Center for Uncertainty Studies Blog

Modeling Uncertainty: Impressions from the Conference "Building Models of Change"

2025-03-21T15:58:00+01:00

Tina Comes (TU Delft) showed examples from her research on the spread of the Covid virus in the Netherlands. © Adrian Strothotte / Bielefeld University.

From March 12–14, 2025, the conference "Building Models of Change: Bridging Sciences and Humanities" took place at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF) in Bielefeld. The event brought together researchers from diverse disciplines to explore how different fields conceptualize and model change. A key focus of the conference was the role of uncertainty in these modeling efforts.

Section 3, titled Uncertainty in Modeling and curated by the CeUS Founding Directors Silke Schwandt and Herbert Dawid, provided a dedicated space to examine how different disciplines engage with uncertainty. Presentations explored uncertainty in historical knowledge production, clinical psychology, economic decision-making, and resilience modeling. The discussions revealed both the challenges and opportunities of incorporating uncertainty into models across various domains.

Historiographical Uncertainty and Computational Historical Models

In his presentation, Prof. Dr. Michael Piotrowski (University of Lausanne) emphasized that all human knowledge is uncertain, inexact, and partial (Russell, 1948). His talk focused not on historical uncertainty per se, but on historiographical uncertainty—the challenges historians face in reconstructing the past. Piotrowski compared the approach of the historian to that of a detective, constructing causal models and narratives based on fragmented evidence. Piotrowski noted that even if historians had access to all possible sources, uncertainty would persist due to the interpretative nature of historical writing. Digital humanities methods, including statistical models, digital reconstructions, and TEI-based critical editions, offer new tools to address these uncertainties, yet they cannot eliminate them. He underscored the limitations of computational modeling in the humanities, arguing that while digital humanities can employ models, their application is not as straightforward as in the natural sciences.

The discussion touched on the epistemological implications of modeling in history. Participants debated how models can represent causal sequences, the role of corpora as models, and whether historians should attempt counterfactual modeling. The conversation also explored the relationship between uncertainty and digital tools, questioning how different types of uncertainty—such as selection bias in sources—should be accounted for in "computational history" as Piotrowski liked to call it.

Individual Responses to Uncertainty and Broader Change Processes

Moving from historiography to psychology, Prof. Dr. Mark Freeston (Newcastle University) examined how insights from clinical psychology can inform broader understandings of uncertainty. His work on Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU) has demonstrated how people’s responses to uncertainty shape their cognitive and emotional processes. Originally developed in the context of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Freeston expanded the concept to explore decision-making, risk perception, and even political behavior. Freeston emphasized that uncertainty is often the absence of safety, a distinction that has implications beyond clinical settings. His studies suggest that fostering tolerance of uncertainty can enhance resilience and adaptability. He illustrated how structured interventions—such as transdiagnostic group therapy—can help individuals engage more constructively with uncertainty. A key takeaway from his talk was the societal relevance of these insights. Uncertainty is a driving force in public discourse, from pandemic responses to political polarization. Freeston argued that owning uncertainty—rather than attempting to eliminate it—can build trust and improve decision-making.

This perspective sparked a lively discussion on the communication of uncertainty in science, politics, and education. Participants also reflected on cultural differences in how uncertainty is perceived and addressed, noting that e.g. the Dutch and German languages lack distinct words for the difference of uncertainty and insecurity.

Modeling Decision-Making Under Uncertainty

Prof. Dr. Jean-Marc Tallon (Paris School of Economics) provided an economist’s perspective on uncertainty, presenting models of decision-making under uncertainty. His talk built on classic decision theories, such as Bayesian probability models and game theory, to examine how individuals and institutions make choices under uncertainty. A central question was whether all uncertainties should be treated probabilistically or if alternative approaches are needed. Tallon discussed smooth ambiguity preferences, a model that accounts for uncertainty aversion, and explored its applications in economics—ranging from financial markets to climate policy. He also addressed the challenge of distinguishing between uncertainty and risk, noting that traditional economic models often assume that uncertainty will diminish as more information becomes available. However, real-world scenarios frequently involve persistent uncertainty that resists quantification.

During the discussion, participants debated the applicability of economic models to social and historical phenomena. Questions arose about how well models derived from laboratory settings translate to real-world environments and whether alternative modeling strategies—such as reinforcement learning—could better capture decision-making dynamics.

