Category Archives: Knowledge Exchange

Knowledge Exchange, News, Object Lab

“Choreographies of Knowledge” – Knowledge Exchange with Society through Dance

How does knowledge move? What transformative potential lies in movement for sharing and shaping ideas? Does research have a rhythm, a form, a choreography? How do bodies, materials, concepts and spaces interact and dance together in the dynamic co-creation of knowledge?

These questions form the foundation of Irina Demina’s work as a choreographer, dramaturg, and artistic researcher. Since February 2025, she has been commissioned with the development of participatory, body-based formats for knowledge exchange and public engagement at the Center for Cultural Techniques’ Object Lab.

Irina understands choreography not as something that occurs exclusively on stage, but as a way of thinking movement, a strategy for organizing knowledge and exploring relationships between ideas, bodies, objects, space, and time. With SCARBOD Lab (a name derived from Science, Art and Body), she founded an experimental platform and investigates how body-based artistic practices can open up new approaches to scientific research and public engagement.

The Object Lab at the Center for Cultural Techniques provides the space and setting for Irina to conceptualize and explore formats with the potential of transforming scientific concepts into embodied, tangible experiences. The aim of this practice is to build bridges between science and society and to bring focus to the body as a medium of thinking and researching — an approach Irina calls ‘bodyation,’ where ideas are shaped and directly experienced through movement. This holds potential for creating spaces of encounter— between people and objects, between movements and ideas, between theory and practice.

Upcoming events in the Object lab: 

„Choreographies of knowledge“ (performative encounter)  
04.07.2025 and 05.07.2025 5 – 7 pm

„Bodyation“ (movement workshops)
Wednesday   30.04.25  12.30 – 13.30h  (for ZfK members only)
Wednesday    07.05.25  09 – 10 h (open to all HU members)
Wednesday    04.06.25  09 – 10 h (open to all HU members) 
Wednesday    02.07.25  09 – 10 h (open to all HU members)

If you would like to engage in a deeper exchange about object, body, and movement, please feel free to contact us at wissensaustausch.hzk@hu-berlin.de

Photo: Philipp Weinrich

 
 
BUA, Knowledge Exchange, News, Open Humboldt Freiräume, Third Mission

Universities have a civic duty

In this first networking event for knowledge exchange with society, experts and academics from Oxford and Berlin came together at Humboldt University’s Center for Cultural Technique to discuss the topic of public engagement.

The historic lecture hall and the object laboratory of the Center for Cultural Techniques provided the perfect space – the international speakers contributed the specific professional expertise for this November event: the topic of “Researching with Society – International Perspectives” brought together 50 scientists and science-related stakeholders to exchange ideas on how researching with society can succeed. The importance, possibilities and techniques of participatory research and the role of universities were discussed in lectures and workshops.

A highlight of the day was the keynote speech by Dr. Victoria McGuinness, Head of Public Engagement and Head of the Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH) at the University of Oxford. She emphasized the changing role of universities – from a static educational institution to an institution with social responsibility and an open space for discourse – and at the same time highlighted the importance of every scientist as a “doorway to the university” for non-academic communities.

Talks and workshops

On invitation by the office for Knowledge Exchange with Society at Humboldt University’s Center for Cultural Technique and the TD-Lab – Laboratory for Transdisciplinary Research of the Berlin University Alliance (BUA), participants were able to explore the methods and impact of participatory research in practical workshops and network with other public engagement experts.

For example, the workshop “What is Public Engagement with Research in the Humanities?” with Dr. Victoria McGuinness offered the opportunity to talk about motivation and support systems needed to bring researchers into exchange with non-academic publics.

In the workshop “Developing Compelling Impact Stories” with Pavel Ovseiko, DPhil MSc PGDip, Senior Research Fellow in Health Policy and Management at John Radcliffe Hospital (University of Oxford) the participants looked at ways in which social impact can be defined, collected, communicated and established in a meaningful way.

Ausblick auf 2025

The exchange on public engagement will be continued next year and opportunities for further training – such as the recently launched cooperation with the Berlin School of Public Engagement and Open Science – will be expanded. The aim is to support scientists who are conducting or planning to conduct research projects in participatory ways.

Questions, suggestions and/or specific ideas can be sent to wissensaustausch.hzk@hu-berlin.de 

Photos by Stefan Klenke, Humboldt University

Knowledge Exchange, News, Object Lab, Third Mission

Object Lab: Seed Funding for Teaching

The program ‘Object Lab: Seed Funding for Teaching’ supports teachers and students across disciplines in shaping academic questions and seminar work in cooperation with society. The aim is to integrate questions, experience and knowledge from society into teaching and university work with students, to learn from various actors in civil society, culture or politics and create an equal exchange.

