Climate responsibility, gender roles, new worlds of work and Germany's contribution to peace in Ukraine - the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) is taking part in the Long Night of Science in Berlin on Saturday, 6 June with topics that are currently much discussed and pressing. From 5 pm, Viadrina researchers will present their scientific insights and invite you to join in the discussion.
The venue for all Viadrina programme items is Lecture Hall 3035 in the main building of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10117 Berlin. Tickets for the Long Night of the Sciences are available from five euros at advance ticket sales.
To the programme
5.10 pm to 6 pm "Why ethics often fail in companies - between personality and system": Dr Miriam Maske (Deputy Professor of Controlling) explains in her interactive lecture why well-intentioned rules, codes of ethics and compliance programmes do not always lead to responsible action. She shows that ethical behaviour is based neither solely on individual morals nor on formal rules. Current research illustrates how the personality traits of decision-makers interact with control and incentive systems and systematically distort decisions.
18:05 to 18:55 "Imagining Alternative Digital Futures: Rethinking Work and Organisation with Technology": In her English-language workshop, Dr Lilo Meier, research associate at the Chair of Human Resources, Work and Management, will show how technologies are changing the world of work - for example in platform cooperatives. She questions the idea that the use of technology must always follow profit maximisation and increased efficiency and presents other examples from her ethnographic research that are based on shared ownership and solidarity. 19:05 to 19:55 "Russia-Ukraine war: What can and should Germany do now?"
- this question is the focus of the workshop by Dr Anne Holper from the Institute for Conflict Management. She is interested in the visitors' assessments and suggestions on how Germany could contribute to ending the Russian war against Ukraine. After a brief introduction to the current situation, the participants will discuss their ideas together, weigh up the obstacles and risks and consider how these can be overcome.
20.05 to 20.55 "Are companies liable for climate change?": Climate change is global - but can individual companies still be responsible? This question is increasingly being litigated in German courts: Recently, for example, flood-damaged farmers from Pakistan sued RWE and Heidelberg Materials for damages. Climate liability expert Prof Dr Jan-Erik Schirmer provides insights into his research and discusses with representatives from civil society and practice whether such lawsuits are promising and sensible.
21:05 to 22:00 "Is emancipation turning into its opposite? Gender images in transition": Tradwives, the Epstein Files, violent masculinities - a return of traditional gender images is being discussed in many places: Are we experiencing a backlash in gender relations? Prof Dr Sarah Speck, holder of the Chair of Comparative Cultural Sociology, will take a sociological look at the contradictory changes in gender relations over the past decades, highlight current research findings and also answer questions from visitors.
Between 5 and 10 p.m., students will also be on site to provide information about the Viadrina's study programmes.
Background information
During the Long Night of Science on 6 June 2026, from 5 pm to midnight, round 60 scientific and science-related institutions in Berlin will be hosting spectacular experiments, fascinating talks, science shows and laboratory tours, giving visitors the chance to take a look behind the scenes.
The events are spread across a total of five areas of the city – from the west through the centre to Buch, and from the south-west to the south-east. As always, the LNDW programme is aimed at all age groups and offers special activities for school pupils.
The Long Night of Science is largely organised and funded by the participating scientific institutions themselves. It is also supported by numerous partner from the region, in particular Berlin Partner for Business and Technology GmbH and the Berlin Technology Foundation.