In the decades following the postmodern turns, humanists have emerged as insightful observers of societal dynamics, critically addressing the shortcomings and crises of the modern world. While mainstream commentators once heralded the “end of history,” suggesting that Western societies would enter an era of post-historical harmony, recent events have proven otherwise. Far from ceasing, history has seemingly accelerated, with stable societies experiencing rapid changes. Recent crises such as the migration emergency, the populist turn in global politics, the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Africa remind us that significant challenges are not just theoretical constructs but immediate realities.

Amid these challenges, the role of science has been transformed to align with market capitalism and technocratic progress. In some societies, the enduring myth of science as “apolitical” persists, paralleled by similar misconceptions about sports and local governance. The engagement of researchers in societal issues has become increasingly rare, and social dialogue is often sidelined as trivial. Against this backdrop, some academics argue that the role of researchers needs redefinition. Some advocate for a shift from solely critiquing society to proposing tangible solutions and alternatives. Others emphasize the necessity to “step down from the ivory towers” and foster partnerships between science, society, and politics. Influential movements like the decolonial and environmental turns are reshaping not only the methods and objects of research but also its interaction with the external world. The archetype of the committed intellectual, burdened yet resolute, is making a comeback. Meanwhile, humanists applying for grants must often demonstrate the practical applicability or even the business potential of their research. Emerging trends, such as crisis, emergency or intervention humanities, respond to these dynamics by offering new ways to address contemporary issues.

This winter school aims to explore how humanities research relates to the challenges of the modern world. What can we, as humanists, offer to a society marked by wars, migrations, pandemics, and the looming climate crisis? To what extent are we prepared to actively participate in creating new circuits of knowledge and engaging with society? What future insights can be drawn from our research—be it historical, anthropological, philosophical, or otherwise?

We are looking forward to gather PhD students, young scholars and highly motivated master students who will join a dialogue about crisis-ridden contemporary world by researching both past and current events and phenomena as well as theoretical approaches. We want to achieve this goal by using various methods of work – not only lectures by key-note presenters but also joint interdisciplinary discussions and field workshops. As young humanists, we hope that you will join our meeting and explore with us how we can address described earlier problems with our scientific work.

Application deadline: October 15th
Information about acceptance: October 20th
Application form: https://forms.office.com/e/menkD9CzVS

Organising Committee:
Michał Gęsiarz MA
Diana Mroczek MA
Aleksandra Dzik MA
Zuzanna Nalepa MA
Szymon Antosik MA

Academic supervision: prof. Ewa Domańska