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Panel discussion: "Academia under Pressure" (in German)

Tuesday, 13 January 2026, 14:15–15:45 Uhr, Campus Golm, room 2.27.0.01 

How free are research and teaching in the context of current crises –
… and how can we create conditions that protect our research, teaching and learning?

The Academic Staff Council cordially invites all members of the university to the panel discussion “Academia under Pressure.”

Different perspectives from federal, state and university politics will come together.
The panelists are:

  • Tobias Dünow, State Secretary for Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg
  • Prof Oliver Günther, Ph. D., President of the University of Potsdam
  • Dr. Andreas Keller, Head of the Higher Education and Research Department of the GEW
  • Isabelle Vandre, Member of the German Bundestag, member of the Finance Committee; former spokesperson for higher-education and research policy of her parliamentary group in the Brandenburg state parliament (Die Linke)
  • Maja Wallstein, Member of the German Bundestag, member of the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment (SPD)

The discussion will focus on how our university can be protected in times of a political shift to the right, growing privatisation, increasing dependence on third-party funding, and the urgent need to reform fixed-term employment law and qualification frameworks in academia, among other issues.

After the discussion, the trade unions invite you to coffee and cake. Members of the Academic Staff Council will be available for informal conversations about your employment conditions and the upcoming staff council elections.

Staff Council Elections 2026: Get involved!

As in April 2026, a new Staff Council for academic and artistic staff will be elected. This election determines who will represent your interests vis-à-vis the university management over the next four years.

The Staff Council works to promote fair employment conditions, transparent procedures, good qualification opportunities and the effective exercise of participation rights. This work depends on a broad range of perspectives and experiences.

If you would like to help shape working conditions at the University of Potsdam, we encourage you to get involved and stand as a candidate.
No prior experience is required – new members will be supported throughout the process.

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact the Academic Staff Council at: wimipr@uni-potsdam.de

We also invite you to our online information sessions, where we will explain the work of the Staff Council and the election process:

Zoom:       https://uni-potsdam.zoom-x.de/j/69167303421
Access code:     74907856

  • Friday, 16 January 2026, 11:30–12:00
  • Wednesday, 21 January 2026, 14:00–14:30

Both sessions cover the same content – choose whichever date suits you best.

If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to raise an issue with us, you can contact us at wimipruni-potsdamde at any time.

With collegial regards
Your Academic Staff Council