Social and technological change requires interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary science.
The KIT-Center Humans and Technology (Mensch und Technik - MuT) offers its members an agile platform to help the joint commitment of scientists and change agents achieve greater impact. MuT promotes excellent research, education and collaboration as well as social dialogue to shape sustainable, transformative processes in socio-technical systems.
Veranstaltungskalender
The KIT Center for Humans and Technology would like to thank everyone involved in the Eucor MobiLab roadshow stop at the RPTU campus in Landau.
Visitors were treated to a varied program of information and hands-on activities on topics such as flood adaptation, PFAS chemicals and forests in a changing climate. The event was rounded off with live music in a relaxed atmosphere at MobiLab
We look forward to the next stop of the roadshow from 9-11 July at Theaterplatz in Basel.
See you there!
What a birthday party!
When the KIT centers bring research at KIT to life, people and technology are of course a must! On KIT's 200th birthday, which was also this year's Open Day, we were there with a series of interactive and informative offers around the MobiLab: How can video meetings be rethought in a new, adaptive and collaborative way in the future? With the help of a webcam and AI, you could talk to a Thomas Müller bot. With VR glasses, you could experience a new form of learning and interact with AI-based "intelligent virtual tutors" or make and control music through your brain activity with brain-computer interfaces suitable for everyday use.
The Cultures of Knowledge graduate school presented how doctoral students can prepare themselves to navigate between different knowledge cultures and help shape them. And we were able to present the variety of infrastructures that bring together research and social change, such as the KD2Lab, the Karl9 science lab and the MobiLab itself, which was also open to visitors.
Many thanks to all visitors and participants of this year's Karlsruhe Europe Days!
The KIT Center for Man and Technology looks back on a great event in cooperation with the City of Karlsruhe with many interesting contributions and encounters under this year's motto "We make Europe".
From a games evening with intercultural initiatives to social projects with EU funding and cross-border science activities, visitors were offered many interactive and inspiring activities. After the address by Lord Mayor Dr. Frank Mentrup and Markus Thomas from the Karlsruhe Regional Council, Prof. Dr. Weinhardt made it clear why the KIT Center for People and Technology has the ambition to bring KIT research to the city in this way: "Democracy needs science and science needs democracy!"
Around the MobiLab, there were also a number of artistic activities, such as a sustainable fashion show by GEDOC, painting activities with natural colors as part of the Art Weeks for Climate and Environment, and program items from the Badisches Staatstheater, the Centre Culturel Franco-Allemand, the European School Karlsruhe and Pulse of Europe.
We look forward to the next time!
The Eucor MobiLab Roadshow 2025 starts its tour through the region on May 13 in Offenburg - and we're on board! The mobile participatory laboratory will be travelling along the Upper Rhine until October, bringing people in Germany, France and Switzerland closer to scientific perspectives on sustainability issues.
At each stop, participants can expect a varied program on topics such as urban nature, climate change management, dealing with PFAS chemicals and the future of medicine. The MobiLab promotes the exchange of knowledge and experience and invites participants to discuss solutions to the challenges of the future.
The MobiLab, a multifunctional tiny house, offers space for interactive workshops, practical simulations and exciting dialogues between science and society. After its premiere in 2023, the Eucor MobiLab Roadshow is taking place for the second time and with an expanded program.
Further information can be found here and here.
Vom 8.-10.Mai werden in Karlsruhe wieder die Europatage gefeiert, und das MobiLab ist mit dabei!
Unter dem Motto „Wir machen Europa“ verwandelt sich der Karlsruher Marktplatz in ein interaktives Mitmach-Forum. Die Stadt Karlsruhe, das EUROPE DIRECT Zentrum Karlsruhe und das KIT-Zentrum Mensch und Technik bieten zusammen mit zahlreichen europäischen Akteuren aus der Stadt und der Region drei Tage lang die Möglichkeit zu entdecken, wie Karlsruhe Europa gestaltet … und umgekehrt.
This lecture explores the concept and practice of transformative urban research, focusing on the ways in which cities are not only objects of study, but also active sites of social change. Rather than viewing urban transformation as an external process to be analysed from a distance, transformative research embraces engagement, co-production and reflexivity as core elements of knowledge creation. This involves navigating complex issues of positionality, power and responsibility - especially when working across disciplinary boundaries and in close collaboration with diverse actors from civil society, local government and everyday urban life.
The presentation will also explore the potential and limitations of experimental formats such as Urban Living Labs (ULLs) in enabling urban change. While often promoted as platforms for innovation and participation, ULLs can fall short of their transformative ambitions if they remain disconnected from broader political and environmental struggles. Drawing on recent work at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the Mobilab will be presented as an example of situated, practice-oriented research that engages directly with issues of housing, public space, climate adaptation and socio-spatial justice in the context of medium-sized cities.
