WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale
Research Area Transformation
The ‘Transformation’ research group at the WittenLab at Witten/Herdecke University investigates and promotes processes of social, cultural and environmental change.
A key focus is on the integration of collective trauma, utilising interdisciplinary approaches such as ‘Global Social Witnessing’ to develop personal and societal integration skills. At the same time, the division is dedicated to planetary education, with the aim of developing narratives and educational approaches that address the challenges of climate change and foster a new awareness of our responsibility as co-creators of the future.
The ‘Academy Third Space’ real-world laboratory creates a space for dialogue, inspired by Homi K. Bhabha’s concept of the ‘Third Space’, which strengthens art and culture as transformative forces in post-migrant societies. This is complemented by the ‘(T)Raumfabrik’ exchange space, which explores urban, self-organised spaces where art, work and philosophy are intertwined.
These research approaches combine theory and practice to open up innovative pathways towards a sustainable and just society.
Collective traumas
The aim of the Trauma Research Group is to conduct interdisciplinary research into collective trauma integration and to develop personal and societal integration skills using social techniques such as ‘Global Social Witnessing’. Dr Thomas Hübl, Pocket Project e. V., sponsors the research group and provides conceptual support.
Planetary Education
How can we bear witness to climate change and create new narratives for planetary education? The Planetary Education research area addresses these key questions. Adapting to climate change is an evolutionary challenge; we must understand that we are helping to shape the future. In doing so, we should take into account not only the practical, technological and behavioural aspects, but also the personal and social ones. To identify the blind spots in these areas, we need a new awareness. We are dedicated to this research into consciousness from various scientific perspectives.
Person responsible for the research area
Prof. Dr.
Kazuma Matoba
Adjunct professor
WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale | Research Area Transformation
Adjunct professor
Faculty of Management, Economics and Society (Department of Philosophy, Politics and Economics) | Chair of Moral and Political Philosophy
Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50
58455 Witten
Third Space Academy
The Third Space Theatre Experiment Academy (named after Homi K. Bhabha) is a social lab that was launched in Dortmund in autumn 2023. It stems from an initiative by the film director and cultural practitioner Ayse Kalmaz. The project is driven by the urgent need to facilitate dialogue between members of different cultural spheres, an issue of particular relevance in today’s post-migrant urban societies.
(T)RaumFabrik – ‘Living and working in the future’
The ‘(T)Raumfabrik’ exchange space is a collaboration between researchers and practitioners from the fields of organisational and neighbourhood development, urban studies, cultural production, as well as philosophy (in particular the philosophy of work) and the sociology of culture
Person responsible for the research area
Dr. phil.
Aude Bertrand-Höttcke
Researcher
WittenLab. Zukunftslabor Studium fundamentale
Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 48
58455 Witten
Room number: 1.064