Julia-Lena Reinermann, Dr.- phil.
Foto: julia-lena reinermann
E-Mail: julia.reinermann
Telefon: +49 2331 987-4816
Sprechzeiten: n.V.
Raum: C.0013
Academic Profile
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.
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
Can science be political? This question has been debated since the rise of the social sciences, with Max Weber's foundational work in sociology over a century ago sparking early discussions. The controversy has recently resurged with the emergence of groups like Scientists4Future and Scientist Rebellion. Should science take a political stance in the face of global crises such as climate change? Man-made climate change and its far-reaching consequences are undeniable. But how far can this political stance go? My experiences during my studies—including stays in Bolivia, Argentina, and New York—and my participation in the 2006 climate conference in Montreal significantly shaped my interest in scientific activism. Upon returning to Germany, I became involved in various local sustainability and environmental groups. These organizations shared a common goal: raising awareness of socio-ecological cultures and experimenting with sustainable practices. This led me to explore approaches to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, as well as the emerging field of transformative research in Germany. How do these forms of research work? What challenges do they bring to academic work, but also what opportunities? Part of my research interest is to deal with this tension by asking these questions, to track it down, to pursue it and to strive for answers.
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