Our world is becoming increasingly digital, which is why protecting our data and privacy is more important than ever. Insecure software, identity theft, data leaks and cyberattacks are already part of everyday life. The Autumn Academy 2025 asks from different perspectives how sovereignty and privacy can be protected. The academy week of the Centre for General Continuing Academic Education (Zentrum für Allgemeine Akademische Weiterbilung - ZAWiW) will take place from 22 to 25 September at Ulm University and online. Registration is now open - all lectures, working groups and sessions are held in German!
The autumn academy at Ulm University is dedicated to the topic "Secure in the digital world" from different perspectives. Companies are exposed to professionally organised cyberattacks, private individuals need to be more aware of how they handle their personal data and public IT infrastructures are increasingly becoming dependent on software solutions from just one manufacturer. Sovereignty and privacy must therefore be better protected in the face of these threats.
In the opening lecture on Monday (10:00 a.m., H4/5), entrepreneur and digital expert Jutta Horstmann will shed light on the risks of dependence on a few tech companies and show ways to strengthen digital sovereignty in public administration with open source software.
Professor Florian Schaub from the University of Michigan (USA) will present current research findings on the protection of personal data when using social media, smartphones and smart home technologies on Tuesday (10:00 a.m., H4/5). On Wednesday and Thursday (10:00 a.m., H4/5), Managing Security Consultant Dr Bastian Könings and scientist and author Dr Matthias Wübbeling (University of Bonn) will use concrete examples to illustrate how digital attacks on companies and organisations work. Finally, on Thursday afternoon (1:00 p.m., H4/5), Professor Robert Heinrich from the University of Ulm will explain how secure software solutions can be developed and vulnerabilities detected at an early stage.
The 20 or so working groups and Wednesday sessions of the academy week will offer practical tips and in-depth discussions. In addition to the focus on IT security, other topics will also be covered, including "Islam in Germany" and "Fairytales and Painting".
Various additional activities during the lunch break invite you to relax or take you to different places on campus.
Culture is not neglected either: the Vox Humana choir will provide musical variety on Monday evening under the motto "Back from holiday". The event starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Felix Fabri Hall of the Generationentreff Ulm/Neu-Ulm, Grüner Hof 5, 89073 Ulm. Admission is 5 euros.
Event overview:
Secure in the digital world - How threatened are sovereignty and privacy?
Autumn Academy 2025
22 – 25 September
Ulm University
Opening: Monday, 22 September, 9:30 am, H4/5
The Autumn Academy of the ZAWiW (Centre for General Continuing Academic Education) takes place in cooperation with the Netzwerk für Senior-Internet-Initiativen Baden-Württemberg e. V.
The participation fee for the academy week is 90 euros; members of the support group pay 80 euros. Individual lectures can also be booked. The detailed programme and the link to online registration can be found at: https://akademie.zawiw.de
Further information: info(at)zawiw.de or contact the ZAWiW-Secretary : 0731/50-26601
Text and media contact: Daniela Stang