Inter- and transdisciplinary research on the interplay between humans, nature and digital transformation
The aim of the working group is to instigate societal changes in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. Through our multi-methodological, participatory research, we capture various perspectives on the changes of our present and make them visible for scientific, political, and societal debates. Our aspiration is to identify effective levers for a common-good-oriented socio-ecological transformation and to experiment with new approaches for collective action in practice.
The Anthropocene, the age of humankind, describes the profound transformation of the Earth caused by human activities. Human relationships with nature are a central cause of this transformation. Therefore, it is crucial for the future to understand and question this relationship. We believe that the societal transformation of values and behaviors in the human-nature relationship is inseparably linked with digital transformation. Furthermore, in the context of a socio-ecological transformation, cities, in particular, are caught between calls for densely populated, climate-neutral spaces and their significance for biodiversity and human health. Hence, our research places special emphasis on digital practices and technologies, as well as on the urban environment.
We combine theory and practice to explore and test new practices of environmental research, environmental education and nature experience. We explore the social, political and cultural dimensions of nature and examine which approaches, narratives and practices of human-nature relations are needed in the Anthropocene and how the social potential of this knowledge can be activated for the future. On this basis, we develop and reflect together on innovative forms and digital tools of knowledge production and organization in the sense of a multidirectional knowledge transfer, such as approaches of participatory collecting.
Central research questions:
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How are people (as individuals, in groups and through initiatives and organizations) connected to nature?
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Which frameworks, concepts, narratives and practices enable the strengthening of relationships with nature and promote pro-environmental behavior towards a socio-ecological transformation?
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How can social innovation change existing scientific practices of knowledge production and organization of nature knowledge?