External event announcement: ‘Science for Democracy’ Symposium

Science for Democracy

Venue — Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities

Date — 6 October 2026, 8.30 am

Registration deadline — 22 September 2026

Researchers from various disciplines will discuss threats to science and democracy and develop counter-strategies — ranging from Covid disinformation to illiberal government policies.

Recent years have clearly demonstrated how closely scientific findings, public trust and democratic structures are interlinked. At the same time, science and its practitioners worldwide are increasingly confronted with disinformation, scepticism towards science, as well as political interference and restrictions on academic freedom.

Against this backdrop, the symposium brings together leading national and international scientists from various disciplines to examine current threats to science and democracy and to discuss possible counter-strategies. Drawing on the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the symposium will address challenges such as disinformation, society’s approach to scientific evidence, and the impact of illiberal and authoritarian government policies on science. First-hand accounts from affected scientists and panel discussions will provide opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange with participants.

The symposium is jointly organised by the German Society for Infectious Diseases (DGI), the Society for Virology (GfV), the Charité Centre for Global Health (CCGH) and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF).