Transformative Science in Times of a Shift to the Right – Role, Responsibility and Courses of Action

The noticeable shift to the right in society and the possibility of AfD-led state governments are also a concern for the academic community: how might these political and social developments influence the framework within research and teaching are conducted? Sustainability and transformative science, in particular, are facing a political backlash.

Against this backdrop, the Research Institute for Sustainability at the GFZ (RIFS) is hosting a dialogue forum on the topic ‘Transformative science in times of a shift to the right – role, responsibility and options for action’. With this event, we aim to create a space for exchange and joint reflection on the role that science can play in society at a time of a shift to the right, and on the responsibilities, as well as the opportunities and limitations, that this entails for researchers.

The event is primarily aimed at researchers, but is also intended to facilitate dialogue with stakeholders from civil society and the political sphere. Our aim is not so much to provide ready-made answers, but rather to bring together different perspectives and initiate an open dialogue. We are thus building on the discussions from the RIFS conference „Tough Conversations in Tough Times“ in December 2025 and bringing together further voices from academia and politics.