Lecture series

Our public lecture series make science accessible to everyone and offer the opportunity to explore it from different perspectives. It is a great opportunity to expand your own knowledge and exchange ideas with experts - free of charge and without prior registration.

Summer semester 2026

Philosophy for Everyone!

The student initiative Öffentliche Philosophie Berlin is organising the “Philosophy for Everyone!” lecture series for the third time from 24 to 26 April. Students from across Germany will present their socially relevant research and discuss it with an audience of philosophers and members of the public. 

Prof. Robin Celikates, FU Berlin, and Prof. Kristina Lepold, HU Berlin, will deliver keynote speeches.

When: 24–26 April 2026

Where: Grimm-Zentrum, Foyer, Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 1–3, 10117 Berlin

Who: Student initiative „Öffentliche Philosophie Berlin“

W.E.B. Du Bois Lectures

The W.E.B. Du Bois Lecture Series is organised by American Culture Studies. The aim is to promote intercultural dialogue by inviting scholars and intellectuals. In open lectures, they speak to a broad audience about the crucial aspects and problems of public culture and contemporary forms of cultural criticism.

The series begins with a lecture by Johanna Pitetti-Heil, University of Cologne, on the topic: “The Roaring of Nature – The Taming of Nature: Essentialism and Racialisation in American Modern Dance”. The lectures will be held in English.

When: From 28 April 2026, 6.15 pm

Where: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Main Building, Unter den Linden 6, 10117 Berlin, Room 2249a

Who: Department of English and American Studies

LIVING WITH RISK – between chance, providence and calculation in the Ancient World

How did people in antiquity deal with risks? Whether illness, natural disasters, war, economic dependencies or religious interpretations – the Ancient World was characterised by uncertainties that had to be recognised, interpreted and managed. The lecture examines how dangers were anticipated, knowledge gathered and strategies developed to mitigate risks. It demonstrates that earlier societies also faced challenges similar to those we face today. 

The public lecture series is organised by the Berlin Antike-Kolleg, a network for classical studies of which HU is a member, and Freie Universität Berlin.

When:  from 14 April 2026, Tuesdays, 6.15 pm

Where: Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin
Lecture Theatre 1b (Rostlaube) and online

Who: Berlin Antike-Kolleg

Digital History – Current Developments and New Approaches

In the summer semester of 2026, the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the Technical University of Berlin and the Leibniz Centre for Contemporary History Research are jointly launching an international programme that examines key questions in digital history from various perspectives. The event combines a colloquium and a public lecture series, covering a spectrum ranging from the history of digitisation through computational history to public history. The focus is on current developments, methodological approaches and global perspectives – including contributions from Europe, Latin America and Asia. With international guests, the colloquium offers a platform for exchange on digital history.

When: from 15 April 2026, Wednesdays, 4–6 pm

When: online and occasionally in a hybrid format

Registration via email for online access

Who: TU, HU and the Leibniz Centre for Contemporary History Research 

The Green Thread. Lecture series of the Sustainability Office of the HU

The Sustainability Office invites you to explore new aspects of the sustainability discourse from an interdisciplinary perspective. Attendees will meet not only speakers from the academic world, but also activists and committed individuals who are tackling the sustainability transition themselves through their projects.

Registration for the lecture series via email at studium-oecologicum☞ Please insert an @ at this point ☜hu-berlin☞ Please insert a period at this pointde

When: from 16 April 2026, Thursdays, 4–6 pm

Where: Dorotheenstraße 24, Room 1.101, 10117 Berlin and hybrid

Who: Sustainability Office of the HU