125 Years of Management, Economics and Social Sciences

Lecture Series programme schedule

125 years of relevant research with social impact. The lecture series in the 2026 summer term combines interdisciplinary practice with knowledge transfer to society. Renowned researchers address current issues from the fields of economy, politics, and society, inviting everyone to join the reflection, the discussion, and the celebrations.

Join Prof. Dr Axel Ockenfels, Founder of the Adenauer School of Government (ASG), Professor of Economics at the University of Cologne, and Director at the Max Planck Institute for Behavioural Economics, for an insightful lecture full of perspectives on cooperation and social challenges.

Following the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to continue the discussion over a reception. For planning purposes, we kindly ask you to register (non-binding).

The Selten Salon of the ECONtribute Excellence Cluster, held as part of the 125th anniversary of Cologne’s Faculty of Management, Economics, and Social Sciences, features economist Prof. Dr Isabel Schnabel. She will explore how Europe can better harness its economic potential and strengthen the “Made in Europe” brand.

About the speaker:
Isabel Schnabel is a member of the Directorate of the European Central Bank. Previously, she was Professor of Financial Market Economics at the University of Bonn and spokesperson of the ECONtribute Excellence Cluster.

The lecture will be followed by a discussion session, concluding with a reception starting at 6:45 p.m. For planning purposes, we kindly ask you to register (non-binding).

Look forward to Prof. Dr. Marita Jacob, Professor at the Department of Sociology and Social Psychology (DSS) at the University of Cologne. In her lecture, she examines social disparities in access to higher education and discusses approaches to achieving greater equality of opportunity within the education system.

Following the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to continue the discussion over a reception. For planning purposes, we kindly ask you to register (non-binding).

Our lecture series continues with Prof. Dr Michael Bechtel, Professor of Political Economy, Director of the Department of Political Science, and member of the ECONtribute Cluster of Excellence. Prof. Bechtel will speak about the question of how democracies can address long-term challenges and will highlight the difficulties of shaping policy in the interests of future generations.

Following the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to continue the discussion over a reception. For planning purposes, we kindly ask you to register (non-binding).

Prof. Dr Detlef Buschfeld, Professor of Economic and Social Education, will deliver a lecture as part of the 125th anniversary series, examining the interplay between trade, teaching, and economic education at universities.

Following the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to continue the discussion over a reception. For planning purposes, we kindly ask you to register (non-binding).

In the dialogue moderated by Prof. Dr. Steffen Roth, Dr. Nicole Grünewald (President of the Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce) and Prof. Dr. Stefan Kolev (Head of the Ludwig Erhard Forum in Berlin) engage in discussion with each other and with the audience.

Following the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to continue the discussion over a reception. For planning purposes, we kindly ask you to register (non-binding).

Prof. Dr. Sebastian Siegloch, Professor of Economics and Director of the Fiscal Research Institute (FIFO) at the University of Cologne, examines the distributional effects of capital taxation and who ultimately bears the tax burden, and explores how tax regulations can influence economic behavior.

Following the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to continue the discussion over a reception. For planning purposes, we kindly ask you to register (non-binding).

To conclude our lecture series, we are pleased to welcome Prof. Dr. Heinrich Schradin, Chair at the Seminar for General Business Administration, Risk Management and Insurance at the Institute for Insurance Studies at the University of Cologne. In his lecture, Prof. Schradin reflects on 125 years of insurance science and its development in Cologne, with a particular focus on the role of the WiSo Faculty.

Following the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to continue the discussion over a reception. For planning purposes, we kindly ask you to register (non-binding).

Prof. Dr. em. Wolfgang Leidhold, former Chair of Political Theory and the History of Ideas at the University of Cologne, speaks on the evolution of geopolitical orders—from traditional structures
to contemporary dynamics and tensions in international politics.