The aim is to reflect on how researchers can contribute to urban transformation processes - not as neutral observers or external facilitators, but as participants in shaping just and sustainable urban futures through critical, embedded and imaginative forms of inquiry.
This lecture is hosted by the KIT-Graduate School Cultures of Knowledge (CuKnow) in cooperation with the European University Alliance EPICUR as part of the lecture series "Transformative Cities".
Lecturer: Prof. Michael Janoschka
Date: 13th May 2025
Time: 11:30 – 13:00
Venue: TRIANGEL Transfer | Kultur | Raum or ONLINE
Register here
The KIT Graduate School Cultures of Knowledge is organising a lecture by Dr. Thomas Roessing on theories of science (in German language).
„Was kann ich wissen?“ ist eine der Grundfragen der Philosophie. Seit der Antike (übrigens nicht nur in Europa) haben sich Philosophen mit dieser Frage beschäftigt und dabei zahlreiche Ansätze erdacht, wie die Antwort lauten könnte. Seit dem Mittelalter dachten einige an die Erfahrung als Quelle des Wissens, also im weitesten Sinne an empirische Forschung. Mit der rasanten Entwicklung der Naturwissenschaften im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert gewann die Frage nach dem Wissen – und nach seinen Grenzen – an Dringlichkeit. Einige Wissenschaftler und Denker wollten das wiederholte Bestätigen von Beobachtungen zur Grundlage des Wissens machen, andere das gezielte und fortschreitende Verwerfen falscher Erklärungsansätze. Einige bestritten, dass es überhaupt etwas gebe, worüber man etwas wissen könne. Wieder andere hofften, die Welt mit Hilfe der Mathematik vollständig beschreiben zu können.
Für die Anmeldung und bei Fragen wenden Sie sich bitte an die Koordination der Graduiertenschule CuKnow: coordination@cuknow.kit.edu
The mobile Partizipation Lab is ready for spring – are you?
The KIT Center Humans and Technology warmly invites you to the "MobiLab Spring Awakening" on April 30, 2025, from 2 to 5pm, at KIT Campus East, Building 70.25.
We will be showcasing the MobiLab itself, along with a selection of participatory tolls and a wide range of applications. Maybe you would like to use our 3D printed model to start thinking about your first MobiLab project?
We look forward to chatting with you over a cup of coffee – whether you're a first-time user or already experienced!
Please register via email:
geschaeftsstelle@mensch-und-technik.kit.edu
+++ ATTENTION: Event will be postponed. Date to follow +++
in Karl9 – Wissenschaftslokal für Technik und Gesellschaft we will exchange ideas on the use of Citizen Science at KIT and create space for exchange on cooperation between science and society: Where are dialogues with society already taking place? What best-practice examples exist at KIT? What are our visions for the future involvement of citizens in research?
All interested researchers and employees of KIT are invited. Register your participation and, if applicable, your project presentation here or drop by at short notice!
The meeting is organized by the KIT-Center Humans and Technology in cooperation with the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS) and International Affairs (INTL).
20. - 23.03. Knowledge Week Health
In a few weeks, the Knowledge Week Health will kick off with a varied program on the health of the future. Thursday and Friday will start with a yoga session, followed on Fridays by exciting insights into the AHeaD project and innovative developments in the field of HealthTech. The Innovationscampus Nachhaltigkeit will then present its projects. On Friday evening, the Afterwork on the topic of PFAS invites you to discuss the risks of PFAS and possible solutions with experts from science, industry and the authorities in a relaxed atmosphere and bring the week to a close. On Saturday, the week will continue actively with KSC early sports on the market square, a family program and lectures, before we bring the Knowledge Week to a close on Sunday with wit, bite and live music at our late-night show "STULLE - wissenschaftlich belegt". All program points are free of charge.
We look forward to seeing you!
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The growing spread of false information poses a significant challenge to democracies – in Germany and the United States alike. As digital platforms shape public discourse, the proliferation of misleading content can undermine trust in democratic institutions and media alike.
Join us on the 24th of January from 6pm – 8.30pm as we delve into the critical intersection of information integrity and artificial intelligence. In a thought-provoking discussion featuring experts from politics, civil society, and academia, we will examine the risks that AI-driven disinformation poses to democracies and explore collaborative solutions to safeguard democratic values. We are excited to welcome Dr. Heather Ashby, Tobias Bacherle, MdB, and Dr. Jonas Fegert to the panel, moderated by Carolin Lindekamp (CORRECTIV).
Dr. Heather Ashby will set the stage with her Keynote. She is an independent researcher and consultant in the field of national security and technology. Dr. Ashby brings extensive experience in analyzing information integrity and the impacts of artificial intelligence on democratic processes.
