Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 18h

"Russian meddling matters. But it belongs on page two. The main threat to liberal democracy lies closer to home: in its defenders’ failure to confront the political reality voters keep signaling." - @europesfutures.bsky.social Fellow
Maciej Kisilowski for @projectsyndicate.bsky.social 👇

Project Syndicate @projectsyndicate.bsky.social · 1d

Russia’s electoral interference in Western democracies is well documented. But it is a mistake to exaggerate the impact – or to assume that wielding the “Russia card” can discredit populists, argues Maciej Kisilowski.
bit.ly/47cSTx0

Blaming Russia Won’t Stop the Populist Right

Maciej Kisilowski advises democrats in Europe and elsewhere to acknowledge voter sentiment and strategize accordingly.

bit.ly

IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 1d

📚 Neue Publikation 📚

In ‚Jenseits der Genies‘ hinterfragt Thomas Haigh, der vergangenes Jahr Digital Humanism Fellow des IWM war, etablierte Narrative zur frühen Computerarbeit. Die digitale Revolution vollzog sich laut Haigh in kleinen Schritten:

👉 www.iwm.at/news/jenseit...

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 1d

We have some spots left for tonight's lecture! Join Marta Bucholc and Ludger Hagedorn at our library this evening👇

IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 8d

Join us for our upcoming lecture with Marta Bucholc! In her talk, the sociologist examines how nationalism in post-transitional societies reshapes debates on family, sexuality, and reproduction—often restricting rights once seen as part of democratic progress.

➡️ www.iwm.at/event/nation...

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 2d

We mourn the loss of Claus Offe, a luminous scholar, generous friend, and cherished member of the IWM community: www.iwm.at/news/claus-o...

IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 3d

In one of this week’s most popular IWM YouTube videos, historian Maria Todorova explores the shifting horizons of the Balkans, their transient lifespan as a geopolitical construct, and the role of race in understanding the region’s history. Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaoG...

MARIA TODOROVA: Tracing the Balkans or Mission Possible: Fallout

The Balkans: Mission Possible (Part I) IWM Lectures in Human Sciences Maria Todorova, Misha Glenny Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 18:00 CEST Aula am Campus, Spitalgasse 2, Hof 1, Wien, 1090 No, it is…

www.youtube.com

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 4d

“War has been living in my home for ten years already.”
Ukrainian activist Olena Apchel recounts her experiences of ongoing conflict, displacement, and resilience in 'The Story of a Girl' (Dwutygodnik), blending memory, survival, and activism. www.iwm.at/documenting-...

The Story of a Girl

In the Dwutygodnik article, Ukrainian activist Olena Apchel shares her personal experience of loss and mourning shaped by wartime realities. She reflects on family memories, the long grieving process…

www.iwm.at

IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 5d

You have two more weeks to apply for the ERC Mentoring Initiative! The online workshop on 4–5 December 2025 supports researchers in the humanities & social sciences from Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe preparing ERC Starting or Consolidator Grant applications.
www.iwm.at/blog/erc-men...

ERC Mentoring Initiative

Deadline for applications: 16 October 2025

www.iwm.at

IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 7d

We are delighted to welcome eight new visiting fellows this month!

👉 From Wittgenstein to Socialist Yugoslavia to gender identity—learn more about their research here: www.iwm.at/news/visitin...

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 8d

Join us for our upcoming lecture with Marta Bucholc! In her talk, the sociologist examines how nationalism in post-transitional societies reshapes debates on family, sexuality, and reproduction—often restricting rights once seen as part of democratic progress.

➡️ www.iwm.at/event/nation...

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Reposted by IWM Vienna

EvaKonzett @evakonzett.bsky.social · 11d

Wir sind im Studio und nehmen die nächste Staffel #futurediscontinuous auf. Ich sags mit grosser Freude und ein bisschen Stolz: Es ist die beste bisher. Von Trump bis Dschingis Khan. Stalin nehmen wir auch mit. #comingsoon @iwm.at

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 11d

ON EDGE: The final panelists of this year's #VHF25 are Victor Blüml @meduniwien.ac.at and @hzeavin.bsky.social, who will explore the state of our psychological well-being in light of the rapid changes our societies are undergoing.

👉 Join the discussion: www.humanitiesfestival.at/closing-pane...

