Research infrastructures
In the same way as the natural sciences and engineering, human-centered, participatory and transdisciplinary research also needs infrastructures as interfaces where different actors work together. These are real world and experimental labs, digital platforms, dialogue spaces and formats and many more.
The KIT Center Humans and Technology is currently networking the following infrastructures that are particularly relevant to the Center's thematic fields - more to come...
We advise and support all KIT researchers and external partners in the use of these infrastructures - from the application process to project work.
Contact: David Huber (mobilab-kokreis@lists.kit.edu)
Address: Location mostly KIT Campus East, location flexible depending on assignment
Involved centers and institutes: MuT, ITAS
The "MobiLab" was created in 2021 as a mobile participation laboratory in the form of a Tiny House and is coordinated by the KIT Center Humans and Technology and the Karlsruhe Transformation Center for Sustainability and Cultural Change (KAT) (research group of ITAS). It provides a platform for the exchange between science and society, and can be used for various forms of participatory research, citizen science, science communication, participation and dialog.
Contact: Dr. Leon Houf (kd2lab-team@kit.edu)
Address: Fritz-Erler-Straße 1-3, 76133 Karlsruhe
Head: Prof. Dr. Petra Nieken
.
Participating centers and institutes: WIN, ECON, IBU, AIFB, IfSS, IPEK
The DFG-funded Karlsruhe Decision & Design Lab (KD²Lab) in the heart of Karlsruhe is one of the world's largest computer-aided experimental laboratories. With its excellent infrastructure for economic, neuro- and psycho-physiological experiments in a highly controlled environment, it offers optimal conditions for interdisciplinary and internationally recognized cutting-edge research, particularly in the divisions of human decision-making behavior, human-machine interaction and social interaction.
Contact: hello@triangel.space
Address: Kaiserstraße 93, 76133 Karlsruhe
The TRIANGEL Transfer | Culture | Space enables an exchange between science, business and society in the heart of Karlsruhe city center and beyond. It acts as an advisory and implementing partner in the realization of cross-target group and cross-topic transfer formats as well as in funding projects and provides an open and lively space.
Contact: kontakt@wir-forschen.digital
Website: wir-forschen.digital
Participating centers and institutes: WIN, AIFB
The citizens' panel Wir forschen digital enables citizens from Karlsruhe and the surrounding area to experience current research on digital technologies. Interested parties can simply register for studies via the online portal - and are paid for each participation.
Contact: info@quartierzukunft.de
Address: Rintheimer Straße 46, 76131 Karlsruhe
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 14:00 - 18:00
Participating centers and institutes: ITAS
The Zukunftsraum for Sustainability and Science is an interface between science and citizens. It is an offer from the reality lab, real-world laboratory "District Future - Urban Lab" for anyone who wants to pursue ideas for the sustainable transformation of all areas of life. The Zukunftsraum regularly hosts seminars, workshops, lectures and exhibitions, particularly on the topic of sustainable neighborhood development. The Zukunftsraum can be used by local groups and initiatives to hold courses in research, teaching and innovation in the spirit of sustainable development.
Contact: Silvio Martin (silvio.martin@kit.edu)
Address: Kaiserstrasse 24, 76133 Karlsruhe
Head: Prof. Dr. Daniel Lang
.
Participating centers and institutes: ITAS
The Sustainable Futures Lab (SFL) comprises an immersive 4×4 m environment for 2D, 360° and 3D content, a mobile installation for data-intensive visualizations and the latest virtual and mixed reality technologies.
The combination of data, simulation, visualization and interaction modules creates an innovative experimental space for scientific analyses and participatory processes. The infrastructure enables the involvement of stakeholders, practitioners and citizens, the joint reflection of future scenarios and the testing of transformation paths in virtual space.
In this way, the SFL contributes to shaping social discourses on the future, promotes transparent and inclusive negotiation processes and strengthens transdisciplinary cooperation in sustainable transformation research.
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Contact: Meike Hebich (meike.hebich@kit.edu)
Address: Kaiserstrasse 24, 76133 Karlsruhe
Institutes and centers involved: ITAS, WIN, MuT, IRM
Every good idea starts with a spark!
The spark can be ignited in spark- at the interface between society and science - where excellent research is created. From October 2026, you can start and advance your projects here together with other researchers, students and people from society and practice.
As part of KIT Science City at Kronenplatz, KIT spark offers customized spaces and resources for the entire range of society-oriented research - from experiments for the resilient city of tomorrow to reality labs, real-world laboratories and citizen science projects.
Making the future tangible: With the Sustainable Futures Lab (SFL) integrated into KIT spark, you also have the opportunity to experiment with virtual future scenarios.
spark is a cooperation between the Institute of Technology Assessment (ITAS), the KIT Humans and Technology Center (MuT) and the Institute of Information Systems (WIN).
We will celebrate the official opening of KIT spark in October 2026!
Head: Prof. Dr. Petra Nieken
.
Institutes involved: IBU, WIN
Human subject research is, as the name suggests, scientific investigation - observational or interventional - with human subjects. It provides findings that directly relate to human needs, behavior and decisions.
In contrast to purely animal or model-based studies, the results can be directly applied to social and economic challenges, develop evidence-based practices, identify risk factors and design effective interventions for individual and societal well-being.
The Human Subject Research Hub at KIT links cutting-edge technology to human needs, generates scientifically sound and socially relevant knowledge, and strengthens KIT as a pioneer of science for impact that brings about significant change.
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<Science> to meet you
Contact: hello∂corner.kit.edu
Head: Prof. Dr. Michael Janoschka
Institutes involved: IfR
With corner, science comes to you! Right in the middle of the city - to citizens who are curious and want to participate in discussions and research.
Our target: to get people talking together about topics relating to the city and society, to ask and answer questions.
To this end, we bring scientific research projects to you with exhibitions, discussion rounds, hands-on activities and lots of information that form the basis for an exchange at eye level. We think: Science is not possible without you! That's why we do research together and ask what our common future in the city can look like.
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