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International International

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 Upcoming Events

SAR NRW: Seminar

Dr. Uta Brunner
“The German academic landscape for internationals” (University of Düsseldorf)
17 June 2025; 11 a.m. – 12.30 p.m, online seminar
 

A variety of institutions with diverse objectives and interests characterize the German research landscape. In this seminar, participants will learn about the German higher education system, non-university research institutions as well as possible entry positions and funding opportunities for international junior scientists. In addition, the seminar will also present career prospects beyond research positions.

Please register here.

More information on the SAR NRW Programme can be found here.

 

SALON: LECTURE

Ahmet Yikik & Aylin Walder
»Elif Shafak. A Sociological Exploration of Gender and Migration.«
2 July 2025 - 6 p.m., International House (Kringsweg 6)


The venue is wheelchair accessible and the lecture will be held in spoken English.


Ahmet Yikik: The work of Elif Shafak, a British author of Turkish descent, delves deeply into migration and gender issues. In this presentation, I will shed light on so-called "deviant" individuals and social groups through Elif Shafak's narrative landscape. I will discuss how Shafak’s fiction contributes to expanding the concept of being "human" by addressing issues of gender and migration. In essence, I aim to lay the groundwork for re-imagining social concepts through literary works.

Please register here.

More information on Events held by the Cologne International Forum can be found here.

 

 Past Events

Cologne Bonn Academy in Exile: Workshop

"Life in Exile of Researchers – Conflict & Encounters"
2 and 3 December 2024 -  University of Bonn

 

On December 2–3, 2024, the Cologne/Bonn Academy in Exile hosted an enriching and thought-provoking workshop facilitated by Anastasia Vorobyeva, Yuliia Terentieva, and Valentine Hoffmann at the University of Bonn. These experienced professionals brought their expertise in Playback Theater to guide the Fellows through a journey of storytelling, emotional exploration, and shared reflection. Playback Theater, an improvisational art form where personal stories are enacted on the spot, was the central methodology, fostering connection, healing, and understanding among participants.

The workshop introduced the Fellows to the principles and techniques of Playback Theater while providing a safe and inclusive environment for dialogue. Over the two days, participants engaged deeply with themes of resilience, personal and collective challenges, and visions for the future. The group explored emotions and experiences in the context of war and displacement, delving into personal stories that highlighted moments of overcoming adversity.

A resume of the CBA workshop can be found here.

PERSPECTIVES: Lectures

“Challenges for democracy in post-migrant society”
Winter Semester 2024/25 

 

A lecture series of the Institute for Languages ​​and Cultures of the Islamic World (ISKIW) and the Department of  Sociology and Social Psychology (DSS) of the University of Cologne

The lecture series organized by the Institute for Languages ​​and Cultures of the Islamic World (ISKIW) and the Department of Sociology and Social Psychology (DSS) at the University of Cologne addressed challenges to democracy in post-migrant societies in light of current political developments. These include human rights violations and ideologies of inequality, authoritarianism in its various forms, antisemitism, and anti-Muslim racism.

The January events took place in cooperation at the Cologne International Forum.

More information on the Perspectives event series here.

4. Workshop on Racism Criticism

19 June 2024 - Cologne International Forum, International House (Kringsweg 6)
 

Due to current societal developments and needs, the Vice Rectorate for Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunities has decided to examine structures in which racism can be institutionally reproduced – regardless of individual intentions. The goal is to initiate a long-term, anti-racist and participatory process that will enable the transformation of structures at the University of Cologne in such a way that inequalities of opportunity are reduced. The Racism Critique Workshop aims to systematically identify current problem areas related to structural racism at the University of Cologne and develop areas for action.

The 4th Racism Critique Workshop took place at the Cologne International Forum on June 19, 2024.

More information about the Racism Criticism Workshop can be found here.

Lecture Series:

“Woman, Life, Freedom – Emancipatory Potentials”
Summer Semester 2023 and Winter Semester 2023/24

 

Since 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the Iranian morality police in September, Iran has been in turmoil. Many are hoping for a revolution - in this interdisciplinary lecture series, we would like to discuss what this could mean and what means are available. We will focus on the different sides of the protest, the public expressions of discontent and the need for change in the past and present. We will find out how people in Iran have resisted now and in recent decades. We discuss possibilities and demands. We look at how citizens from Iranian families in Germany - but increasingly people without a history of migration as well - are showing solidarity. And we shed light on the potential of Iranian society.

 

More information about the lecture series “Woman, Life, Freedom – Emancipatory Potentials” can be found here.

FLUCHTPUNKT: 

How exclusive is the university?
Winter Semester 2022/23

Critical Questions about Equality and Diversity at German Universities

A public event series at the universities of Cologne, Bochum, Düsseldorf, and Siegen in the summer semester of 2022 and the winter semester of 2022/23, conceived and moderated by migration and racism researcher Mark Terkessidis and under the patronage of the rectorates of the participating universities.

The events are intended to provide a space for critical reflection on existing university structures with regard to researchers and students with a refugee background, but also to raise the question of how universities generally deal with, or should deal with, diversity.

How must universities adapt to a society increasingly shaped by mobility, migration, and also flight? How must universities be designed so that all people can find their place on an equal footing, regardless of their prerequisites, backgrounds, biographies, or even their appearance?

The lectures in the series address previous experiences, necessary structural changes, privileges, and racism.

More information about FLUCHTPUNKT: How exclusive is the university? can be found here.

 University of Cologne International Events Calendar