Temporal Dynamics of Resilience Modeling

The final talk in Section 3 (and of the conference in general) was given by Prof. Dr. Tina Comes (TU Delft), who examined how models can support decision-making in crisis situations. She emphasized that uncertainty is not merely a challenge to be mitigated but a fundamental feature of complex systems. Her research on resilience modeling integrates data-driven and expert-based approaches to navigate uncertainty in disaster response, urban planning, and climate adaptation. Comes highlighted the difficulties of balancing short-term urgency with long-term strategic planning. Using examples from crisis management in the Philippines, climate resilience in the Netherlands, and urban development in Helsinki, she demonstrated how past decisions shape present vulnerabilities. She warned that models must be used carefully, as over-reliance on predictive tools can create a false sense of certainty.

The discussion explored the role of historical data in resilience modeling, the feasibility of cross-cultural comparisons, and strategies for evaluating models over long time horizons. Participants also considered the ethical implications of decision-support models, particularly in contexts where uncertainty intersects with political and economic power structures.

Modeling Uncertainty Across Disciplines

The presentations in Section 3 illustrated the diverse ways in which uncertainty is conceptualized and modeled across disciplines. Across all fields, participants acknowledged that uncertainty is not just a technical problem but an epistemological and practical one. Effective modeling requires an awareness of the assumptions embedded in models, the limits of prediction, and the broader social contexts in which uncertainty operates. By bringing together scholars from different disciplines, the conference facilitated a productive exchange on how uncertainty can be studied, communicated, and incorporated into models. The discussions underscored the need for continued interdisciplinary dialogue to refine our approaches to uncertainty.

For more insights and upcoming events, stay tuned to the CeUS Blog.

"Uncertainty Calls for Creativity": Insights from the Fourth CeUS Research Afternoon

2025-02-11T09:20:40+01:00

On January 27, 2025, the fourth CeUS Uncertainty Research Afternoon brought together scholars from the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1646 "Linguistic Creativity in Communication" (LINCC) and the Center for Uncertainty Studies (CeUS) to explore the intersections of creativity and uncertainty. The event fostered an engaging exchange, highlighting both conceptual commonalities and distinct disciplinary perspectives. While CRC 1646 primarily examines linguistic creativity as a structured yet inherently uncertain process, CeUS contributions emphasize uncertainty as a central component of decision-making, social interaction, and knowledge production.

Linguistic Creativity and Uncertainty: Insights from CRC 1646

The contributions from CRC 1646 examined linguistic creativity as a dynamic process shaped by social, cognitive, and communicative constraints. Ralf Vogel introduced the overarching framework, defining creativity as an activity carried out "by people for people", operating across multiple levels—from individual cognition to interactive negotiation and linguistic communities. It is of great importance, he noted, to distinguish creativity from linguistic errors. He and his colleagues are especially interested in cases, where unconventional language use leads to communicative success.

Focusing on individual cognitive differences, Joana Cholin further explored how speakers navigate uncertainty in creative language use and how the concept of the creative speaker could be modeled. She discussed variations in lexical retrieval and the role of individual constraints, illustrating her argument with novel word formations such as Wiesenrasierer instead of Rasenmäher. She argued that linguistic creativity inherently increases uncertainty, prompting speakers to anticipate and adjust their expressions dynamically.

Anna Kutscher and Patricia Linnemann examined unconventional verb formations (quietered, loudered), and other creative expressions, and their communicative effectiveness. They contrasted language as a structured system with its flexible use in communication, particularly in contexts where uncertainty plays a pivotal role — such as doctor-patient interactions with young patients, where symptoms are difficult to articulate.

"The Dark Side of Language" (which is also the title of a newly released book) was addressed by Christian Nimtz, who examined slur terms and their semantic and pragmatic functions. As a philosopher recently collaborating with CRC 1646, he investigates how slurs retain their impact even when not directly targeted at individuals, emphasizing the creative codification involved in their formation. He posed the question: How do slur terms function, and what linguistic resources do speakers draw upon when they create them spontaneously? Sina Zarrieß extended this discussion to the challenges of hate speech detection, highlighting how linguistic creativity—through euphemisms and dog whistles—introduces significant uncertainty into computational models.

