The highlight for me is that we have established a rapid framework for exploring the depths of uncertainty. Since , I am scientific Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on Conflict and Violence IKG at Bielefeld University, and I have rarely witnessed colleagues coming together so swiftly across disciplinary, methodological, and theoretical boundaries to engage in a compelling research topic.
Researchers also seem to be seeking a sense of security. Another significant highlight was my observation that new facets and layers of uncertainty continually emerge at the events we organize, revealing innovative modes of navigation.
Both artists address the experiences of individuals living in uncertaintyβthose affected by war, authoritarian regimes, and unjust power dynamics. Thanks to CeUS and the concepts surrounding the visualization of uncertainty, I gained a deeper understanding of the paintings and sculptures on display. For instance, Mona Hatoum creates large, robust-looking cages made of iron. By examining this art by exploring uncertainty, it becomes evident how fragile these works truly are and how unpredictable the violence that affects individuals can be, even though she does not depict people directly.
Interestingly, highlights themselves are a fascinating manifestation of uncertainty; they shine brightly precisely because we do not anticipate them. In conflict and violence research, we encounter many uncertainties and insecurities - fortunately, in German we have two words for what English-language research understands as "uncertainty".
We have researched uncertainties well because conflicts within and between societies go hand in hand with uncertainties. As part of our research into uncertainty, which is characterised more by uncertainty about facts and future developments, we have now drilled deeper, since we take uncertainty-research more seriously. For example, we used data from a representative population study in spring - known as the Mitte Study - to analyse the influence of crisis uncertainty and crisis insecurity on attitudes towards democracy.
