Interdisziplinäre Lehre: Meeting Global Challenges
Science and responsibility
Workshop on Science Diplomacy
Registration
Registration takes place via RWTHonline and is possible from 01.09.2026 to 04.10.2026. Further information on the registration process can be found in the FAQs.
All students can register for one course. You can specify two preferences. To do so, please use the ‘high’ priority and the one directly below it. For instructions, please click here. If you have not been allocated a place at the end of the allocation process and are still interested in participating in a course, please contact sibel.yildirim@ipw.rwth-aachen.de.
(If you have any problems with registration, please contact Ms Sibel Yildirim (IPW) at sibel.yildirim@ipw.rwth-aachen.de, stating your matriculation number. If you have any general questions about the course, please contact the person listed below.)
We welcome your questions and comments. You can contact us here! (The ‘Leonardo’ project is also on Facebook and Instagram).
Academic Responsibility
VeSPoTec Managing Director, RWTH Aachen
Chair of Political Theory and History of Political Ideas, RWTH Aachen
Contact Person
Elena Maria Hörkens
Schedule
Start
14.01.2027
Time
14.01.2027 (09-16 h)
15.01.2027 (09-16 Uhr)
29.01.2027 (09 – 12:30 h)
Place
Leonarado-Room
Description
When Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney referred at the beginning of the year at the World
Economic Forum in Davos to a “break” in the global order, he articulated a sentiment widely shared in
view of the current state of the liberal international system. Numerous conflicts are emerging or
intensifying, deepening divisions and antagonisms between states. At the same time, global challenges
such as the climate crisis, pandemics, and migration are highly complex and can only be addressed
collectively. Within individual states as well, signs of systemic fragmentation are increasingly visible, as
populist actors contribute to political destabilization and societal polarization.
This workshop explores the potential roles of scientific actors in such a strained global context. How can
universities and researchers, with their specialized expertise and international networks of cooperation,
assume responsibility and contribute both to addressing global challenges and to bridging political
divides? In what ways can scientists act as effective diplomats?
Building on an introduction to the concept of science diplomacy, participants will collaboratively
develop innovative, practice-oriented ideas using design thinking methodologies. Working in
interdisciplinary teams, they will translate these ideas into concrete prototypes and pilot projects.
Learning Outcomes
The workshop follows a two-day working format, concluding with a presentation day. It is based on
design thinking methods and includes the following elements:
• Introduction to the concept of science diplomacy and the role of science in global contexts;
• Introduction to design thinking methodologies;
• Interdisciplinary group work;
• Development, testing, and iteration of prototypes;
• Final presentations in a pitch format.
Program
14.01.2027
Workshop Day 1
Dr. Ana de la Varga, VeSPoTec Managing Director, RWTH Aachen &
Dr. David Terwiel, Chair of Political Theory and History of Political Ideas, RWTH Aachen
15.01.2027
Workshop Day 2
Dr. Ana de la Varga, VeSPoTec Managing Director, RWTH Aachen &
Dr. David Terwiel, Chair of Political Theory and History of Political Ideas, RWTH Aachen
29.01.2027
Presentation
Dr. Ana de la Varga, VeSPoTec Managing Director, RWTH Aachen &
Dr. David Terwiel, Chair of Political Theory and History of Political Ideas, RWTH Aachen
Procedure/Working method
Depending on the course of studies, module and examination, credit points can be achieved through participation. If you would like to take an exam, please make sure beforehand how you can get credit for it in your degree program. Of course, you can also take exams without receiving curricular credit for them. Visit our FAQs for more information.
Certificate
Project work (4 CP, graded)
