The Vienna Humanities Festival 2026 marks the culmination of the Month of Ideas, organized for the first time this year by the Institute for Human Sciences. This September is dedicated to critical reflection, candid and open discussion, and, above all, the exploration of new perspectives. From lectures and expert panels to public debates, the program includes nearly 40 single events, features equally as many intellectuals, and invites a diverse audience to engage in a dizzying encounter of ideas.
KEYNOTES
KARA SWISHER
THE TECH BROS: WHAT DO THEY WANT AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?
MI, 23.09.2026 / 18h30
TU WIEN,
KUPPELSAAL, 4.OG
WEEKEND PANELS
SAMSTAG, 26.09.2026
AKADEMIE DER BILDENDEN KÜNSTE WIEN
EINTRITT FREI / KEINE VORANMELDUNG
All sessions at the Academy will be translated live.
Earphones will be provided at the venue.
Sämtliche Vorträge in der Akademie werden live gedolmetscht.
Vor Ort werden Kopfhörer bereitgestellt.
AULA
SITZUNGSSAAL
In conversation with FREDERICK STUDEMANN
MIT DEM FALLSCHIRM ABSPRINGEN ÜBER EINER NEUEN WELT
MESOPOTAMIA AND THE MAKING OF THE MODERN WORLD
In conversation with CLEMENA ANTONOVA
MORE
CENTRAL EUROPE: REBIRTH OR BURIAL?
In conversation with IVAN VEJVODA
MORE
THE ARCHITECTURE OF POLITICAL MANIPULATION
In conversation with LEONARD BENARDO
MORE
FLAWED: THE IMPERFECTION OF LANGUAGE AS A REFLECTION OF HUMANITY
MORE
SURVIVING OR OVERCOMING CHAOS?
In conversation with KIRSTY LANG
MORE
DOES THE UNIVERSE HAVE A PURPOSE?
SONNTAG, 27.09.2026
AKADEMIE DER BILDENDEN KÜNSTE WIEN
EINTRITT FREI / KEINE VORANMELDUNG
All sessions at the Academy will be translated live.
Earphones will be provided at the venue.
Sämtliche Vorträge in der Akademie werden live gedolmetscht.
Vor Ort werden Kopfhörer bereitgestellt.
AULA
SITZUNGSSAAL
KULTURELLE GERÜSTE DER VERGEWALTIGUNG
MEHR
THE NEUROSCIENCE OF THE HUMAN SENSE OF AGENCY
In conversation with DESSY GAVRILOVA
MORE
In conversation with NATALIYA GUMENYUK
In conversation with TOBIAS HABERKORN
Im Gespräch mit SHALINI RANDERIA
THE FUTURE NEEDS WISDOM: EUROPEAN SCIENCE BETWEEN THE US AND CHINA
In conversation with MISHA GLENNY
MORE
OPFER. AUSWEITUNG DER VERWUNDBARKEIT
Im Gespräch mit LUDGER HAGEDORN
MEHR
ARCHAEA AND THE MYSTERIES OF LIFE
In conversation with MISHA GLENNY
MEHR
THE LOSS OF A SHARED WORLD. POLITICAL ACTION IN TIMES OF TECH-OLIGARCHY
In conversation with LUDGER HAGEDORN