Lecture series "Family Matters"

Family is a broad and ambiguous term encompassing diverse forms of relationships. It represents origin and belonging but also involves obligations and conflicts. As a central component of social life, family conveys rules and norms, shaping desires, fears, and aspirations. Yet, there is no fixed definition of what constitutes a family. In different times and cultures, family can be understood and lived in vastly different ways. The interdisciplinary lecture series ‘Family in Relation’ focuses on the complex realities of the nuclear family model, which is particularly prevalent today in Western industrialized societies, and explores global perspectives on alternative models. Esteemed scholars from various disciplines and fields present current research that examines the potential of alternative family and kinship concepts, exploring their creative, ethical, and innovative dimensions.

The interdisciplinary lecture series is the prelude to the programme year of the same name at the Humboldt Forum, set to launch in the fall of 2025.