Events
Save the Date – Research Retreat on Migration & Diversity
February 23–25, 2026 | Location to be announced
Research meets workation: out of the daily routine, into dialogue.
The Center for Educational Integration (ZBI) invites you to a research retreat as part of the ZBI Research Dialogue, taking place from February 23–25, 2026 – an interdisciplinary workation for researchers at the University of Hildesheim working in the field of migration and migration-related diversity.
In an inspiring setting, we will create space for new ideas, methodological exchange, and creative collaboration. The aim is to jointly develop innovative research perspectives, discover synergies, and initiate future cooperation projects.
Save the date – and bring your ideas with you!
Further information on location, program, and registration will follow shortly.
Democracy and Human Rights Education in the Migration Society – Challenges for Educational Work with Young People
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | 4–6 p.m.
The lecture examines, from an intersectional perspective, the plurality of young people’s life-worlds in a migration society and their implications for civic education. A particular focus will be on the rise of extremist and authoritarian attitudes among young people, along with recommendations for anti-discrimination educational approaches aimed at strengthening democratic understanding.
Prof. Dr. Ayça Polat
Ayça Polat studied Intercultural Pedagogy and Social Sciences at the University of Oldenburg, where she also earned her doctorate. From 2008 to 2015, she served as Integration Commissioner for the City of Oldenburg. She then worked as Professor of Social Work at Kiel University of Applied Sciences and Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. Since October 2023, she has been Professor of Social Pedagogy in the Migration Society at the University of Oldenburg and Director of the Center for Migration, Education and Cultural Studies. Her research focuses on theories and approaches to anti-racism and diversity awareness as well as migration pedagogy.
Ideas Workshop #3: Concepts in Migration Research (and their critical reflection)
Friday, 05 December 2025 | 10-12
Register by 28 November 2025 via zbi1(at)uni-hildesheim.de
What do we mean when we talk about “migration” – and who gets to define it?
This Ideas Workshop focuses on a critical examination of established terms, categories, and ways of thinking about migration across disciplines such as psychology and the social sciences – and beyond. The goal is to identify interdisciplinary overlaps, uncover blind spots, and develop alternative perspectives where needed.
Ideas Workshop #2: Multilingualism Across Disciplines
Friday, 10 October 2025 | 10-12
Register by 2 October 2025 via zbi1(at)uni-hildesheim.de
Multilingualism runs through numerous fields of research – from educational science and linguistics to social work.
This Ideas Workshop provides a space for exchanging theoretical and methodological approaches to linguistic diversity in both research and practice. Topics of discussion include questions of language representation, the effects of language ideologies, social participation, and how multilingualism is addressed in research processes.
Ideas Workshop #1: Method Exchange
World Café "Connecting Ideas – Expanding Perspectives"
Kick-off of the ZBI Research Dialogue on Migration & Diversity:
World Café “Connecting Ideas – Expanding Perspectives”
Lecture "State and civil society relations in local immigrant policymaking: collaboration, power and conflict"
Wednesday, May, 7 2025 | 6 p.m.
Forum | Room HC.N.0.07
Dr. Maria Schiller, Associate Professor of Public policy, Migration and Diversity, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Invitation & Program: Colloquium on Migration and Diversity Research
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 | 12:30 PM – 5:15 PM
Room HC.N.009
(Please note: Updated time and room!)
The ZBI warmly invites all interested parties to the Interdisciplinary Colloquium on Migration and Diversity Research!
We look forward to an exciting program featuring contributions from intercultural communication, social and organizational pedagogy, and psychology. Expect insightful presentations on current research projects and engaging discussions.
You can find an overview of the program here.
Call for Papers: Colloquium on Migration and Diversity Research
Tuesday, 1 April 2025
Are you conducting research on topics such as migration, integration, or diversity and would like to present your project in an open and interdisciplinary setting?
Then we warmly invite you to participate in our colloquium at the University of Hildesheim!
You can find the Call for Papers here.
Lecture "Discrimination Risks in Police Work"
Januar 28, 2025 | 4:00 PM
Forum | Room HC.N.0.10
Lecture and Discussion
"Discrimination Risks in Police Work"
Prof. Dr. Astrid Jacobsen, Police Academy of Lower Saxony
Dr. jur. Ceren Kasım, Institute for Social and Organizational Pedagogy