After the Keynote Speech, the Panel Discussion: “Information Integrity at Risk: AI’s Role in Shaping Democracy in Germany and the US” follows. The panel will discuss strategies to address this global challenge, focusing on the transatlantic context. Panelists include: Dr. Heather Ashby, Tobias Bacherle, MdB, and Dr. Jonas Fegert.
The evening comes to an end after an Audience Q&A and a Closing Reception with drinks.
This event is organized by FZI Forschungszentrum Informatik in cooperation with the U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology’s MuT, and TRIANGEL.
The event will be held in English.
Please RSVP by writing to goulandris@fzi.de.
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In the context of the EPICUR SHAPE-IT project, The Academy for Responsible Research, Teaching, and Innovation (ARRTI) and International Affairs (INTL) are organizing a panel discussion on "Large Language Models in Academic Teaching: De- or Up-Skilling?" on 6 February 2025, 18.00 - 19.30 at Triangel. We will welcome guests from Karlsruhe on the panel. Assistant Professor Dr Filip Bialy from our partner Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań will join the discussion online. In this event, the panelists will discuss whether LLMs in academic teaching are more likely to lead to deskilling - a reduction in qualifications - or upskilling - an increase in qualifications - and how this should ultimately be assessed. Attendance is possible both on-site and online, please register here before 4 February 2025 or join us at short notice (without registration) if you wish to attend on-site.
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Vom 21. bis zum 23. Januar 2025 von jeweils 12 bis 18 Uhr kommt die Ausstellung „Speicher in der Tiefe: Wärmeenergie für Morgen“ ins TRIANGEL.
Wir alle brauchen im Winter viel mehr Wärme als im Sommer. Gleichzeitig steht im Winter weniger erneuerbare Energie zur Verfügung. Die Tiefe Geothermie kann helfen, dieses Ungleichgewicht auszugleichen: Sie erzeugt nicht nur ganzjährig nachhaltige Wärme, sondern kann diese auch speichern. So kann überschüssige Wärme aus dem Sommer im Winter genutzt werden.
Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler der Geoenergie-Forschung des KIT zeigen in der Ausstellung, wie Hochtemperatur-Wärmespeicherung im tiefen Untergrund funktionieren kann. Am Beispiel des Forschungsprojektes DeepStor am KIT Campus Nord erklären sie, wie eine ausgeförderte Erdöl-Speicherschicht zur Wärmespeicherung genutzt werden könnte. Mit einer VR-Brille machen sie in einer virtuellen Umgebung sichtbar, wie der Untergrund hier in der Region aufgebaut ist, wie er aussieht und welche Gesteinsschichten für die Speicherung geeignet sind. Eine weitere 3D-Visualisierung zeigt, wie das Speicherprinzip funktioniert und wie es für die Energiewende in Karlsruhe genutzt werden könnte.
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The MobiLab will be travelling a lot again in the coming year. With new content, engaged partners and exciting events.
3 highlights for 2025 in Karlsruhe:
The Europe Days on 9. May at Maktplatz will focus on internationality and interculturality in Karlsruhe. We will celebrate ‘Anniversary Year - 200 Years of KIT’ on 17. May at the Open Day at Campus South and from 14.-19. October during the KIT Science Week at the Natural History Museum under the motto Urban Nature of the Future.
The Eucor MobiLab Roadshow 2025 will also be travelling to the Eucor partner universities in Freiburg, Starsbourg, Basel and Mulhouse.
Look forward to a colourful year for MobiLab with the Centre for People and Technology!
Wissenschaftliches Wissen wird oft als tragfähig und verlässlich anerkannt. Dieses Auszeichnungsmerkmal wird seinerseits auf die wissenschaftlichen Methoden zurückgeführt, mit denen sorgfältig und kritisch die Berechtigung von Behauptungen geprüft wird. Im Rahmen des Vortrags werden einige Methoden vorgestellt, wie sie während der Wissenschaftlichen Revolution des 17. Jahrhunderts für die neu aufkommenden Wissenschaften entwickelt worden sind. Dazu zählen die induktive und die hypothetisch-deduktive Methode sowie das Experiment, die bis in die Gegenwart die Vorgehensweise der Wissenschaft charakterisieren. Abschließend wird auf die Geisteswissenschaften eingegangen und Behauptungen ihrer methodologischen Sonderstellung erörtert. Ziel ist es, an einigen Beispielen die Beschaffenheit des wissenschaftlichen Zugriffs auf die Welt deutlich zu machen.
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On the occasion of the International Day of Democracy on 15.09, TRIANGEL warmly invites you to the Days of Democracy for the third year in a row.
This year, the Days of Democracy are held under the motto of the ScienceYear 2024, “Freedom.” In addition to an Un-Conference (Barcamp) for both the general public and experts, a varied programme of participation formats, panel discussions, information, cultural and art events awaits.
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