Bavarian Research Alliance for Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies (FoKS)
The Bavarian Research Alliance for Peace, Conflict and Security Studies (FoKS) brings together the interdisciplinary expertise in these fields available at Bavarian universities across the social sciences, engineering and technology, natural sciences, and humanities.
The University of Bayreuth is a founding member of FoKS, which was established in February 2024. Several C³ researchers are currently (or have previously been) FoKS Fellows, members of the FoKS Steering Committee, or cluster leads. This collaboration creates synergies through joint research, the dissemination of findings, and outreach towards regional policymaking and public discourse.
- GoalsHide
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FoKS Fellow Assembly 2025 (Photo©: UniBW München/Siebold)
FoKS aims to develop scholarly perspectives on peace, conflict, and security issues in these times of growing global challenges, while working with decision-makers to develop social and political solutions.
The Research Alliance is committed to strengthening and safeguarding democratic, liberal, and rules-based institutions at the national, European, and international levels. To this end, it seeks to establish a research network among Bavarian universities with visibility in Germany, Europe, and beyond.
- Members & StructureHide
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FoKS comprises ten universities in Bavaria and 90 fellows. The research is organized in four interdisciplinary thematic clusters: "Peace and War", "International Law and Human Rights", "Culture, Religion, Democracy, and Ethics", and "Economy, Technology, and Climate".
The Alliance is chaired by the Presidium, consisting of the presidents of the participating universities, and its scientific work is coordinated by the Steering Committee. The annual Fellow Assembly gathers the FoKS fellows, including professors and post-docs from the member universities.
- C³ within the FoKS AllianceHide
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MSC 2026 side event, hosted by C³ Director Prof. Jana Hönke
The C³ is involved in FoKS in multiple ways: Several of our researchers are FoKS Fellows, PD Dr. Julia Eichenberg currently represents the University of Bayreuth on the FoKS Steering Committee, and Dr. Jan Sändig co-leads the cluster "Economy, Technology, and Climate." Prof. Jana Hönke previously served as FoKS deputy speaker.
Members of our Research Center have also participated in FoKS workshops and co-hosted side events at the Munich Security Conference (MSC). In addition, we jointly organized events within the Bayreuth Peace Talks series.