A new research project explores the places where minorities can shape their cultural and religious lives with dignity and self-determination. © RUB, Marquard

UNIC Where people feel dignity

A new Engaged Research project of the European university alliance UNIC is investigating the transformation of dignified spaces for cultural and religious minorities.

Social, spatial, and infrastructural conditions influence whether people can experience a dignified life. The new project "Dignified Spaces in Post-Industrial Cities" (DiSCO) investigates the change of so-called dignified spaces for cultural and religious minorities and marginalised groups. As an Engaged Research project, cities as well as citizens are actively involved in the research. Dr. Martin Radermacher from the “Centrum für Religionswissenschaftliche Studien” (Centre for theological Studies, CERES) at Ruhr University Bochum coordinates the project together with researchers from UNIC partner universities in Turkey, the Netherlands and Ireland.

Focus on spaces for minorities

The project looks at buildings and infrastructural spaces of selected religious and cultural minorities in the four post-industrial cities of Bochum, Rotterdam, Cork and Istanbul. The research questions are at the intersection of migration, space, representation and visibility. Urban partners and cultural and religious communities are interviewed about their experiences and needs. They often face the challenge of finding suitable spaces for their events. The urban spatial situation of many municipalities and communities is often also reflected in this endeavour.

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Continuation of a successful cooperation

The cooperation between the four partners of the European University of Post-Industrial Cities (UNIC) alliance began with a Virtual Exchange course in the winter semester of 2021/22. Since then, the topic has been further developed into a research project. Additionally, the team has gained experience in challenge-based learning through the regularly held UNIC CityLabs.

Science for and with society

Ruhr University Bochum is funding "Dignified Spaces in Post-Industrial Cities" as one of four projects within the UNIC4ER Seed Fund Initiative. The aim was to support collaborative research initiatives that place their methodological focus on Engaged Research and that are aiming for a scientific publication or the submission of a third-party funding proposal. Engaged Research is a scientific method of investigation that focuses on the impact-oriented, systematic creation of knowledge for and with society. Other funded projects are being implemented in the Faculty of Sport Sciences and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Ruhr University.

The allocation of funding from the UNIC4ER Seed Funding Initiative has been completed at Ruhr University. Nevertheless, the UNIC team continues to advise interested parties on all questions regarding funding opportunities for UNIC collaborations in teaching and research.

What is UNIC?

UNIC is an international consortium of ten European universities that have jointly committed themselves to promoting student mobility and establishing a Europe-wide campus.

In addition to Ruhr University Bochum, other UNIC members include the universities of Bilbao, Cork, Istanbul, Liège, Łódź, Malmö, Oulu, Rotterdam and Zagreb. UNIC is funded by the European Commission as part of a flagship initiative of the European Strategy for Universities.

Published

Thursday
06 July 2023
1:03 pm

By

Jessica Siegel

Translated by

Natalja Peiseler

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