Public lecture series focusses on the "Meltdown of democracy"

All interested parties are invited to attend free of charge in the central lecture theatre building, Audimax 2, on the main campus of BTU Cottbus. Registration is not required.

About the lecture

Democracies are only as strong as the political will to hold on to them. Norms play a central role in this - they regulate the areas of our coexistence that are not explicitly laid down in laws or constitutions. However, as the foundation of democratic stability, norms do not enjoy the same protection as constitutions and are therefore particularly easy targets for political power games. This lecture will focus on the consequences of violations of norms for the stability of democratic systems - and what nuclear power plants have in common with democracies.

The lecture is organised in cooperation with and with the kind support of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Brandenburg.
Further information on the Brandenburg office of the FES

Moderator: Prof. Dr Magdalena Mißler-Behr, BTU, Chair of ABWL, in particular Planning, Innovation and Foundation

Date: Wednesday, 28 January 2026, 17:30 to 19:00
Location: Main campus of the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Central Lecture Hall Building,
Audimax 2, Konrad-Wachsmann-Allee 3, 03046 Cottbus

About the officer

Dr Christoph M. Abels holds a PhD in Behavioural Science and a Master's degree in Public Policy from the Hertie School in Berlin. He works as a science communicator and strategy consultant at the intersection of Psychology, Politics and Digital Transformation. His key research areas are the causes of democratic erosion, the potential of behavioural science to mitigate it, and the societal consequences of global autocratisation. Since 2022, he has been a postdoctoral researcher in the European Research Council (ERC) funded project PRODEMINFO (Protecting the Democratic Information Space in Europe) at the University of Potsdam .

About the lecture series Open BTU

From 15 October 2025 to 28 January 2026, the public lecture series "Open BTU" will offer insights into exciting fields of knowledge. During the winter semester, the following topics were examined from different perspectives:

Aerospace - Lusatian research above the clouds
Democracy - past, present and future prospects

With this educational format, which is open to all interested parties, the university's Centre for Continuing Education supports lifelong learning and funds the transfer of knowledge and ideas in the region by addressing socially relevant issues. The BTU co-operates with other universities and institutions. Each lecture will be followed by an opportunity for questions and dialogue with the speakers. Anyone interested is cordially invited to take part in the wide range of events on offer.

More about the Open BTU public lecture series