Interdisciplinarity is a top priority
Some projects at the Institute for Franconian Regional History in Thurnau show the strong interdisciplinary orientation of the University of Bayreuth.
The University of Bayreuth is characterised by interdisciplinary cooperation. The Institute of Franconian Regional History (IFLG) is a prime example of this. And even more: not only do the individual professorships work closely together here, the cooperation with the University of Bamberg is also exceptional.
Research College Franconia
"The Franconian Research College in particular is a prime example of interdisciplinarity," says Prof. Dr. Martin Ott, Chair of Franconian Regional History. "Scholars from a wide range of disciplines sit together here. The different perspectives enrich everyone." In addition to the expected historians from all areas of the historical sciences, the departments of archaeology, musical theatre and economics are also represented.
Marcus Mühlnikel, senior academic councillor at the IFLG, also appreciates the work in the Research College. "It is simply a huge network. It helps during the research work, but also afterwards. I also find it totally interesting to see how the different qualification levels show new perspectives, because there are students who are just working on their Bachelor's thesis as well as those who are writing their Master's thesis, who are doing their doctorate and even their habilitation. This overlapping collaboration helps everyone involved."
In terms of content, of course, the researchers at the Forschungskolleg Franken are still connected. The focus is on different forms and narratives of structural change in the historical landscapes of Franconia - a region characterised to a particular degree by diversity and dynamism, whether in economic, political or cultural terms. The actor-centred view is intended to apply both to the fundamental processes of change themselves and to the spatial constructions immanent to them.
Informatics and History
But the staff at the IFLG also cooperate with other members of the university family at the University of Bayreuth beyond the Research College Franconia. For example, the XR Tutor project is a collaboration with computer science. "Here, we are digitally reappraising what the furnishings of the Red Room of the Kemenate used to look like," explains Mühlnikel. In concrete terms, this means that the historians are working out from historical pictures and text sources where each piece of furniture stood, where the carpets hung or what colour the wood was. The computer scientists in Prof. Dr. Michael Guthe's team continue to work with these results and model the 3D environment.
Finally, XR glasses can then be put on, with which one can move around in digital space and immerse oneself in a time long gone. Bavarian Science Minister Markus Blume also visited the digital Rothe Zimmer during his visit in April.
Projects for the future
Further interdisciplinary projects are already planned for the future. "We just submitted an application in August. If it goes through, we will work together with the geomorphologist on an interdisciplinary basis," says Marcus Mühlnikel. What exactly will it be about? That remains a secret (for now).