ZeStuR aims to comprehensively understand the structural change in Lusatia from a coal-mining region to new futures and to accompany this change in both scientific and practical terms. It combines interdisciplinary research with transdisciplinary cooperation in order to develop new ways for a sustainable, democratic and liveable Lusatia together with regional actors. ZeStuR combines various disciplines from faculties 4, 5 and 6 of the BTU Cottbus-Sentenberg in five thematic clusters and is funded by the Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) from November 2025 to October 2030.

A basic assumption is that structural change in Lusatia affects not only the economy, industry and labour, but also the social fabric of the region. Cluster 3 examines how social cohesion, quality of life and participation can be developed and strengthened in the long term in times of profound change.

The focus is on the question of how people, organisations and institutions in Lusatia actively shape change rather than merely enduring it. The research examines biographical experiences, civil society engagement and regional networks that support social cohesion or enable it to emerge anew.

Using methods such as interviews, ethnographic case studies, network analyses and real-world laboratories, the cluster works closely with local actors. The aim is to highlight regional transformation capabilities and to develop new forms of social innovation and participation together with partners.

The Department of Technology and Environmental Sociology researches the social dimensions of socio-ecological transformations – and helps to shape them at the same time. The focus is on participatory and co-design-oriented research that brings together actors from science, politics and civil society. Real-world laboratories and future workshops are giving rise to new forms of social innovation, participation and sustainability – for a fair and adaptive transformation region in Lusatia.

Cluster 3 builds on insights and approaches from the WIRinRegionen project.

The Cluster 3 team (currently being expanded):

Melanie Jaeger-Erben (cluster manager)

Andreas Huber (cluster co-manager)

Erik Burtchen (academic staff member)

Tamerat Orbach (academic staff member)

ZeStuR aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the structural transformation of Lusatia from a coal-mining region into a new future and to support it in both scientific and practical terms. It combines interdisciplinary research with transdisciplinary collaboration in order to develop new paths for a sustainable, democratic and liveable Lusatia together with regional stakeholders. ZeStuR combines various disciplines from Faculties 4, 5 and 6 of BTU Cottbus-Sentenberg in five thematic clusters and is being funded by the Ministry of Research, Technology and Space from November 2025 to October 2030.

One basic assumption is that structural change in Lusatia not only affects the economy, industry and labour, but also the social fabric of the region. Cluster 3 examines how social cohesion, quality of life and participation can develop and be strengthened in the long term in times of profound change.

The focus is on the question of how people, organisations and institutions in Lusatia actively shape change instead of merely enduring it. Biographical experiences, civic engagement and regional networks that support social cohesion or allow it to emerge are being researched.

Using methods such as interviews, ethnographic case studies, network analyses and real-world laboratories, the cluster works closely with local actors. The aim is to visualise regional transformation capabilities and develop new forms of social innovation and participation together with partners.

The Chair of Sociology of Technology and Environment researches social dimensions of socio-ecological transformations - and at the same time helps to shape them. The focus is on participatory and co-design-oriented research that brings together stakeholders from science, politics and civil society. Real-world laboratories and future workshops create new forms of social innovation, participation and sustainability - for a just and adaptive transformation region of Lusatia.

Cluster 3 builds on the findings and approaches of the WIRinRegionen project.

The Cluster 3 team:

• Melanie Jaeger-Erben (Cluster Leader)
• Andreas Huber (Cluster Co-Head)
• Dr Friederike Rohde (academic staff)
• Lina Hansen (academic staff)
• Erik Burtchen (academic staff)
• Tamerat Orbach (academic staff)

The ZeStur transfer team includes:

• Miriam Bui
• Luisa Stuhr

More information on the overall project can be found here: https: //www.b-tu.de/zestur