Diversity Discourses
Transdisciplinary project for the generation and reflection of scientific contributions to the discourse on migration and equal opportunities
Diversity Discourses
“Diversity Discourses” is a transdisciplinary project of the Center for Global Competence at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, led by Prof. Dr. Petia Genkova. The project focuses on scientific contributions to societal debates on migration, equal opportunities, diversity, and participation.
The aim is to strengthen the role of scientific perspectives in public discourse, bring different societal positions into dialogue, and develop perspectives for action for academia, higher education, politics, and practice.
Enquiries about the project can be sent to vd@hs-osnabrueck.de.
Final Event: Diversity Discourses for Democracy
How can scientific perspectives foster dialogue on diversity while also making conflicts, inequalities, and exclusion visible?
On Wednesday, 14 October 2026, the Center for Global Competence at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences invites you to the final event of the project “Diversity Discourses”. The event will take place in person at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences and will also be streamed online via Zoom.
The event focuses on scientific perspectives on diversity, democracy, societal dialogue, as well as conflicts, inequalities, and exclusion in current diversity discourses. Participation is free of charge.
Please note: The keynotes will begin at 11:00 a.m. and have been scheduled so that they can also be followed online during an extended lunch break.
Programme
(preliminary)
09:00 – Welcome at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences
Welcome by the project team, representatives of Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, and further participants.
09:30 – Press photo
10:00 – Presentation of Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences
Introduction to Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences and the institutional framework of the event.
10:30 – Coffee break
11:00 – Keynotes
With contributions by Prof. Michael Morley, Prof. Andrea Reichenberger, and Prof. Mirko Antino.
The keynotes form the central academic part of the event. The time slot has been chosen so that online participation is also possible during an extended lunch break.
13:30 – Lunch
14:30 – Fishbowl discussion
Joint discussion of the central questions of the event with perspectives from academia, higher education, practice, and the public.
16:00 – End of the online stream
17:00 – Reception at Osnabrück City Hall
A reception at Osnabrück City Hall is planned afterwards for on-site participants.
19:00 – Social dinner
Informal closing dinner at Rampendahl.
Prof. Michael Morley, University of Limerick
Prof. Michael Morley brings an international perspective to the event. His contribution opens up perspectives on questions of diversity, organisation, and societal responsibility from an international academic viewpoint.
Prof. Andrea Reichenberger, Technical University of Munich
Prof. Andrea Reichenberger works at the intersection of the history of science, technology, and philosophy. Her research reflects on science and technology from intersectional and gender-sensitive perspectives. At the event, she will contribute a perspective on how scientific knowledge production, societal responsibility, and questions of diversity are connected.
Prof. Mirko Antino, Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Prof. Mirko Antino brings a social and organisational psychology perspective to the event. His academic work connects psychological research with questions of cooperation, organisation, and societal dialogue. His contribution therefore complements the discussion on how diversity is negotiated in institutions, groups, and public discourses, and on the conditions that enable productive engagement with differences, conflicts, and exclusion.
For on-site participation, we kindly ask you to register in advance. Registration is non-binding and helps us with organisational planning, particularly regarding room capacities.
Water, hot drinks, snacks, and a light lunch will be provided during the event.
Participation in the event is free of charge.
Register now for on-site participation
Directions and rooms
(to follow)
The event will be streamed via Zoom. The online stream includes the programme at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences and ends after the fishbowl discussion at 16:00.
Target Groups
The event is aimed at people from academia, higher education, administration, politics, civil society, science communication, and the interested public who engage with diversity, participation, equal opportunities, migration, democratic dialogue, and social cohesion.
It is particularly aimed at stakeholders who help shape diversity discourses in higher education institutions, organisations, public institutions, or civil society contexts.
Contact
For questions about the event, please contact Henrik Schreiber at vd@hs-osnabrueck.de.
- Contact person
Prof. Dr. Petia Genkova
Phone: +49 (0)541 969-3772
E-mail: p.genkova@hs-osnabrueck.de
- Visitors' address
Hochschule Osnabrück
Room: CF 0313
Caprivistr. 30 A
49076 Osnabrück
- Postal address
Hochschule Osnabrück
Fakultät Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften
Prof. Dr. Petia Genkova
P.O. Box 1940
49009 Osnabrück