The application deadline has been extended to April 30, 2026. 

This summer school investigates healing as a philosophical practice from interdisciplinary and intercultural perspectives. We will examine how philosophical traditions across societies, generations, and historical contexts have conceptualized and facilitated healing, particularly at the communal level.

Human vulnerability manifests in diverse forms of suffering—physical, emotional, mental, epistemic, political, and relational. Throughout history and across cultures, individuals and communities have turned to a variety of philosophical, spiritual, and relational practices to address collective wounds, restore interpersonal balance, and rebuild fractured communities. These practices seek to contribute to the regeneration of social bonds and the reconfiguration of epistemic and ethical frameworks after periods of rupture and conflict.

Central to our exploration are philosophical methods such as storytelling and narration, proverbs, witnessing, truth-telling, dialogic reflection, and empathetic listening. We will analyze how these and related practices have been employed to facilitate healing and foster restoration following experiences of violence, communal trauma, loss, or injustice. 

Participants will interact with scholars and practitioners, gaining insight into both the theoretical foundations and the practical applications of healing as a philosophical method. Through case studies, close readings, group discussions, and exercises, we will critically assess the effectiveness and limitations of philosophical approaches to healing in various historical and cultural contexts.

Instructors

Guiding Questions

• What is the meaning and scope of healing as a philosophical practice?
• Which dimensions of human experience can be addressed through philosophical healing (ethical, epistemic, aesthetic, political, social, spiritual)?
• Through which pathways have different communities sought healing, and what can we learn through comparative analysis?
• How have philosophers from diverse traditions theorized about and contributed to practices of healing?
• What is the relationship between philosophical healing and related practices in other disciplines (e.g., psychology, psychotherapy, religious studies, education)?
• What are the critical challenges, risks, and ethical considerations involved in conceptualizing and practicing healing philosophically?

Aim and Objectives

At the end of the summer school, participants will:

• Apply insights from the summer school to their own academic, personal, or community contexts.
• Understand the theoretical foundations and historical significance of healing as a philosophical practice.
• Critically examine the interplay between philosophy and healing, with attention to cultural and contextual differences.
• Identify and analyze concrete examples of philosophical pathways to communal healing.
• Acquire practical skills in selected dialogical and narrative healing practices (e.g., storytelling, witnessing, empathetic listening).
• Reflect on the potentials and limitations of philosophical healing, including its ethical, political, and epistemological implications.

Participants are expected to

• Contribute collaboratively to group work and interdisciplinary dialogue, fostering a learning environment of mutual respect and reflection.
• Demonstrate English-language proficiency and possess a basic knowledge of philosophy.
• Self-fund their participation (i.e. travel expenses, accommodation); there is no financial support for participation provided by the center.
• Participants are invited, but not required, to present and discuss their own research projects (MA, PhD) related to the theme of the summer school.

Organizing Committee

Rutte Cardoso Andrade is Professor at the University of International Interaction of the Afro-Brazilian Lusophony, UNILAB. Her research covers African and Afro-diasporic Philosophy, Afrocentric Epistemologies, African Womanism, and Historical Reparations.  She is currently a researcher at the Centre for Advanced Studies “Philosophising in a Globalised World” at the University of Hildesheim.

Anke Graness is a professor of philosophy at the University of Hildesheim and part of the leadership team of the Centre for Advanced Studies. Her research interests include the history of philosophy, philosophy in Africa, intercultural philosophy, global justice, and feminist theory.

Abosede Priscilla Ipadeola is an established Nigerian philosopher with a research focus on feminist African philosophy. She is currently a fellow at the Centre for Advanced Studies “Philosophizing in a Globalized World: Historical and Systematic Perspectives” at the University of Hildesheim.

Lorena Grigoletto is a philosopher whose work focuses on Latin American thought and aesthetics. She earned her PhD from the University of Naples, where she also taught for several years at the Academy of Fine Arts. She is currently a researcher at the Centre for Advanced Studies “Philosophising in a Globalised World” at the University of Hildesheim.

Falk Parra-Witte’s work centers on understanding human ecology within a cosmological context. He draws on the principles and traditions of indigenous people as alternative ontological and epistemological insights that can help inspire socio-environmental stewardship, education and policy. In this regard, Falk combines transdisciplinary research, community engagement and culture-based knowledge-exchange between indigenous people, academia, government, natural science, NGOs and civil society.

Monika Christine Rohmer is a postdoctoral researcher at the Centre for Advanced Studies “Philosophizing in a Globalized World: Historical and Systematic Perspectives” at the University of Hildesheim. Her research interests include philosophizing in African languages, the study of verbal arts, oceanic humanities, and postcolonial theories.

Call for Participation

The summer school is aimed at master’s and doctoral students from all disciplines who are interested in examining the intersection of philosophy and healing, and in exploring philosophical approaches as frameworks for understanding and fostering healing processes. We particularly welcome applications from students whose academic work, research interests, or practical engagements relate to questions of vulnerability, suffering, restoration, or healing—whether from philosophical, social, cultural, educational, or related perspectives.

To apply, please submit your CV and a brief statement (max. 2 pages) outlining the relevance of the summer school for your studies or research, and describing how you would contribute to and benefit from participation to glophi[at]uni-hildesheim.de, subject: “Summer School 2026”. The deadline for submitting abstracts is April 30, 2026. 

Note that there is no financial support for participation provided by the center. Participants must use their own funds or apply for funding opportunities to finance their participation (i.e. travel expenses, accommodation).