Libori Summer School 2025 - Exploring the Works of Émilie Du Châtelet

LIBORI SUMMER SCHOOL 2025 – Exploring the Works of Émilie Du Châtelet

September 8–12, 2025 | Paderborn, Germany

Organizer: Ruth E. Hagengruber, Jil Muller & Ana Rodrigues

Application Deadline: July 15, 2025

In Person Participation (for ECTS-Credits)

This event will be permanently updated, more information on program, scholars and venue will follow soon.

Regular registration for hybrid participation without ECTS-Credits will follow soon.

From 8th-12th September 2025, the Center for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists will revive its famous Libori Summer School.

Are you passionate about early modern philosophy? Curious about Enlightenment debates on liberty and free will? Eager to explore Du Châtelet’s interpretation of Mandeville’s ethics? Interested in the intersections of natural philosophy and sciences, and in the exploration of Du Châtelet’s thoughts about Newtons’ theory of light and colors?

The Center for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists warmly invites applications to its 2025 Libori Summer School—a weeklong immersion into the groundbreaking philosophical and scientific work of Émilie Du Châtelet, one of the Enlightenment’s most interesting intellects. This is the Call for Application for In Person Participation (for ECTS-Credits). (Regular Registration for attendance only will open soon).

 Join a vibrant international community of Master and PhD students to study and discuss key themes in Du Châtelet’s early writings, including:

• The nature of liberty and free will: Chapter 5 On Liberty
• The foundations of natural philosophy and metaphysics: Treatise on Metaphysics; Chapter 4 On the Formation of Colours, Chapter 6 On Grammar
• Enlightenment perspectives on ethics and moral theory: Commentary on Mandeville’s Fable of the Bees

This year’s program offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with the first digital and historical-critical edition of Du Châtelet’s early manuscripts—produced in collaboration with the National Library of Russia, Saint Petersburg. These texts, rich with philosophical insight and annotated by Du Châtelet herself, reveal how her thought shaped and was shaped by the major metaphysical debates of her time.

What to Expect:

• Expert-led sessions on Du Châtelet’s early works, including her writings on liberty, metaphysics, natural philosophy and ethics
• Keynote-Sessions by renowned scholars: Linda Gardiner, Bryce Gessell, Ruth. E Hagengruber, Julia Jorati, Ulla Kölving, Pedro Pricladnitzky, Ana Rodrigues and much more.
• Hands-on access to digital manuscript editions
• Student-led presentations and workshops in a collaborative, supportive atmosphere
• Opportunities for critical discussion, networking, and engagement with leading scholars

Application Details:

We welcome applications from Master and doctoral students with a keen interest in early modern philosophy, Enlightenment thought, or the history of science. To apply, please submit:

• An updated CV (max. 2 pages)
• A brief statement (max. 2 pages) explaining your research interests, their relevance to the Summer School’s themes, and how you would like to contribute to one of the student sessions

Please submit your documents via our conference platform for In Person Participation (for ECTS-Credits): 
https://indico.uni-paderborn.de/event/123/abstracts/#submit-abstract

Important Notes:

• Application deadline: July 15, 2025
• Working knowledge of English is essential; some French is helpful
• Strong background in early modern philosophy is expected
• Flexible formats for student contributions include 20-minute talks, poster sessions, lightning talks, or collaborative presentations

Organizer: Ruth E. Hagengruber, Jil Muller & Ana Rodrigues

Application Deadline: July 15, 2025

In Person Participation (for ECTS-Credits)

Regular registration for hybrid participation without ECTS-Credits will follow soon.