University of Bonn CASSIS — Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies Transdisciplinary Research Area: Individuals and Societies

Programme

A two-day programme of keynotes, thematic panels, and a public panel, 21–22 October 2026 at the ZEI Center for European Integration Studies, University of Bonn.

The workshop unfolds over two days at the ZEI Center for European Integration Studies. Day one opens with a keynote on digital dependencies and global politics and a cross-disciplinary conversation, followed by panels on measuring digital dependence and on digital inequalities, and a conference dinner. Day two begins with a keynote on digital sovereignty from African and Asian perspectives, continues with panels on technological autonomy and alternative digital futures, and concludes with a public panel on European digital sovereignty.

Wednesday, 21 October

Day One — Opening & Core Sessions
10:30 – 11:00
Arrival of participants, coffee and refreshments
11:00 – 12:30
Welcome & Keynote

Welcome and Introduction to the Programme

Opening remarks, followed by the workshop's first keynote and a cross-disciplinary conversation.

  • Prof. Dr. Dennis Lehmkuhl, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Bonn
  • Prof. Dr. Caja Thimm & Prof. Dr. Maximilian Mayer, University of Bonn
  • Keynote: “Digital Dependencies and Global Politics” — Dr. Julia Pohle, Centre Marc Bloch / WZB Berlin
  • Conversation across fields: Dr. Julia Pohle (Centre Marc Bloch / WZB Berlin) and Dr. Charles Martin-Shields (IDOS)
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Caja Thimm, University of Bonn
12:30 – 14:00
Lunch break
14:00 – 15:30
Panel I

How to Measure Digital Dependence

  • Amanuel Tesfaye Kebede, University of Helsinki
  • Prof. Dr. Maximilian Mayer & Yen-Chi Lu, University of Bonn
  • Jyoti Panday, University of Stavanger
  • Dr. Luuk Schmitz, MPIfG Cologne
Moderation: Philip Nock, University of Bonn
15:30 – 16:00
Coffee break
16:00 – 17:30
Panel II

Digital Inequalities: Economic, Political and Social Consequences

  • Prof. Dr. Tomasz Gackowski, Dr. Karolina Brylska, Marcin Łączyński & Adam Balcerzak, University of Warsaw
  • Dr. Rogelio Madrueño, University of Bonn
  • Prof. Dr. Mary Setrana, University of Ghana
  • Prof. Dr. Caja Thimm, University of Bonn
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Patrício Langa, University of Bonn
19:00 – 20:30
Conference Dinner — The Protea Restaurant, Rheingasse 5, 53113 Bonn

Thursday, 22 October

Day Two — Comparative Strategies & Closing Panels
08:30 – 09:00
Coffee chat
09:00 – 10:00
Keynote & Conversation

Shaping Digital Sovereignty for Civil Society: African and Asian Perspectives

  • Keynote: Irene Makau, The Oversight Lab Africa
  • Conversation: Irene Makau (The Oversight Lab Africa) and Dr. Hangwei Li (University of Bonn)
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Maximilian Mayer, University of Bonn
10:00 – 10:15
Coffee break
10:15 – 12:15
Panel III

Strategies for Technological Autonomy / Sovereignty in Global Comparison

  • Dr. Joscha Abels, University of Tübingen
  • Dr. Ksenia Ermoshina, CNRS Paris
  • PD Dr. Laura Mahrenbach, University of Bonn
  • Sreekanth Mukku, University of Duisburg-Essen
Moderation: Nathalie Brandmeyr, Vodafone Institute
12:15 – 13:15
Lunch break
13:15 – 14:30
Panel IV

Alternative Digital Futures? Rethinking the Market Powers vs. Regulators Debate

  • Dr. Nina Frahm, Aarhus University
  • Magdalena Kariuki, TBI Kenya
  • Dr. Carlotta Manz, University of Basel
Moderation: PD Dr. Laura Mahrenbach, University of Bonn
14:30 – 14:45
Coffee break
14:45 – 16:00
Public Panel

Strategies of European Digital Sovereignty in a Global Context: Perspectives from Politics, Business and Research

A public panel, open to all, concluding the workshop.

  • Dr. Sandra Detzer, Member of the Deutscher Bundestag
  • Ben Wreschner, Government Relations Director, Vodafone Group
  • Magdalena Kariuki, Country Director Kenya, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
  • Prof. Dr. Christian Bauckhage, University of Bonn & Fraunhofer IAIS
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Caja Thimm & Prof. Dr. Maximilian Mayer, University of Bonn

Please note: This programme is a draft and subject to change. Entries marked (tbc) are still to be confirmed.