Race and Responsibility in International Law: From Colonial Violence to Contemporary Justice Claims
When: Wed, 25.11.2026 6:15 PM until 7:45 PM
Where: Universität Hamburg, Hauptgebäude, Edmund-Siemers-Allee 1, 20146 Hamburg, Hörsaal H
Race and Responsibility in International Law: From Colonial Violence to Contemporary Justice Claims
(Critiquing) Racism in Academia
Perspectives for Teaching, Research, and Administration
Up to now, research on racism has occupied a niche position at German universities. The report Zwischen Prekarität und Institutionalisierung. Eine Bestandsaufnahme der Rassismusforschung in Deutschland (2015–2025) (Between precarity and institutionalization: Taking stock of racism research in Germany [2015–2025]) by the Knowledge Network of Racism Research (WinRa) summarizes research on racism at German higher education institutions and reminds us that, nationwide, there are only three professorships that explicitly focus on racism research. In addition, there are no stand-alone degree programs on critical approaches to racism, and curricula or modules on racism are systematically missing from academic disciplines. Further shortcomings of German racism research include a lack of institutional anchoring of anti-racism initiatives as well as insufficient financial and personnel resources.
This lecture series introduces participants to a range of critical approaches to racism through zooming in on some of the key themes racism researchers are exploring at German institutions today. While conveying insights from racism research and giving visibility to often marginalized perspectives, it also hopes to raise awareness of the dangers of the virulent racializing stances that are becoming increasingly common in public discourses. The lecture series also intends to provide new input for expanding and intensifying racism-critical research and teaching at the University of Hamburg and elsewhere. The series is aimed at students, instructors, and staff, as well as the interested public in Hamburg.
The lecture series is organized by the project group Collective Responsibility. Combating Racism at Universities with support from the Faculty of Humanities Equal Opportunity Office, the Equity Unit, the University of Hamburg Antidiscrimination Center, the Faculty of Education and the Clusters of Excellence CLICCS and UWA. The lecture series is funded by the University of Hamburg Equal Opportunity Fund.
Be aware that some of the lectures in this series will be held in German.