HGGS - Us and Them

About HGGS - Us and Them

In the podcast series “Us and Them,” Heidelberg University’s Graduate School for the Humanities and Social Sciences (HGGS) explores how divisions between groups emerge and shape societies across cultural, political, and historical contexts. Drawing on their research, professors, doctoral researchers, and experts discuss how boundaries are formed, identities constructed, and power negotiated across disciplines, from history and literature to sociology, philosophy, law, economics and beyond. Tune in as we discuss how this theme resonates in diverse cultural, political, and theoretical contexts.

Publisher

HGGS

Category

science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Sept 2025

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

34 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Oct 2026

   Civil Society and NGOs: Stabilizers or Challengers of the Multilateral Order? – Interview with Associate Professor Dr. Dorota Heidrich, Habil. (University of Warsaw)

   Associate Professor Dr. Dorota Heidrich, Habil. (Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, University of Warsaw) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS) - How have civil society organizations and NGOs shaped the development of the multilateral order and international law? - Why is the independence of civil society organizations essential for holding governments and businesses accountable? - How can international institutions create meaningful opportunities for civil society to participate in global decision-making? In this episode, Associate Professor Dr. Dorota Heidrich, Habil. from the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Warsaw, who is also one of the contributing professors to the 4EU+ Alliance’s "META United Nations Summer School: The Resilience of Multilateralism in Times of Uncertainty", explores the complex role of civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the multilateral order. Drawing on her research in international relations and international organizations, including international non-governmental organizations, she examines how organizations that lack formal international legal personality can nevertheless influence global governance, shape international norms, and challenge the actions of states and other powerful actors. The conversation begins by examining the diverse landscape of civil society, from humanitarian and human rights organizations to think tanks, professional associations, and transnational social movements. Dr. Heidrich explains why these organizations are difficult to define and regulate internationally, highlighting the tensions between their independence, their political agendas, and their relationship with governments. The episode then traces the historical development of civil society and its contributions to international cooperation. From early anti-slavery movements and humanitarian initiatives to the establishment of the United Nations, NGOs have helped advance human rights, influence international treaties, and promote environmental protection. Dr. Heidrich also reflects on the expansion of civil society following the Cold War and the continuing inequalities between organizations from different parts of the world. The discussion also explores how NGOs can scrutinize governments and businesses and where the boundaries of legitimate resistance lie. Dr. Heidrich emphasizes that independent civil society is essential to democracy and the rule of law, while also underlining the importance of appropriate oversight and transparency. Turning to the future of multilateralism, Professor Heidrich considers how international institutions can facilitate more effective civil society participation. She highlights the importance of clear rules, genuine political commitment, and practical support for smaller organizations with limited resources. Finally, the conversation explores research opportunities in this field, including how civil society actors contribute to the emergence and contestation of international norms. Join us as we explore why civil society remains an essential yet contested force in global governance, and what its future means for the resilience of the multilateral order! Timeline (00:00) Intro (00:24) Academic Background Research Interests (02:47) Research Interests; Understanding Civil Society and NGOs (08:54) Types of Civil Society Organizations (12:37) The Historical Influence of Civil Society (30:03) Resistance, Protest, and Its Limits (37:51) Civil Society Participation in International Decision Making (44:40) Researching Civil Society (49:05) The Meta United Nations Outreach Project and Summer School (52:02) Outro Keywords Civil Society, Non-Governmental Organizations, NGOs, Multilateralism, Global Governance, International Relations, International Law, United Nations, Human Rights, Civil Resistance, Social Movements, Global Institutions, Civil Society Participation

2. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Consumer Acceptance and Consumer Preferences of Emerging Agrifood Technologies – Interview with Associate Prof. Dr. Marija Banovic (Aarhus University)

