The Leibniz Institute of European History (IEG) invites to a public panel discussion. Four renowned historians will discuss why there is historical research in Germany outside of universities, what role the reappraisal of Germany's contested past plays in this, and what challenges internationally orientated historical research must face. Prof. Dr Nicole Reinhardt (Leibniz Institute of European History, Mainz), Prof. Dr Martin Sabrow (Leibniz Centre for Contemporary History Potsdam), Dr Krijn Thijs (German Institute Amsterdam) and Dr Jasper Heinzen (University of York and Senior Research Fellow at the IEG) will be on the panel. The discussion will be moderated by PD Dr Gregor Feindt (Leibniz Institute of European History, Mainz). Followed by a wine reception. Free registration at info@ieg-mainz. The panel discussion is part of the conference ‘German history, European future? On the value of a contested past for research outside universities after 1949 and 1989’, which will take place at the IEG from 2 April to 4 April as part of the Leibniz Research Network ‘Value of the Past’. A good twenty experts will discuss in lectures and discussion rounds how the ‘reappraisal’ of the contested past should legitimise non-university historical research in the BRD after 1949 and in united Germany after 1990: Why did academics want to commit themselves to understanding and a European perspective and why should politicians provide funding for this? What social function and what historical-political mandate does historical scholarship have beyond pure science? What does the founding impulse of non-university institutes after 1949 - and further institutes in the new federal states after 1989 - mean for science today? And finally: What role does the internationalisation of non-university research play in its current mission? Organisation: Joachim Berger (IEG/GNM) and Gregor Feindt (IEG) with Marcus Otto and Steffen Sammler (Leibniz Institute for Educational Media | Georg Eckert Institute) The conference is also a scientific contribution to the 75th anniversary of the (Leibniz) Institute of European History.