Finally, Tanja Ackermann explored collective linguistic creativity, focusing on language variation and change. She illustrated how linguistic uncertainty fuels metalinguistic discourse — evident in online discussions about grammatical structures such as wegen dem vs. wegen des. Her research aims to model language as a complex adaptive system, where negotiation within groups contributes to broader linguistic shifts. Additionally, she offered optimistic insights into linguistic change (the bright side of language), suggesting that the everyday language of young Germans may not necessarily be becoming more abrasive; instead, expressions such as vielleicht could increasingly function as polite markers akin to bitte.

Navigating Uncertainty: Insights from CeUS

The contributions from CeUS explored how uncertainty shapes social behavior, decision-making, and knowledge production. Dirk Kohlweyer examined how negative word-of-mouth influences consumer choices, building on agent-based modeling approaches. His and his colleagues' study investigated how contradictory information affects uncertainty in product evaluations, revealing that the CoSiTA approach (see upcoming CeUS Working Paper), developed by Christian Stummer and others, offers a high degree of consistency with real-world behavior and thus provides a more precise representation of uncertainty.

Elif Sandal-Önal focused on the conceptualization of uncertainty in social and political contexts. She distinguished between individual, collective, and contextual uncertainties, presenting empirical findings from studies on the Ukraine war and public support for military interventions. Additionally, she introduced a new diary study examining uncertainty in the U.S. elections, analyzing how uncertainty correlates with emotional responses over time. The data analysis is currently ongoing, with findings to be presented later this year.

Shifting the focus to knowledge production, Silke Schwandt explored visualization as a tool for productive uncertainty. She argued that data visualizations are not neutral representations but rather instruments that challenge established interpretations and provoke new insights. Drawing on examples from legal history, she demonstrated how interactive visualizations allow researchers to detect patterns that might otherwise remain unnoticed, thereby transforming uncertainty into a catalyst for discovery.

Common Ground: Creativity as a Response to Uncertainty

The concluding discussion centered on the shared conceptual space between creativity and uncertainty. Participants debated whether creativity should be understood as a mode of navigating uncertainty and how its effects on uncertainty could be modeled and measured. Joana Cholin aptly summarized this dynamic: "Uncertainty calls for creativity."

While CRC 1646 examines creativity as an explicitly linguistic phenomenon, CeUS contributions broadened the perspective, considering creativity as an adaptive strategy for managing uncertainty. As Ralf Vogel noted, navigating uncertainty inherently requires both conventionality and innovation. This cross-disciplinary dialogue underscored the potential for future collaborative efforts, reinforcing the importance of exploring creativity and uncertainty as interdependent concepts. A key takeaway from the discussion was the role of general communicative competence and how it is leveraged by agents to navigate uncertainty. This remains a compelling focal point for future interdisciplinary research.

The event concluded with an outlook on upcoming Uncertainty Research Afternoons, reaffirming the commitment to fostering interdisciplinary exchange and further exploring the intersections of creativity and uncertainty. Stay tuned for more here on the CeUS Blog.

Highlights from the Third CeUS Uncertainty Research Afternoon

2024-11-13T08:53:39+01:00

On November 12, 2024, the Center for Uncertainty Studies (CeUS) hosted its third Research Afternoon, gathering a diverse range of speakers and discussions on how uncertainty shapes various fields, from corporate compliance and white-collar crime to stroke recovery and complex planning problems.

The Role of Uncertainty in White-Collar Crime and Corporate Compliance - Michael Lindemann

Michael Lindemann opened with a deep dive into the challenges of prosecuting white-collar crime in Germany, spotlighting the “HSH Nordbank” case (2013-2019). In this case, the trial was settled with a payout. Plea agreements like this one are very common in white-collar cases in Germany. Lindemann pointed out the risky nature of business transactions as well as the necessity for law to provide guidelines such as those he presented in his talk. He also elaborated on how hindsight bias can influence jurisdiction.

The talk raised further questions about the “Business Judgment Rule,” typically used in corporate decision-making, and whether a similar concept could be applied in legal settings to accommodate the uncertainties compliance officers face. In the discussion, the audience reflected on the ambiguities of “right” decisions and the challenges of the German federal law system.

