2026 | RESEARCH >> IN::SECURITY

Insecurity has become a defining and complex condition of contemporary societies. Within the framework of the Opening Days 2026, this year's academic program on “Research >> In::Security” invites the Graduate School community to examine this phenomenon from an interdisciplinary perspective.

This year's theme goes beyond traditional security concepts. We aim to explore how vulnerability and instability affect diverse fields, including digital infrastructure, climate, mental health, and economic structures. Instead of focusing solely on insecurity, the discourse will address how security is produced, distributed, and contested in practice.

The event provides a shared starting point for new master’s and doctoral candidates to engage in cross-faculty exchange. All members of the university community are warmly invited to participate in the opening and closing keynote events.

You will be able to find more information about the program here on this website soon.

Welcoming:

Prof. Dr. Simone Abels,Vice President of Graduate School

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Opening Keynote:

Prof. Dr. Magda Osman, Risk Analyst, Decision Scientist and Policy Analyst at the University of Cambridge and the University of Leeds

Dr. Osman's presentation explores the dynamic intersection of science and policy. You will explore the hidden pitfalls that arise when well-meaning assumptions go unchallenged, as even virtuous ones can lead us astray. Through vivid illustrations based on direct personal experience, Dr. Osman will explain how she tackles the complex task of measuring the various impacts of information disorders like disinformation campaigns and AI-generated deepfakes. She will also discuss the complex role of ideology as a causal factor in understanding extremism, radicalisation, and terrorism. Both examples reveal the potential problems that can come from unchecked assumptions taking us down a path that deviates from the evidence.

At its core, this talk delivers a practical, actionable insight to the question: How do we guard against the trap of bad assumptions? The answer lies in our (academia's) greatest collective strength: the power to ask incisive, thought-provoking questions. By sharpening our ability to question, we uncover the truth and help reduce uncertainty. In doing so, we build a more resilient foundation for science-informed policy.