Successful summer school at Chemnitz University of Technology

The Department of Media Psychology and the Across University Alliance welcomed young media enthusiasts from nine different countries to the summer school "How much science is in science fiction?"

„Live long and prosper!” – with this phrase, well known to science fiction fans, Prof. Dr. Jan-Philipp Stein, Head of the Department of Media Psychology at Chemnitz University of Technology, welcomed more than 20 media enthusiasts from nine different countries to the summer school “How much science is in science fiction?” in Chemnitz on 28 August 2025. The event was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Maximilian Eibl, Vice-Rector for Teaching and International Affairs at Chemnitz University of Technology. In close cooperation with Across – The European University for Cross-Border Knowledge Sharing European University Alliance ACROSS, Prof. Dr. Stein and his team organised an inspiring and varied two-day programme.

The exciting guest lectures by renowned social scientists on science fiction media and the technologies, social developments and issues addressed therein provided interesting insights. Speakers included Prof. Jaime Banks (Syracuse University, USA), Prof. Fabio Buttussi (University of Udine, Italy) and Prof. Sorin Cazacu (University of Craiova, Romania).

The international audience, which consisted primarily of students, early-career researchers and postdocs, many of whom had travelled from ACROSS partner cities, also had the opportunity to participate in a creative writing workshop led by artist Denise Lee during the event. In addition, participants were able to learn more about psychological research at the Institute for Media Research at Chemnitz University of Technology. The packed programme of the Summer School at Chemnitz University of Technology was rounded off by a poster session in which participants presented their own research work and a sci-fi film evening.

Overall, the summer school offered participants a great opportunity to exchange ideas and network based on their shared enthusiasm for media, stories and the futuristic worlds of science fiction. According to the organisers in Chemnitz, this made the event a complete success.

Background: Across

Across – The European University for Cross-Border Knowledge Sharing is a European university alliance coordinated by Chemnitz University of Technology that aims to develop solutions for cross-border challenges. With their regional roots near borders, the nine partners of the Across Alliance contribute to the sustainable development of cross-border regions by bringing about genuine social change, cultural integration, a sustainable approach to innovation, new economic opportunities and employment, together with stakeholders from business and civil society. Across covers an academic area with more than 100,000 students and has been funded by the European Union since the beginning of the year as part of the European Universities Initiative.

Through innovative and diverse models of long-term cooperation, the participating European universities contribute to strengthening common European values and a stronger European identity. They help to achieve significant progress in terms of quality, attractiveness and international competitiveness in the participating regions, thereby contributing to the economy, employment, culture and prosperity in Europe.

The Across Alliance includes:

•    University of Banja Luka (Bosnia)

•    Bialystok University of Technology (Poland)

•    Chemnitz University of Technology (Germany)

•    University of Craiova (Romania)

•    University of Girona (Spain)

•    University of Nova Gorica (Slovenia)

•    University of Perpignan Via Domitia (France)

•    University of Ruse ‘Angel Kanchev’ (Bulgaria)

•    University of Udine (Italy)

•    Ivan Franko National University (Ukraine) as an associate partner

(Authors Prof. Dr. Jan-Philipp Stein, Anne Eichhorn)

Anne Eichhorn
08.09.2025

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