College UA Ruhr: Features

FEATURES

The FEATURES section is a digital space for miscellaneous editorial content illuminating the College’s research activities. It accommodates academic articles, essays, reviews, and blog posts, as well as interviews and portraits. The purpose of this format is to provide insights into research at the College, display different perspectives within the social sciences and humanities on current debates, and reflect the variety of research fields. The section also spotlights individual researchers with their projects. The authors and contributors are regularly College members and Senior Fellows.

Latest Posts

#interview

Elena Beregow standing in the foyer of the building where the College is located, entrance door in the background

Exploring the Relationship between Temperature and Society in the Age of Global Warming

People sweat – but who sweats under what circumstances is primarily a question of social conditions. Sociologist Elena Beregow investigates the relationship between temperature and society, particularly in the context of the climate crisis. As newly appointed junior professor, she will establish the research group ‘Sweat – Sociology of Transpiration in the Age of Global Warming’.

Althea Greenan in her office, working with slides and a print of artworks

Animating Archives – Curating Women’s Art, Bringing Marginalised Histories to Life

Althea Greenan is curator of the Women’s Art Library (WAL) at Goldsmiths, University of London – a collection of various forms of art documentation with a focus on women artists’ collective work in the UK dating from 1900 to the present. During her fellowship, Althea is working on a project that centres on archiving as an emancipatory tool for political participation.

Matebeni giving a lecture, standing in front of a speaker's desk, behind her the blue College banner

How South African Visual Culture and Performance Resonate in a German Context

Zethu Matebeni and Henriette Gunkel worked together as tandem partners in the Senior Fellowship Programme during the winter term 2024/25. Their collaboration is based on a long-standing partnership between the University of Fort Hare in South Africa and Ruhr University Bochum.

Germany's Stronger Democracy: Letter from an American on the Eve of the German National Elections

William C. Donahue reflects on recent political developments in Germany and the USA in a "Letter to the Germans," first published shortly before the recent German national elections. During his fellowship at the College he is working on a project that compares US and German "memory cultures".

Influencing Factors in Civic Education

What factors foster civic skills and political participation? The PostdocLab working group 'Civic Education Research Lab (CERL)' explores influencing factors in civic education. In this interview, the members explain their interdisciplinary approach and give insights into their collaboration.

Fellows' Farewell Feature: Perspectives of the First Senior Fellows at the College

The first group of international Senior Fellows has completed their research stays at the College. What are their perspectives on their hosting institution, the University Alliance Ruhr, and the Ruhr region? In this interview, the visiting researchers share their impressions, personal views, and experiences.

Developing Social Innovation Digital Ecosystems (SIDE): Recommendations for Practitioners and Policymakers

A Social Innovation Digital Ecosystem is a dynamic community of actors united by a common goal, addressing societal challenges through a collaborative, inclusive, and open process. This policy brief provides recommendations for practitioners and policymakers for developing these ecosystems.