Anke te Heesen, Viktoria Tkaczyk (© Sabine Mittermeier)

The Center explores the sociopolitical significance of the humanities in historical, contemporary, and global contexts. In Western modernity, applied research has traditionally been viewed as a universally valid body of knowledge, based on laws and often exploitable for practical gain. In contrast to this view, the Center explores the untapped potential of humanities disciplines to shape and transform society. In this sense, “applied humanities” comprises a global-historical array of practices that transcend disciplinary boundaries and are embedded in political, cultural, and economic frameworks. Beyond merely utilitarian ends, the applied humanities fulfill emancipatory, politically critical functions—for instance, provisioning a particular body of knowledge, developing and transferring particular skills and techniques, reflecting on and recontouring social structures and ways of life, and shaping public discourses.
Our interdisciplinary research group aims to uncover these functions and to enter into an intensive exchange with a group of national and international fellows, associated colleagues, staff, young researchers, and students. Further info: www.appliedhumanities.net/

Participants:

Prof. Dr. Viktoria Tkaczyk
Prof. Dr. Anke te Heesen
Dr. Alrun Schmidtke
Dr. Niki Rhyner
Alejandra Osorio
Lindiwe Breuer
Lisa Blum

Please register by December 10, 2025.