The office for “Knowledge Exchange with Society” at the Center for Cultural Technique supports seminars that work in a transdisciplinary or participatory way and include elements of exchange with society or public engagement. This may include:

  • Cooperation with appropriate societal actors / organizations
  • Cooperation in the organization or presentation of course content; in the form of co-teaching or using other methods that aim to incorporate expertise from outside academia
  • Course design with aspects of community-based research/learning
  • Cooperation with society within a seminar by students, in course projects or final theses
  • Cooperation with social groups or organizations for the presentation/display of course results
  • Courses that combine material practices, object- or body-centered approaches in teaching with external collaborations

Support is provided through:

  • Funding of course materials up to 1,000 euros per seminar
  • Use of space at the Object Lab on the North Campus, including flexible room equipment
  • Occasional event assistance by arrangement
  • Support/advice from HU team Knowledge exchange with society (approx. 2h per week)

Eligible for funding are:

  • Courses that are transdisciplinary or include elements of exchange with society
  • BA or MA seminars by members of the Center for Cultural Technique, HU Berlin
  • Seminars that can take place in the Object Lab on Campus North or establish a spatial reference to the space through workshops/parts of the seminar work
  • Seminars that take place in SoSe 2025 or WiSe 2025/26
  • Material costs that are spent for coursework within the calendar year 2025 (expenses are paid by the Center for Cultural Technique or the assigned WBS element)

Members of the Center for Cultural Technique are eligible to apply in the first funding phase:

  • Please contact Xenia Muth or Leonie Kubigsteltig or send a short inquiry to hzk@hu-berlin.de to register your interest
  • Expression of interest for the SoSe 2025 should be received by 26.01.2025
Knowledge Exchange, News

Sensing Common Grounds. Towards Collaborative Speculation

Roundtable Discussion by Cluster of excellence “Matters of Activity” on November 14, 2024, 6:30 pm

The roundtable addresses current challenges at the intersection of critical humanities scholarship and design research by discussing nuanced means of knowing and making. It attends to collaborative speculation in inter- and transdisciplinary contexts to sense and unearth common grounds through the reality of the ecological predicament. Together with our guests, we ask about the narratives, prototypes, norms, materials and media that hold knowledge (and non-knowledge) of such speculations and public imaginaries: How to unlearn and unmake dominant modes of worldmaking by cutting across disciplines, foregrounding embodied knowledges, situated inquiry and extra-academic encounters?

The event will be held in English.                      

Hermann von Helmholtz-Zentrum für Kulturtechnik, HU Berlin Campus Nord, Philippstraße 13/Haus 3

 

BUA, Knowledge Exchange, News, Third Mission, Workshop

Researching with Society: International Perspectives

HU Office for Knowledge Exchange with Society at Zentrum für Kulturtechnik | TD-Lab – Laboratory for Transdisciplinary Research of the Berlin University Alliance

Time:    Wednesday, 20. November 2024, 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Place:    Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Nord, Philippstraße 13, Haus 3, 10115 Berlin
(Keynote/Workshops: Entrance Tieranatomisches Theater;
Reception: Entrance Hermann von Helmholtz-Zentrum für Kulturtechnik)

This is an in-person event that will take place in English. Please note that the workshops are currently fully booked and that your name will be added to a waiting list. Please register your interest here.

Researching with Society: International Perspectives

We are pleased to announce the event “Researching with Society: International Perspectives” on November 20th 2024, a get-together at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin on participatory research and public engagement offering learning and networking opportunities for Berlin researchers. The day will feature a keynote speech and workshops by international experts from the University of Oxford followed by a reception allowing time and space for networking and discussions.
Science and universities have a central role and responsibility in dealing with major societal challenges of our time. Knowledge exchange between academia and society is thus increasingly becoming an important part of research and knowledge production. The event welcomes all researchers, members of BUA institutions and interested science-related organizations to explore approaches and impact of participatory research and public engagement, discuss civic responsibilities of universities and network with partners from the University of Oxford. Please join us for the following program:

12:40 pm   Doors open at Tieranatomisches Theater

1:00-1:45 pm   Keynote Speech: Enhancing Research Through Public Engagement – Strengthening Participatory Approaches in Academia
by Dr. Victoria McGuinness, Head of Public Engagement, Head of The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH), University of Oxford
preceded by a welcome by Prof. Dr. Julia von Blumenthal, president of HU Berlin

This talk will explore the vital role of universities in addressing today’s societal challenges and their civic responsibilities. It will outline the opportunities for collaboration and co-creation and the added value of participatory approaches and public engagement in research, including their impact and outcomes. The speaker will share examples of how universities can support participatory research methods and strengthen these essential practices in academia

1:45-3:45 pm    Parallel Workshops: please note that the workshops are fully booked at present and that your name will be added to a waiting list (register your interest here)

Workshop 1: What is Public Engagement with Research in the Humanities?
Dr. Victoria McGuinness, Head of Public Engagement, Head of TORCH, University of Oxford
This workshop will delve into the feasibility of public engagement and participation across various disciplines in the Humanities. We will explore the motivations for researchers to engage in participatory projects with non-academic audiences and organisations, and identify the support needed to initiate and lead these initiatives. Participants will discuss the challenges faced in implementing participatory research approaches and public engagement, sharing methods and solutions to overcome obstacles. Join us to enrich your research through meaningful and equitable collaboration.