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 12d

Einen Vorschmack auf ihr morgiges Panel gibt es schon heute auf @radiofm4 – gleich zwischen 17 und 19 Uhr bei OKFM4: fm4.orf.at/player/live

ORF-Radio

Das digitale Radioangebot des ORF. Alle öffentlich rechtlichen Radiosender Österreichs auf einer Plattform. Live und 7 Tage lang im Stream on Demand.

fm4.orf.at

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 12d

Desinformation gefährdet die Demokratie. Welche Erwartungen muss politische Kommunikation heute erfüllen? Im Gespräch mit @frederick65.ft.com, FT Literary Editor, erörtert Europe's Futures Fellow Leonie Haiden diese und weitere Fragen morgen auf dem #VHF25.

➡️ www.humanitiesfestival.at/haiden

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 13d

📖 This Saturday, renowned philosopher, sociologist, and author Didier Eribon takes the stage at Volkstheater Vienna. In this final #VHF25 keynote, he will explore questions of voice, visibility, and agency, based on his latest book. @suhrkamp.de

👉 www.humanitiesfestival.at/didier-eribon

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 14d

📣 Vienna Humanities Festival kicking off today 📣

We look forward to five days of thought-provoking lectures and discussions with some of the world's leading minds from academia, journalism, literature, and the arts.

👉 Check out the full program: www.humanitiesfestival.at

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 15d

🗣️ Gerät freie Meinung zunehmend unter Druck?

Auf dem #VHF25 diskutieren Politologe Yascha Mounk und Falter-Journalistin @tessaszy.bsky.social, wie die gegenwärtige Debattenlandschaft droht, zwischen „woke“ und „anti-woke“ zerrieben zu werden.

👉 www.humanitiesfestival.at/mounk

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 17d

Why are illiberal & far-right movements gaining ground in Europe & the U.S.? In one of this week's most popular YouTube videos, Marlène Laruelle goes beyond politics & populism to uncover the deeper cultural shifts fueling this rise.

🎥 Rewatch her lecture here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwRM...

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 18d

Democracy or dystopia?

At the Vienna Humanities Festival, best-selling novelist @naomialderman.bsky.social joins IWM Rector @mishaglenny.bsky.social to explore how AI, quantum computing & robotics are reshaping our collective humanity.

👉 www.humanitiesfestival.at/alderman

#VHF25

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 20d

⚔️ Der Deutsche Bauernkrieg von 1525 war kein bloßer Nebenschauplatz der Reformation. Im Eröffnungsvortrag des #VHF beleuchtet Historikerin Lyndal Roper (@ox.ac.uk) die wahre Tragweite dieses Aufstands, gefolgt von einem Gespräch mit @mishaglenny.bsky.social.

➡️ www.humanitiesfestival.at/lyndal-roper

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 21d

🚨Last call for applications 🚨

Join the IWM as a Digital Humanism Junior Visiting Fellow for three months in spring 2026! The deadline is 21 September. Apply now: www.iwm.at/program/digi...

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 22d

Read his latest interview with @derStandardat (in German) here: www.derstandard.at/story/300000...

Historiker Radchenko: Putins Sorge vor China ist unsere größte Hoffnung für Frieden

Der Drohnenvorfall in Polen belegt Putins Eskalationspotenzial, sagt der russisch-britische Historiker Sergey Radchenko. Trumps Angebot besserer Beziehungen nach Kriegsende hält er dennoch für geschic...

www.derstandard.at

IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 22d

At this year's Vienna Humanities Festival, Cold War historian @radchenko.bsky.social and IWM Rector @mishaglenny.bsky.social discuss the Soviet collapse, Russia & Ukraine, and what history reveals about Putin’s worldview.

👉 Join the conversation: www.humanitiesfestival.at/radchenko

#VHF25

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 23d

🎉 The Vienna Humanities Festival 2025 is almost here! From 24-28 September, join us for in-depth conversations with some of the greatest thinkers of our time as they tackle the currents of change in politics, technology, culture, and ecology🌍

👉 humanitiesfestival.at

#VHF #VHF25

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 25d

⚡In an age of political extremes, social tension & tech disruption, can humanism still guide us? At the Vienna Humanities Festival, author and philosopher Rob Riemen explores why we need humanism more than ever, in conversation with conductor Yoel Gamzou. #VHF25

👉 www.humanitiesfestival.at/riemen

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IWM Vienna @iwm.at · 26d

Spain’s 20th century was shaped by one man in particular: dictator Francisco Franco (1892–1975). Why does his legacy remain so hard to confront?

➡️ Join @casanovahistory.bsky.social from @unizar.es and Judit Carrera at this year's #VHF to learn more: www.humanitiesfestival.at/casanova

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