TUD Lectures+ "Democracy Under Pressure"
Democracy is a cornerstone of our society—yet it is under increasing pressure. Polarization, disinformation, the loss of trust in institutions, and anti-democratic tendencies pose immense challenges to it. The TUD Lectures series “Democracy Under Pressure, ” which will launch in October 2026, aims to spark an interdisciplinary dialogue to shed light on these developments. The TUD Lectures, organized jointly by the“ ” working group “Together for Democracy” of the Faculty of Psychology, the Center for Demography and Diversity (CDD), and the Directorate University Culture, bring together experts from a wide range of disciplines, including psychology, political science, sociology, communication studies, and other fields.
This format creates spaces where social issues can be discussed on a sound scientific basis: the topics are presented in an accessible manner. The panel features experts from academia and professional practice who examine the topics from different perspectives. The audience can engage with the experts by submitting questions in advance or asking them during the recording.
Recordings take place during in-person events structured like panel discussions. Questions from the audience are brought to the stage during the events, as the series aims to engage with the general public. The events take place at locations in Dresden and the surrounding area selected based on the theme, such as the Kulturpalast Dresden, market squares, churches, or beer gardens. You can listen to all previous podcasts on this page .
Here are the upcoming TUD Lectures:
The “Together for Democracy” working group at the Faculty of Psychology at TU Dresden explores how psychological insights can contribute to understanding and strengthening democracy and social cohesion. Through lectures, discussion events, and other formats, the group brings psychological research into the public discourse and fosters dialogue between academia, professional practice, and society.
The Center for Demography and Diversity (CDD) brings together interdisciplinary research on demographic change and diversity at TU Dresden. It serves as a platform for dialogue between academia, policymakers, practitioners, and the public, and helps to bring evidence-based insights into societal debates.
Photographs and videos will be taken during this event. The photos will be used for press and public relations purposes by TUD and the other participating parties. As part of the coverage, photos may also be shared with third parties as needed. By participating in the event, you consent to the use of photos of you, if taken, for publication in print and online media, including social media.
This project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the Free State of Saxony as part of the Excellence Strategy developed by the Federal and State governments.