With its focus on energy, the public TUD Lectures series of the winter semester will address the significant challenges posed by the comprehensive transformation process that was triggered by the war in Ukraine. In light of the complexity of the crisis, the TUD Lectures adopts an interdisciplinary approach from multiple perspectives with a series of lectures

Energy scarcity - an opportunity or a danger of regression?

The past was characterized by the idea of perpetual growth and the permanent increase in prosperity for all. The vehicles became larger and the range of goods on the shelves more and more unmanageable.  

Environmental protection or the saving of scarce goods was seen as a welcome exception, sometimes even as an opportunity to maximize profits, but not as an existential necessity.

The current energy crisis is forcing us to rethink our approach. Thus, on the one hand, the energy crisis can favor innovation and technical progress. At the same time, the current energy supply situation is accompanied by an emotionally and politically charged debate that can also contribute to enormous social upheavals. What are the opportunities and risks of these transformation phases?

Answers to these and other questions were the topic of the TUD Lecture, which were held on February 20, 2023, at 6:00 pm in the foyer of the Kulturpalast Dresden.

Guest speakers:

Prof. Dr. Edeltraud Günther, Head of United Nations University

Janek Treiber, Research Associate at the Chair of Political Systems and Comparative Politics (TU Dresden)

What changes do living and learning undergo in light of social inequality, rising prices, and energy scarcity?

The series will kick-off with the question: “What changes do living and learning undergo in light of social inequality, rising prices, and energy scarcity?”. In his presentation, Prof. Dr. John Grunewald (Head of the Institute for Building Climatology at TU Dresden) will take a closer look at housing and construction and will explore how to increase social and ecological justice in this field. The focus will be on student life and learning in the context of social inequality. The lecture will be rounded off by a presentation by Juliane Dziumla (UNU Flores). Subsequently, the audience is invited to ask questions and engage in discussion.

TUD Lectures + 60 Minuten: A fragmented world in disorder - lessons from the financial to the energy crises

The last few years have been dominated by a series of crises, including the financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and now the energy crisis. In this new panel discussion, we will investigate the characteristics of these current upheavals as well as the risks and challenges they harbor. The discussion will be held with:

Prof. Werner Gleißner (TU Dresden and Executive Board of the Future Value Group AG)

Prof. Dominik Möst (TU Dresden, Chair of Energy Economics)

Franziska Stölzel (UNU Flores, Weißwasser)

Moderator: Prof. Thomas Günther (TU Dresden, Chair of Management Accounting and Control)

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