Navigating Uncertainty After Cerebral Damage - Katja Werheid

Katja Werheid’s presentation shifted focus to the health sector, where uncertainty is often a part of daily reality, especially in cases of brain injuries. Discussing the neurological impacts of strokes and the severe uncertainty patients face during recovery, Werheid highlighted both the immediate medical response to strokes and the prolonged psychological challenges that often follow. Notably, post-stroke depression (PSD) affects approximately 33% of survivors, further complicating the recovery journey.

Werheid introduced Merle H. Mishel’s “Uncertainty in Illness Theory.” She also noted that for many stroke survivors, post-traumatic growth and therapies focused on acceptance and commitment can help patients turn uncertainty into an opportunity for self-discovery. The discussion emphasized how patients can undertake a journey from acknowledging health constraints to eventually accepting them. While German stroke units seem to be quite well equipped, long-term care still needs improvement.

Michael Römer: Accounting for uncertainty in complex planning and decision-making problems

The last talk of the afternoon covered uncertainty in planning and decision-making problems. Michael Römer introduced the concept of the “Flaw of Averages” (Sam L. Savage) and how deterministic models often fail to include the uncertainty that complex decisions entail. By using Monte Carlo simulation, stochastic models, and machine learning in his approach, Römer illustrated how accounting for uncertainty can improve decisions.

Römer's examples, including the familiar “Newsvendor Problem” as well as applications at Bethel (healthcare) and airline scheduling, highlighted how uncertainty can be incorporated directly into decision models, providing more robust solutions than solely deterministic methods. Römer’s research regarding uncertainty also explores the role and value of flexibility in complex planning situations like personnel scheduling. In the discussion, further challenges such as the modeling of competition and working without historical data, e.g., relying on expert predictions, were addressed.

Conclusion

The Third Uncertainty Research Afternoon provided compelling insights into how uncertainty influences decision-making and behavior across fields. Lindemann, Werheid, and Römer each demonstrated how incorporating an understanding of uncertainty can foster innovative approaches—whether in law, healthcare, or operational planning.

The discussion continues – for example at the Uncertainty Lunches on November 13 and January 15, 12:30 at Univarza. Stay tuned for upcoming research events and visit the CeUS website for more news and details.

Escaping the Risk Paradigm: Ian Scoones on Navigating Uncertainty in a Turbulent World

2024-10-21T09:24:15+02:00

On October 8th, the ninth Uncertainty Talk took place at ZiF. CeUS was pleased to welcome Ian Scoones, Professorial Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. From 2018 to 2023, Scoones served as the principal investigator of the ERC Advanced Grant project, PASTRES (Pastoralism, Uncertainty, and Resilience: Lessons from the Margins), which he also references in his newly published book at ZiF.

"Navigating Uncertainty: Radical Rethinking for a Turbulent World" critiques risk-based approaches to uncertainty. Emphasizing the significance of the topic, Scoones invoked the works of scholars like Nowotny and Latour while proposing a new paradigm for addressing the challenges of uncertainty. His research on pastoral livestock keepers across various countries (e.g., Zimbabwe, the UK, the USA, India, and Southern Africa) serves as a foundation for his argument to "open up towards uncertainty."

Throughout his talk, Scoones explained why a shift is urgently needed: the 2008 financial crash, the pandemic, natural disasters, and the increasing threat of climate change have demonstrated that traditional models and risk-based strategies are insufficient for navigating uncertainty. He argued that these strategies often create a disconnect between predictions and day-to-day experiences. For example, frontline health workers and farmers worldwide frequently rely on local strategies. Scoones advocates for learning from these practices, promoting decentralization, and fostering solidarity and care, rather than imposing top-down expert solutions. The challenges mentioned not only framed his talk but also form the basis of his book.

Scoones also referenced feminist author Rebecca Solnit, highlighting the idea of finding a "sense of possibility inside uncertainty" as a core aspect of his proposed paradigm. While he did not offer specific rules or practices, he aimed to raise awareness of the social embeddedness of change and the inevitability of uncertainty. He also provided further examples, ranging from ancient religious and cultural perspectives (e.g., in Hinduism) to Western philosophical ideas.

The talk ended with a vibrant discussion. Audience members raised questions about modeling, power structures, and how to prevent ignorance in the new framework which Ian Scoones presented. He reinforced the idea that co-construction, trust-building, and a focus on politics of care are key to addressing these issues.

