A look at German universities in the 20th century shows that extremism can find space not only in politics and society, but also in science. The turn of the Karlsruhe computer science pioneer Karl Steinbuch to right-wing extremism is an example of this. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has distanced itself from Steinbuch’s political stance and renamed the information technology center named after him the “Scientific Computing Center”. Against this background, the KIT is organizing a conference on July 17, 2024 on the question “What does ‘never again’ mean here?”.
The public is invited to the evening program of the conference. Register here
“Science is based on openness, tolerance, and diversity. Living and defending these values, as well as the liberal order and fundamental rights, is part of a responsible scientific culture,” says Professor Kora Kristof, Vice President for Digitalization and Sustainability at KIT. “That is why it is important and part of KIT’s culture to look at our own history, to research it scientifically, and to actively engage with it.”
Conference on the prevention of political extremism
The KIT Archive, which is also organizing the conference, is dealing with the historical manifestations of extremism at KIT. The focus is on topics such as current manifestations of extremism in Germany, individual radicalization processes, and fields of action for professional prevention.
“With this event, we want to send the message that KIT is critical of extremism and rejects it,” said Dr. Klaus Nippert, head of the KIT archive and organizer of the event. “Extremism is directed against the free order of our country and against basic rights. It is important to review and further develop our own understanding of institutional responsibility as a scientific organization towards extremism and to gather suggestions for institutional prevention.”
On January 1, 2024, KIT renamed its information technology center “Scientific Computing Center.” Previously, it had been called “Steinbuch Center for Computing” since 2008.
https://www.kit.edu/kit/pi_2023_092_kit-benennt-informationstechnologie-zentrum-um.php
What does ‘Never again’ mean here?
Questions and answers on KIT’s approach to political extremism
Conference on the occasion of the renaming of the Scientific Computing Center at KIT
Public evening program
Participation only after registration
19:00-19:15 Welcome
Professor Oliver Kraft, representing the President of KIT
19:15-20:00 Keynote: The political debate on extremism in Baden-Württemberg. Review, current situation and perspectives
Rüdiger Soldt, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
20:00-21:30 Panel discussion: Political and religious extremism – a topic for scientific organizations?
Mathieu Coquelin, Department of Extremism Distancing Stuttgart
Dr. Rolf Frankenberger, Institute for Right-Wing Extremism Research at the University of Tübingen
Dr. Désirée Schauz, Institute for Technology Futures, Department of History at KIT
Rüdiger Soldt, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Dr. Felix Steinbrenner, State Office for Political Education Baden-Württemberg
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