   Associate Prof. Dr. Marija Banovic (Department of Management, Aarhus University) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS) - What determines whether consumers accept and adopt emerging agrifood technologies? - How do familiarity, taste, price, culture, health, sustainability, and perceived risks shape our food choices? - How can technological innovation, consumer preferences, and sustainability be brought together to transform food systems? In this episode, Associate Prof. Dr. Marija Banovic from the Department of Management at Aarhus University discusses the complex relationship between technological innovation and consumer acceptance. Drawing on her research in consumer behavior, food innovation, and sustainability, she explains why consumer acceptance should not be treated as the final step of food innovation, but should instead be considered from the very beginning of the product development process. The conversation explores the complexity of food choices and the many factors that shape consumer decisions, from familiarity, taste, and price to cultural background, personal values, health, sustainability, and perceptions of safety. The discussion also examines the distinction between consumer acceptance and adoption, and why a technically successful product may nevertheless struggle to become part of everyday life. Dr. Banovic further discusses emerging technologies such as precision fermentation and alternative proteins, highlighting the importance of familiarity and meaningful benefits when introducing unfamiliar foods. The conversation considers differences across cultures and markets, as well as how the characteristics of particular products can influence consumer responses. The episode also turns to the circular blue-green bioeconomy and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to transforming food systems. While circularity can create opportunities to reduce waste and make better use of biological resources, the discussion emphasizes that circularity does not automatically mean sustainability. Finally, we discuss policy, consumer information, labeling, and research methodologies. Rather than simply seeking to make consumers more accepting, Dr. Banovic argues for creating conditions in which consumers can make informed choices among safe, credible, and genuinely sustainable alternatives. Join us as we explore what it takes to move emerging agrifood technologies from laboratories and innovation processes into everyday food practices and why understanding consumers is essential for creating meaningful and sustainable change! Academic Website of Associate Prof. Dr. Marija Banovic: https://www.au.dk/en/maba@mgmt.au.dk/ Website of the Centre for Sustainable Agrifood Systems (START): https://start.uni.dk/ Timeline (00:00) Intro (00:24) Academic Background and Research Interests (03:59) Why Consumer Acceptance Matters? (06:42) From Technological Innovation to Market Uptake (08:46) Understanding Consumer Behavior (10:48) Emerging Agrifood Technologies (13:47) Consumer Concerns and the Role of Familiarity (17:07) Consumer Acceptance Across Cultures and Markets (20:37) The Circular Blue-Green Bioeconomy (24:35) Environmental Trade-offs and System-Level Thinking (27:12) Policy and Consumer Acceptance (30:41) Consumer Information and Product Labeling (34:22) Research Methods for Understanding Consumer Behavior (38:31) From Laboratory Experiments to Real-World Consumer Decisions (41:11) Interdisciplinary Education and the START Summer School (46:30) Future Projects and Research (48:43) Outro Keywords Consumer Acceptance, Consumer Preferences, Agrifood Technologies, Food Innovation, Consumer Behavior, Food Marketing, Sustainability, Sustainable Food Systems, Precision Fermentation, Alternative Proteins, Novel Foods, Biotechnology, Circular Bioeconomy, Blue-Green Bioeconomy, Consumer Psychology, Food Choice, Food Sustainability, Interdisciplinary Research, Food Policy, Consumer Information, Product Labeling

3. 

   14 Sept 2026

   Relating to Others: A (Neo)Platonic Metaphysical Approach – Interview with PD Dr. Max Rohstock and Anna Maria Lambertz-Rohstock (Heidelberg University)

   PD Dr. Max Rohstock and Anna Maria Lambertz-Rohstock (Department of Philosophy, Heidelberg University) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS) • How can we cultivate an ideal relationship with ourselves and with others? • What can Neoplatonic philosophy teach us about truth, freedom, inner harmony, and human flourishing? • How can philosophical thinking help us navigate existential despair? In this episode, we explore how philosophical traditions can illuminate our relationships with ourselves and others. PD Dr. Max Rohstock and Anna Maria Lambertz-Rohstock from the Department of Philosophy at Heidelberg University discuss the Neoplatonic tradition, its conception of the absolute, and the idea that philosophical insight can transform how we relate to ourselves and others. The conversation examines the Platonic understanding of the self as composed of different forms of striving and the importance of bringing them into harmony through truth and wisdom. Our guests explain how absolutizing finite goals such as wealth, power, or recognition can contribute to dissatisfaction and existential despair. They further discuss the concept of absolutizing and the philosophical challenge of relating appropriately to both absolute and relative goals. The episode also explores negative theology as a method for questioning the ideas and values we treat as absolute. In this context, philosophical thinking is presented as a form of practice that can cultivate self-knowledge, humility, freedom, and resistance to manipulation. The discussion considers how an ideal relationship with oneself may provide the foundation for relating to others with greater openness, empathy, and freedom. Finally, we discuss the initiative “Inspiration Philosophie”, which seeks to make philosophical thinking accessible beyond academia. Join us as we explore whether philosophy can offer not only ways of understanding reality, but also practical guidance for becoming oneself and relating more meaningfully to others! Inspiration Philosophie Philosophy classes: https://linktr.ee/_inspiration_philosophie_ (https://linktr.ee/_inspiration_philosophie_) Newsletter: https://substack.com/@inspirationphilosophy (https://substack.com/@inspirationphilosophy) Research: https://maxrohstock.academia.edu/ (https://maxrohstock.academia.edu/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_inspiration_philosophie_ (https://linktr.ee/_inspiration_philosophie_) Timeline (00:00) Intro (02:34) Academic Backgrounds (07:26) Motivation and the Archimedean Point (13:40) Neoplatonism and the Absolute (22:05) The Ideal Relationship with Oneself (29:34) From Self-Relation to Relations with Others (32:42) Kierkegaard and Absolutizing (38:07) Negative Theology (42:49) The Historical-Systematic Method (45:33) Philosophy as a Way of Life (50:44) Inspiration Philosophie (55:40) Learning from Public Engagement (58:49) Future Projects and Plans (01:02:37) Outro Keywords Neoplatonism, Plato, Plotinus, Metaphysics, Ethics, Philosophy, Absolute, Inner Harmony, Self-Realization, Existential Despair, Kierkegaard, Negative Theology, Freedom, Human Flourishing, Philosophical Life, Historical-Systematic Method, Public Philosophy, Inspiration Philosophie, Interdisciplinary Scholarship, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Scholarly Conversations, Interdisciplinary Discussions, Interviews with Scholars, University Discourse, Us and Them, Academic Podcast, Scientific Podcast, Heidelberg University

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