Annual Interdisciplinary WZB Conference

With Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln taking office as President, the WZB launched a new tradition: the Annual Interdisciplinary WZB Conferences are dedicated to combine insights from the different social sciences to address major challenges of our times. The conference brings together 100 to 150 scholars, keynote speakers, and panelists each October at the WZB in Berlin. Each year, it addresses a different topic.

A widely distributed call for papers—circulated across disciplines and networks—is issued at the beginning of each year. Participation is based on the submission of a paper and a competitive selection process.

Each conference opens with a festive public event welcoming a wide audience.

Current Conference

2nd Annual Interdisciplinary WZB Conference 2026

Challenges to International Orders: Causes and Consequences
7–9 October 2026

The 2nd Annual Interdisciplinary WZB Conference 2026 will address "Challenges to International Orders: Causes and Consequences". The organizing committee comprises Nicola Fuchs‑Schündeln, Steffen Huck, Yasemin Soysal, and Michael Zürn. 

A call for papers will be issued in early spring.

You can find more information here.

Past Conferences

1st Annual Interdisciplinary WZB Conference 2025

The Future of Democracy?
8–10 October 2025

The 1st Annual Interdisciplinary WZB Conference 2025 has been on the theme "The Future of Democracy?" The organizing committee consisted of Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln, Daniel Ziblatt and Michael Zürn.