Workshop 2: Developing Compelling Impact Stories
Pavel Ovseiko, DPhil MSc PGDip, Senior Research Fellow in Health Policy and Management, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford
This interactive workshop will introduce you to the UK’s best practice in defining, capturing, communicating, and incentivising research with impact on society, culture, and the economy. We will look at the fundamentals of a narrative impact case study, examine a mixture of real-world case studies, and critically discuss comparative advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to measuring and rewarding impactful research. You will walk away with real insights into what it takes to develop a narrative impact case study; which types of indicators you can use to demonstrate your impact; and how to pull different strands of evidence into compelling impact stories.

4:00-5:30 pm  Reception and Networking (snacks and drinks provided)
With Dr. Victoria McGuinness (TORCH, University of Oxford), Pavel Ovseiko (John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford), OPEN HUMBOLDT Advisory Board, HU Office for Knowledge Exchange with Society, BUA TD-Lab

Registration: Please register for the event and select a workshop here (waiting list)
Contact: wissensaustausch.hzk@hu-berlin.de

Photo: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Knowledge Exchange, News, Open Humboldt Freiräume

Open Humboldt Freiräume – Time for dialogue and exchange

Time to implement projects with organisations from civil society organisations and thus promote the exchange of knowledge between university and society – this is what the Open Humboldt Freiräume funding line stands for. It literally creates ‘free spaces’ for researchers, who can be released from their teaching duties for one semester, to realise their ideas. The Humboldt University thus supports the exchange between science and society in the long term, as the projects often result in long-term collaborations and strong networks with civil society partners.

The programme is currently in its fifth round and has already supported 14 projects since 2021. In a video, researchers and their partners talk about the wishes and goals they have for their projects, what they learn and what successful projects look like.

Open Humboldt Freiräume is supported with excellence funding from the Berlin University Alliance.

Presented – Open Humboldt Freiräume in the video (YouTube)

OpenHumboldtFreiräume-Imagefilm-00000218-Standbild001
Prof. Gökce Yurdakul (right) in conversation with practice partners. Photo: Isabelle Duchêne
Knowledge Exchange, News, Third Mission, Workshop

Training Program in Public Engagement for Researchers

The team of HU ‘Knowledge Exchange with Society‘ at Zentrum für Kulturtechnik (HZK) invites researchers to participate in a training program for Public Engagement, delivered by the Berlin School of Public Engagement and Open Science. The workshop series is an effective and flexible training in public engagement and knowledge exchange between science and society. It offers an active network and a certificate in the field of participation and engagement.

  • What: Training program (Ger/Eng) with 3 thematic modules and optional units: 1. Foundations – Engagement in Practice, 2. Evaluation Practice, 3. Creative Engagement – Skills and Formats
  • Who: the training is aimed at researchers from all disciplines and at all stages of their careers who are interested in cooperating with non-academic and community partners
  • When: from October 2024 to June 2025, with an average of one workshop per month; you can choose and book the individual appointments on your own
  • Where: live online sessions on Zoom

Please see here for detailed information about the training

If you are interested in participating or have questions, please contact the HU-team Knowledge Exchange with Society at wissensaustausch.hzk@hu-berlin.de until September 15.

 

Knowledge Exchange, News, Open Humboldt Freiräume

Call for Proposals: Open Humboldt Freiräume for Public Engagement

The funding program “Open Humboldt Freiräume” at HZK focuses on the need of researchers to have more time in order to engage in a dialogue with society and to develop projects for knowledge exchange between science and society.

The selected scientists will receive a teaching reduction to 0 SWS and funds for a replacement position for one semester (summer 2025 or winter 2025/26) to implement a knowledge exchange project with non-academic partners. Professors, postdocs and doctoral students at HU Berlin are eligible to apply. The applicants’ positions must have a teaching load and be fully financed by HU funds.

Info sessions online:
Tuesday, 13 August 2024, 10:00 a.m., Registration (HU-Zoom)
Friday, 19. September 2024, 12:00 noon, Registration (HU-Zoom)

Application deadline: October 11, 2024

For any questions  about the funding program, please contact Xenia Muth in the HZK area “Knowledge Exchange with Society” at wissensaustausch.hzk@hu-berlin.de or join a Freiräume info session.

Call for proposals Open Humboldt Freiräume 2025/26

Time is What you Make of it – Photo © Matthias Heyde