Conference "Exploring Otherness on Earth and beyond: Bridging the gap between natural sciences, social sciences and humanities"
We are pleased to announce the joined conference "Exploring Otherness on Earth and beyond: Bridging the gap between natural sciences, social sciences and humanities" funded by the European Astrobiology Institute and the Einstein Foundation and held at Freie Universität Berlin campus Lankwitz in spring of 2025, 9-11 April. The format aims to understand otherness from the perspective of the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities and to integrate the different perspectives on otherness into a multidisciplinary approach. The meeting is planned for approximately 50 participants and participation in the conference is by application and invitation, therefore an early registration is recommended. A limited budget for (partial) travel support is available.
Scientific sessions
The following sessions are planned, with a mixture of invited and contributed oral presentations:
● Other Life: Search for alien life
● Other Worlds: Colonization of Moon and Mars
● Other Earth: Alien environments and human catastrophes
● Philosophical and theological views on otherness
● Communication science and psychology
Preliminary schedule
The conference will begin on 9 April 2025 at 1:30 pm and end on 11 April at 5pm.
All submitted abstracts have been accepted for the conference and will be allocated a 20-min oral slot including questions (longer oral slots are foreseen for keynote talks). The full programme will be available in mid-March.
| Wednesday 9 April | Thursday 10 April | Friday 11 April | |
| Morning | Oral sessions | Oral sessions | |
| Afternoon | Welcome and oral sessions | Oral sessions | Discussion and wrap-up |
| Late afternoon | Discussion | Discussion | Adjourn |
| Evening | Social event | Wine and cheese networking | |
Venue and access
The conference will be hosted by the Freie Universität Berlin on the GeoCampus Lankwitz, Malteserstr. 74-100, 12249 Berlin, Germany, in building C. The building including access to lecture rooms has a free barrier entrance. The campus also has a free parking garage (entrance from Preysingstr.) open for guests.
The closest bus stations are Emmichstr. (bus line X83, connecting to the train stations S Lankwitz, line S25/S26, and a bit further away S Rathaus Steglitz, lines S1 as well as U9) and Am Gemeindepark (bus line 283, connecting to train station S Marienfelde, train line S2). Tickets for bus and train/metro can be bought at the train stations, when entering the bus (no cash), or via the BVG app.
Registration
The conference is limited to approximately 50 participants.
The registration is now closed.
Organizing committee
The conference is organized by the members of the Einstein circle together with the European Astrobiology Insitute. The LOC is chaired by Lena Noack, Steffi Pohl and Christoph Gross.
In case of questions, please do not hesitate to contact Christoph Gross.