Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf sees itself as a “citizens’ university“.
This expresses its claim to want to promote a special exchange between science and society in Düsseldorf.
This is achieved through public events, discussion forums and other formats that enable interaction between academics and citizens.
As a founding member of the Wissensregion Düsseldorf, HHU focuses on two areas: dialog with citizens as part of the Citizens’ University and exchange with other knowledge institutions, companies and the city of Düsseldorf as part of the Wissensregion Düsseldorf.
On the fringes of the first major event in the “Citizens’ University News” series, we spoke to Dr. Marcel Solar, Head of the Citizens’ University Office:
Dr. Solar, you started this summer as head of the Citizens’ University staff unit at HHU.
What is your goal, why is there a need for knowledge dialog with the public?
In our opinion, dialog between science and citizens is necessary for various reasons.
First and foremost, we see it as our social responsibility to share our knowledge and research findings and, in a certain sense, to “give back” them to the public.
As HHU, we therefore want to contribute to the current debates.
On the other hand, we can also learn for ourselves and take up impulses from society for research and teaching.
The aim is to make this two-way dialog a matter of course.
For interested citizens who perceive HHU even more strongly as a place and driver of debate in our city.
And for the members of HHU who are breaking new ground in sharing their knowledge and commitment to society.
We want to support them along the way.
[perfectpullquote align=”left” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Can you summarize in one sentence why Düsseldorf is the right place for a ‘citizens’ university’?
Because we could not imagine Düsseldorf as a cosmopolitan and modern metropolis on the Rhine without the diverse commitment of its citizens in associations, initiatives, politics and culture.[/perfectpullquote]
Are Düsseldorfers particularly interested in science?
And are there any favorites, topics or subject areas that are particularly in demand?
Yes, we certainly have a very open-minded environment here in Düsseldorf and the surrounding area when it comes to scientific and cultural topics.
As far as favorites are concerned, you can once again see that everyone is different.
The “tastes” range from medieval research to economic policy topics and the role of artificial intelligence in the challenges of the future.
It also always depends on how you present a topic and what kind of access you can create, for example via the event format.
If it’s interesting, people like to think outside the box and get involved in new topics.
Do you have a favorite target group?
You can’t say that, but in any case, our aim is to reach different target groups and get them interested in scientific topics and issues.
And you certainly have to look at which offers can be interesting for which target groups.
This may be different for a teenager, for example, than for me as a family man.
That’s why we want to offer as diverse a range as possible through the Citizens’ University program, for example, and look over time to see which formats and events can be used to reach different social groups separately.
In times of the Fridays for Future movement, however, it is certainly appealing to consider how we can build a bridge to young people in particular, who are already setting out on their own to get involved.
The first event in the new series ‘Bürgeruniversität aktuell’ took place on 26.11.2019.
The topic of Brexit was discussed.
What was your impression and what topics are on the agenda for the series in the future?
I think the event was a great success because we were able to discuss a very topical issue with academics from HHU as well as representatives from the field and, above all, the many interested people who attended.
This is precisely the idea we will be pursuing in the coming year: to take up topics that affect society in a timely manner and to create a place or format to enter into a well-founded dialog.
And the exciting thing is that we don’t yet know exactly what these topics will be in the coming year.
For example, there are local elections in NRW on the agenda, the 30th anniversary of reunification and in November 2020, the people of the USA will decide whether Donald Trump will be elected for a second term as US President.
So there is plenty of “material”, but there will also be surprise topics.
The only thing that is certain at the moment is that the next “Bürgeruniversität aktuell” event will take place on March 10, 2020 in the university building.
And that it’s worth coming along and joining in the discussion.
How can interested citizens, but also partner institutions in the Wissensregion Düsseldorf such as the IHK or the City of Düsseldorf, get involved with you?
First of all, citizens are cordially invited to take part in events from the Citizens’ University program, which has been published regularly since the 2019/2020 winter semester.
For further activities and ideas, the Citizens’ University staff unit will be happy to act as a point of contact to explore together how to take up this commitment.
The same naturally also applies to the partner institutions from the knowledge region.
It would be exciting to think together about events or other offers with which a dialog on scientific topics can be expanded.
Or how, for example, new perspectives on and in the city of Düsseldorf can be opened up for students.
The objectives of the knowledge region certainly coincide with some of the concerns associated with the idea of the citizens’ university.
It can be said that the conversation has already started in many places.
Will there be completely new formats of “citizen science” in the future that we can’t even imagine today in traditional research and teaching?
What kind of desired action or desired format would you realize if you had unlimited possibilities / funds for the Citizens’ University?
Yes, HHU has indeed been funding research projects with citizen participation since this year, and the selection process for the first funding round was completed just a few weeks ago.
A total of three research projects from the fields of medicine, social sciences and linguistics are now being funded with over €170,000; in all projects, citizens are conducting research together with HHU academics.
In the future, it would certainly be exciting to delve even deeper into the city with the Citizens’ University, i.e. to make offers directly on site in Düsseldorf’s neighborhoods.
It will be interesting to see where the journey takes us.
And finally: What should citizens immediately think of when they are asked about the Citizens’ University?
As we want to create diverse approaches to science and the idea of the Citizens’ University, I don’t have a single idea or image in mind that we want to conjure up.
However, I think it would be nice in this day and age if as many people as possible were to seek an exchange with each other and talk together about the challenges that lie ahead.
And then keep in mind that the Citizens’ University in Düsseldorf offers a framework and a place for these discussions.
Thank you for the interview!
You can view the program of the Citizens’ University here. (Feature photo: Herff, Bonn)
