Research

Our research focuses on exploring the multi-layered relations of technologies and environments, while alternating between prioritizing technology, science, philosophy, and art with both disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. We are especially interested in the study of constellations and structures, of life forms, and of past, present, and future socio-technical mindscapes.


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Technology as Epistemic Culture

Technology is examined as cultural practice, considering technoscientific objects, socio-technical imaginations, technological forms of knowledge, or technoscientific theory (dissociated from science...

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Environmental Anthropology

Environmental Anthropology is understood by us as a critical analysis regarding the relevance of technology. Creation and manipulation of environment by humankind is treated in particular....

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Images as Instruments

Environmental Anthropology is understood by us as a critical analysis regarding the relevance of technology. Creation and manipulation of environment by humankind is treated in particular....

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Future Narratives

Heuricstics of engineering and sciences are future-oriented, scrutinizing new technology or controllable regularities. Perceptions of social, economical, and ecological change are inevitably...

Keynote: Research of the Chair of Technoscience Studies

  • Prof. Dr. Astrid Schwarz

    Our research heuristics can best be understood as philosophic fieldwork. Therefore, we rely on empirical measurements, as well as conceptual, interpretative, hermeneutical, and analytical approaches. 

Heuristical thinking is a key competency of engineering. We examine heuristics as a problem-solving strategy and use them analysing case studies that reveal different facets of thinking and acting. The work involves experimenting, crafting, testing, designing, sketching, and playing. We also apply heuristical thinking to established narration techniques and widespread patterns of socio-cultural interpretation. We are also interested in examining how phenomena, methods, concepts and their logics of design are mutually stabilizing. Our methodlogy will often involve several subject areas.

‘Environment’ is viewed in a social and (artificial) technological context (e.g. digitalisation, virtual reality, social robotics, sustainable building, urban gardening, or re-vegetated landscapes). This also encompasses ‘environmental problems’ (e.g. Anthropocene and climate change, urban sprawl and destruction of landscapes, species extinction and alienation from nature). Another topic is the analysis and comparative evaluation of present (or past) visions for future environment and engineering relations.