Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät - Geographisches Institut

Invitation

KOSMOS-Lesung by Prof. Dr. Mark Lawrence

The Anthropos Expansion and the Anthropocene

Thursday, 05 June 2025, 18.00-19.30
HU Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, Senate hall

The Anthropocene has recently been rejected as a formal geological time unit, reigniting debate about its definition and significance. Should it now be repurposed as an informal term, for instance as a geological event or episode, or should it be resubmitted with additional evidence? Perhaps, in addition to a resubmission, another term can fill the gap to describe the long-term geological impact of humans leading up to the Anthropocene: The Anthropos Expansion.

Prof. Dr. Mark Lawrence is scientific director at the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences. He addresses the Anthropocene in an integrative manner, bringing together a wide range of academic expertise in his team and involving societal actors. His lecture will be moderated by Prof. Dr. Tobias Krüger, Director of IRI THESys.

Further information.

About the lecture series

The KOSMOS-Lesungen are in the tradition of one of the most famous lecture series in the German history of science: Alexander von Humboldt’s Kosmos Lectures. Around 200 years ago, the natural scientist spanned the entire world and all disciplines of science. Today’s interdisciplinary KOSMOS lectures are dedicated to the challenging transformation processes in the age of the Anthropocene. The lecture series is organized by IRI THESys, Humboldt-Universität’s hub for inter- and transdisciplinary research on sustainability transformations.

Note on film and photo recordings During the event, photos and videos will be taken. The material will be used exclusively for the purpose of public relations.