies/Cultural and Media Studies)
  Research Project: Government, Diaspora, and Advocacy. Responses to Refugee Migration: Ukrainian Migration to the United States and Germany, 2014-2024

We look forward to your participation and kindly ask for registration by email to picais-office@uni-passau.de by June 20, 2025, for the planning of our catering (coffee/tea and pastries).
If you are unable to attend the event but would like to engage with our fellows, please feel free to get in touch with us.

Find the flyer to download.