The office for „Knowledge Exchange with Society” at the Centre for Cultural Techniques is the central point of contact at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin for methods, questions and programmes of transdisciplinary and participatory research and practice as well as internationalization in the field of public engagement.
We define knowledge exchange with society as an equal exchange, allowing space for questions and integrating living knowledge and experiences from society into research and teaching. Our aim is to learn from various community actors and to tackle pressing societal issues together with civil society, culture and politics.
As a team, we support researchers, students and staff across disciplines in addressing scientific issues in collaboration with society in order to enrich their research and contribute to overcoming social challenges together. We offer a range of project counselling and training services for the implementation of knowledge exchange with society in research and teaching, provide support with funding opportunities and facilitate networking with other projects and community actors.
Contact:
Xenia Muth
Leonie Kubigsteltig
Office for Knowledge Exchange with Society
Phone: +49(0)30 2093-12892 | -12881
Email: wissensaustausch.hzk@hu-berlin.de
Location: HU Campus Nord, Haus 3 | Philippstraße 13 | 10115 Berlin
Mail: Unter den Linden 6 | 10099 Berlin
Teaching and Learning with Society: new courses in the object lab (summer term 2025)
A new Seed Funding program has been established by the Office for Knowledge Exchange with Society to support transdisciplinary seminars in the Object Lab. Financial help and advice is given to shape research questions and coursework in cooperation with society. The programme in the summer term 2025 focuses on the
Dance Artist in residence: Engaging with Science Through Movement
Choreographer and artistic researcher Irina Demina (SCARBOD Lab) is currently a resident artist at Hermann von Helmholtz-Zentrum für Kulturtechnik (ZfK). In this interview she talks about her vision to use body-based formats for knowledge exchange and public engagement with research. In collaboration with the Office for Knowledge Exchange with Society
Performative encounters in the object lab “Choreographies of knowledge” on 4th/5th July 2025
“Choreographies of knowledge” at the Object Lab invites practitioners and researchers from the fields of body-based arts, movement and performance to share their practices in a series of dynamic encounters in a relaxed open studio atmosphere. In this open space, where we are also going to engage practically in movement
“Bodyation” movement workshops in the object lab: brain storming the body
This regular movement session invites the HU community to rethink thinking—engaging your body as an active partner in the research and ideation process. Where in your body does curiosity arise? How do ideas take shape through movement? How does a shift in posture shift your perspective? Through guided movement improvisation
Research Lounge – Participatory Approaches in Research
Call for Contributions: Submit abstracts for the fifth Research Lounge on the topics of Participatory Approaches in Research until April 20, 2025. The fifth Research Lounge will take place on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 from 2 to 5 p.m. on the topic of “Participatory Approaches in Research”, this time at
“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