Aldous Huxley Future Forum – Ways out of the polycrisis: daring to do more prevention

With the ›Aldous Huxley Zukunftsforum‹ (Aldous Huxley Future Forum), the Academy of Sciences and Literature | Mainz is launching a new interdisciplinary series on future issues relating to humanity, society and technology. Named after Academy member Aldous Huxley, a visionary and one of the most famous writers of the modern era, the forum offers a platform for scientific exchange, social reflection and forward thinking.

The series kicks off with the event ‘Ways out of the polycrisis: daring to do more prevention’ on Friday, 27 February 2026, 3:00–6:00 p.m. (Plenary Hall of the Academy, Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 2, 55131 Mainz). In view of the manifold crises – from climate change, economic uncertainty and military conflicts to increasing extremism – that fuel fears and weaken trust in state institutions, the forum focuses on preventive solutions.

How can we overcome the prevailing approach of ‘damage first, repair later’? How can prevention and precaution be made profitable, effective and systematically anchored? How can innovative research approaches, market mechanisms and communication strategies be combined to ensure long-term stability in the environment, health and society? These and other key questions will be the focus of the event.

After a welcome address by Prof. Dr. Andrea Rapp, President of the Academy, there will be keynote speeches by:

• Prof. Dr. Nicole Deitelhoff (Peace and Conflict Research)
• Prof. Dr. Gabriele Britz (Law)
• Prof. Dr. Markus Reichstein (Biogeochemistry)
• Prof. Dr. Iris Pigeot (Prevention Research and Epidemiology)
• Prof. Dr. Clemens Fuest (Economic Research)

Afterwards, the speakers will discuss their theses in a panel discussion with audience participation, moderated by Prof. Dr. Klement Tockner (Director General of the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research and Professor of Ecosystem Sciences at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main).

The Aldous Huxley Future Forum combines perspectives from the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences and addresses topics ranging from artificial intelligence and bioethics to social transformation. The aim is to develop sustainable, resilient and future-proof solutions that go beyond short-term crisis responses – in the spirit of Aldous Huxley, who recognised the complex interrelationships between the present and the future at an early stage.

Participation is free of charge, please register here.

Flyer Symposium ›Ways out of the polycrisis: daring to do more prevention‹

Flyer Aldous Huxley Future Forum