New Alliance for Peace, Conflict, and Security Research
The University of Bayreuth is a founding member of the Bavarian Science Alliance for Peace, Conflict, and Security Research (FoKS), which kicked off during the Munich Security Conference.
The Bayreuth team at the event of the Bavarian Science Alliance for Peace, Conflict, and Security Research (FoKS) from left PD Dr. Eichenberg, Prof. Dr. Jana Hönke, PD Dr. Florian P. Kühn, Dr. Jan Sändig.
The Bavarian Science Alliance for Peace, Conflict, and Security Research (FoKS) celebrated a successful launch with the "Fellow Assembly" on 13-14 February 2025, at the Munich School of Philosophy. The Bavarian Science Alliance consolidates scientific expertise in Bavaria on the themes of peace, security, and conflict. It integrates social, technical, natural, and humanities approaches to develop scientific perspectives on global security challenges and to work out societal and political solutions in dialogue with decision-makers. In doing so, the alliance commits to strengthening democratic, liberal, and rule-based structures at the national, European, and international levels.
The establishment of the Bavarian Science Alliance for Peace, Conflict, and Security Research (FoKS) was significantly advanced by networking activities within the framework of the BMBF research network "Bavarian Center for Peace and Conflict Research: Contested Interpretations in Transition." Since April 2022, this network has brought together scholars from the Universities of Bayreuth, Augsburg, and Erlangen-Nürnberg, as well as from the Institute for Contemporary History Munich–Berlin. The coordination is managed by the University of Bayreuth. The research network will explore the role and impact of interpretative conflicts on political transformation processes—a highly topical issue in times of populism and geopolitical shifts. At the same time, it will strengthen the networking of peace and conflict researchers in Bavaria and engages with outreach activities in public and political spheres to establish the research field in the region and make scientific expertise accessible. These activities will be accompanied at the University of Bayreuth by the network UBT Peace and Conflict Research, founded in October 2022, which will serve to further develop and strengthen peace and conflict research in Bayreuth. With the Bayreuth Peace Talks, we also offer successful advisory events on societal and political issues.
The side event of the Bavarian Science Alliance for Peace, Conflict, and Security Research (FoKS) during the Munich Security Conference at Café Luitpold.
The Munich Security Conference provided an ideal setting for the topics of the Bavarian Science Alliance for Peace, Conflict, and Security Research. Thus, the FoKS side event at the MSC was well-attended. Under the title "Pushing the Frontier: Assessing the Opportunities and Risks of AI for Peace and War," renowned experts discussed the impacts of Artificial Intelligence on global security issues at Café Luitpold. The discussion focused on the role of AI in the security architecture, the threats posed by cybercrime, and technology's potential for peacekeeping. A central outcome was the realization that AI can be both a threat and an opportunity for peace. The need for Europe to take action in the field of AI and the necessity for a welcoming culture for international AI experts in Germany were particularly emphasized.