What can we learn from books on peace and conflict? And what do peace and conflict researchers themselves like to read? As part of the nationwide Library Night, the PRIF Library opened its doors on April 4, 2025. Under the title “Aufgeklappt – Lieblingsbücher aus der Friedens- und Konfliktforschung” (“Unfolded – Favorite Books from Peace and Conflict Research”), the Department of Science Communication presented a colorful program of lectures, games and an exhibition. The focus was on dialogue between visitors and scholars – and, of course, lots of books.
Claudia Baumgart-Ochse began by presenting a number of books on the Middle East conflict, ranging from popular non-fiction to novels. The researcher showed that books not only provide a factual overview of a topic, but can also invite us to break down unquestioned ideas and reveal more about our reality by describing alternative scenarios.
In a second lecture, Thorsten Gromes put some common „conflict myths“ to the test – i.e., misconceptions about peace and conflict in general that are often found in media and political discourse. These myths often have a grain of truth, but exaggerate or generalize a statement to such an extent that it becomes false. The lecture not only explained which sweeping statements are not tenable from a scientific point of view, but also illustrated with a few examples how science arrives at its statements in the first place. In the lecture, Gromes picked up arguments from PRIF Spotlight 10/2024, published in November, and recommended further reading to help debunk conflict myths.
In the book café, visitors were able to talk directly with the scholars: PRIF researchers presented relevant books on Russia and Ukraine (Jonas J. Driedger), climate and conflict (Patrick Flamm), China (Pascal Abb), security policy (Liska Suckau and Frank Kuhn) and conspiracy theories and radicalization (Mona Klöckner), answered questions and discussed current challenges with guests.
The comic “Code of Courage” by TraCe staff member Laura Guntrum (TU Darmstadt/PEASEC) was also exhibited in the stairwell between the library and the lecture hall. The comic follows four friends who stand up for human rights in increasingly authoritarian states. It shows how they translate repression and surveillance into digital space. Based on Laura Guntrum’s research, the comic tells the stories of over 90 activists from Myanmar, Colombia, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Cameroon.
The Night of Libraries is an initiative of the German Library Association and its 16 regional associations, and this year's motto was “Knowledge. Share. Discover.” In addition to the PRIF library, many other libraries in Frankfurt and the surrounding area participated.
