The project explored the period of upheaval in Bavaria following the First World War, financially supported by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) as part of the consortium Conflicts.Meanings.Transitions.

Read more on the exhibition, which will be available as a virtual toor online soon, in a recent article in the Bayreuth university magazine UBT Aktuell.

Der Beitrag ‘From the university to the museum’ (University magazine UBTaktuell) erschien zuerst auf Conflicts.Meanings.Transitions.

PD Dr. Daniel Stahl, historian at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and our colleague at Conflicts.Meanings.Transitions, has studied the attempts to regulate the international arms trade in the interwar period. In the new edition of “Zu Gast bei L.I.S.A.”, an interview format of the Gerda Henkel Foundation’s science portal, he talks about the ambivalence of the peace order at that time and draws parallels to today’s global rearmament.

You can find more on this topic in Daniel Stahl’s current publication: “Bedrohliches Geschäft – Waffenhandel und Völkerrecht in Zeiten imperialer Expansion” (Threatening Business – Arms Trade and International Law in Times of Imperial Expansion).

Photo: L.I.S.A.

Der Beitrag War as business: Interview with PD Dr. Daniel Stahl on the international arms trade in the interwar period erschien zuerst auf Conflicts.Meanings.Transitions.

Around 40 interested citizens listened to the lecture, in which Hanna Israel impressively demonstrated the potential of personal one-to-one conversations between divergent voices. As the former head of the international dialog platform My Country Talks (2020-2024), she gave insights into the innovative project that brings people with opposing views together – “Tinder for politics”, as she herself puts it. The aim: to break down prejudices and bridge political divides.

In her lecture, she presented, among other things, scientific findings that show how direct conversations can reduce affective polarization. It also became clear how important constructive journalism is, which does not focus on exaggeration but on solution-oriented reporting – for example in the context of conflicts such as in Gaza or Ukraine.

The subsequent discussion, moderated by Prof. Dr. Jana Hönke (member of the research association Conflicts.Meanings.Transitions), enabled a lively debate on the topic. Participants took the opportunity to ask questions and contribute their own perspectives – critical voices were also heard.

With events like this, the Bayreuth Peace Talks continue to contribute to strengthening social dialog and give an important voice to the topics of peace and conflict research in Bavaria.

Listen to the event recording (in German) here:

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All news, events and projects from the network can be found here.

Der Beitrag Event recap: Bayreuth Peace Talks – Political polarization and the power of dialogue erschien zuerst auf Conflicts.Meanings.Transitions.

Kühn, who is a senior lecturer in peace and conflict research at the University of Gothenburg and conducts research on the Taliban, explains in the interview the possible links between the international crystal trade and the Taliban’s sources of income. Healing stones are particularly popular in Sweden – with potentially far-reaching geopolitical consequences.

According to Kühn, it is likely that many of the crystals sold come from Afghanistan. Even if the origin cannot always be clearly proven, it cannot be ruled out that the Taliban are indirectly benefiting from this trade route. Rising global demand could also further boost supply from Afghanistan and mining there.

The interview underlines how social interpretations and everyday practices – such as the spiritual use of crystals – can overlap with political and economic realities. Such interdependencies are part of the complex negotiations of meaning and responsibility that our network also deals with.

You can find the full report on Swedish television here.

Der Beitrag Afghan crystals in Sweden: Florian Kühn interviewed on Swedish television erschien zuerst auf Conflicts.Meanings.Transitions.

Promoting peace as part of urban culture – the Chair of Political Science, Peace and Conflict Research at the University of Augsburg also contributes to this effort. That is why the latest episode of “Augsburg direkt” centers around peace, as discussed by Mayor Eva Weber and Prof. Dr. Christoph Weller.

What does it actually mean to be a Peace City – beyond ceremonial occasions? How can peace be lived, researched, and translated into practice in everyday life? Why is this particularly exciting in Augsburg? How has our understanding of peace changed? And what is the new Transfer Center Peace Augsburg all about?

In the conversation between Weber and Weller, the focus is on the potential of constructive conflict resolution and where it is needed within an urban society. They explore how academic research and practical action work hand in hand to promote peace as a part of diverse urban culture – and how the Transfer Center Peace Augsburg connects the university and the city in Augsburg, the Peace City.

The Chair of Political Science, Peace and Conflict Research at the University of Augsburg, headed by Prof. Dr. Christoph Weller, is a member of the research network Conflicts.Meanings.Transitions.

Der Beitrag Peace and conflict researcher Christoph Weller in conversation with Mayor Eva Weber at the “Augsburg direkt” podcast (in German) erschien zuerst auf Conflicts.Meanings.Transitions.

Listen and download here

Der Beitrag Book review – Deutschlandfunk: “Zur Intervention. Afghanistan und die Folgen” erschien zuerst auf Conflicts.Meanings.Transitions.