Julia Reinermann, Dr.-phil.

I am currently working in the department of Environmental Sciences at FernUniversität in Hagen (since 2020) and as a Senior Researcher at the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHT in Oberhausen (since 2021). Additionally, I hold a visiting researcher position at Humboldt University in Berlin.

I also teach at the Freie Universität Berlin (Master's program Futures Studies, since 2022) and the Fernuniversität Hagen (Master's program in Environmental Studies - infernum, since 2023 and postgraduate program DYNERGY, since 2023).

I held research associate positions at the Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI) Essen (2018-2020), the University of Duisburg-Essen (Center for Logistics and Transport/Urban Systems, 2011-2018; Center for Nanointegration, 2018), and the Institute of Geography/Sustainability team at the University of Duisburg-Essen (2010-2011).

I earned my PhD in Communication Science from the University of Duisburg-Essen in 2019. Prior to that, i completed a Master's degree in Communication Science and Social Sciences at the same university (2003-2010).

Research Foci

Socio-ecological transformation and communiation

Communication about and from climate change significantly influences our emotions, understanding, and actions. Not only is communication ubiquitous in shaping our world and ourselves within it, but it also standardizes how we perceive and respond. Research indicates that individuals in industrialized societies often experience feelings of overwhelm, powerlessness, and guilt when exposed to media coverage of climate change, leading to a tendency to disregard the issue. In response to these challenges, media strategies have emerged, including constructive and positive journalism or entertainment-education. What influence do these types of reporting have on media users? How do they function in the established logics of the media organizations themselves and how does the communication between the actors - of scientific knowledge and media narratives - take place? I pursue these questions in my projects.

Ethics of Care in Technology

I am deeply interested in exploring the ethical implications of environmental and sustainability technologies, particularly focusing on concepts of care within society. Through qualitative research, I seek to understand the conditions that give rise to conflicts, resistance, and protest surrounding these technologies. I am particularly curious about how diverse actors can meaningfully participate in the development and deployment of such technologies, and how we can effectively assess their potential consequences for both individuals and the environment.

Science Activism