In conversation with Prof. Dr. Lora Viola (SCRIPTS, Freie Universität Berlin)

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Scientific findings, established institutions and the processes through which knowledge is verified are coming under increasing pressure. At the same time, disputes arise over whose claims are credible, which perspectives count and who decides what constitutes established knowledge. But how can we make collective decisions as a society when we disagree about what we can rely on?

In conversation with political scientist Lora Viola, we explore how knowledge shapes social and political order—and why struggles over knowledge are always also struggles over authority, power and, ultimately, the foundations of society. How can scientific expertise be defended without shielding it from legitimate criticism? And what common ground does a society need to debate differing perspectives and make democratic decisions?

Prof. Lora Anne Viola, Ph.D. is Professor of Political Science and Director of the John F. Kennedy Institute at Freie Universität Berlin. Her research focuses on international institutions, global order and the power relations that shape them. As a Principal Investigator at the SCRIPTS Cluster of Excellence, she also helps shape the SCRIPTS Forum. In 2027, under the title “Contestations of the Liberal Script as Epistemic Contestation”, the Forum explores social and political struggles over knowledge, scientific expertise and epistemic authority.

An event organised by the Cluster of Excellence SCRIPTS (Contestations of the Liberal Script) in cooperation with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.