As the CeUS continues its series of Uncertainty Talks, Ian Scoones’ ideas will undoubtedly serve as a touchstone for further discussions on how think about navigating uncertainty in the face of today’s global challenges. The talk available to stream on the CeUS YouTube channel. Stay tuned for more insights from future CeUS Events and ongoing research.

Workshop: GOR Working Group "Simulation and Optimisation of Complex Systems"

2024-10-09T13:41:18+02:00

On 7th and 8th November 2024, the GOR Working Group "Simulation and Optimisation of Complex Systems," which is one of 16 working groups within GOR (Gesellschaft für Operations Research), will convene for its annual workshop at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF) in Bielefeld.

Researchers who investigate the behaviour of complex systems in various research groups in German-speaking countries, using simulations or optimisation methods, will discuss new approaches, tools, and languages. Dealing with uncertainty and achieving robust solutions in the analysis and modeling of complex systems will be a central topic of the event.

In addition to CeUS members Christian Stummer, Dirk Kohlweyer, and CeUS founding director Herbert Dawid, the event will feature researchers from various institutions such as FernUniversität Hagen, University of Hohenheim, TU Hamburg, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig, and the University of Southern Denmark.

We at CeUS are excited to co-host the meeting together with iTIME (Institute for Technological Innovation, Market Development, and Entrepreneurship). For further information about the workshop at ZiF and a detailed program, please visit the GOR working group's event page. The team will gladly answer your questions at workshop_komplexe-systeme@uni-bielefeld.de.

CeUS Supports International Workshop "Containerisation and Dock Labour: Work, Security, and Intermodal Transport in an Uncertain Setting"

2024-08-30T10:18:50+02:00

In 2024, over 900 million containers will be loaded at ports worldwide. The introduction of standardised transport containers in the 1960s triggered a significant surge in global trade and freight transport. While the economic impact of this so-called container revolution has been widely discussed, less attention has been given to the changes it brought for dock workers. The international workshop "Containerisation and Dock Labour: Work, Security, and Intermodal Transport in an Uncertain Setting" will focus on these workers and will be held from 12 to 14 September at Bielefeld University's Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF).

Led by Prof. Dr. Klaus Weinhauer, researchers from six countries, specializing in history, anthropology, and economics, will analyse the transformation of port work in North America, Europe, and Asia. The workshop will center on two key questions: How did the container revolution transform port work? And how did dock workers respond? Weinhauer summarises in the press statement: "We are interested in whether dockworkers are now absorbed into the global workforce of predominantly low-skilled logistics workers, or whether a distinct working culture still exists among them. (...) We also aim to explore a research approach that considers the uncertainties accompanying these changes not only as threats but as opportunities for innovation and adaptation. How do local actions influence global processes?" These questions are central not only to the workshop but also to the broader mission of the Center for Uncertainty Studies, which is pleased to support this event.

The workshop will be conducted in English and held at the ZiF in Bielefeld. The detailed program and additional information are available on the ZiF website. For inquiries, please contact the ZiF Conference Office at zif-conference-office@uni-bielefeld.de.

Maida Kosatica about "Wounds that Don't Heal Easily: Profiling the Language of Uncertainty"

2024-07-15T12:30:08+02:00

© Maida Kosatica.

The second Uncertainty Talk of this semester took place on July 8th and featured Maida Kosatica, Junior Professor of Urban Semiotics and Semantics at Duisburg-Essen University. Her talk, titled "Wounds that Don't Heal Easily: Profiling the Language of Uncertainty", addressed trauma and uncertainty in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the widespread diaspora that formed during and after the war from 1992 to 1995 in various European countries. Kosatica defines uncertainty as a lack of stability and emphasizes the growing importance of researching uncertainty within contemporary society, which faces environmental instability and other global threats.

In her talk, Kosatica explored how second-generation diaspora members in Switzerland reconstruct uncertainties from the past related to the war and how they discuss the war in general. She analyzes graffiti and materials from interviews with diaspora members to uncover war-legacy practices and trauma within the second generation. Under the label "Remembering the Feeling," Kosatica reconstructs how the experiences of the parents shape the identity of their children. Silence, PTSD, depression, and unresolved traumas are often present. The researcher also highlights the importance of practices that perpetuate the "us vs. them" differentiation, which continues to fuel hate and violence in Bosnia-Herzegovina and abroad. Enemies are constructed and named through narratives of encounters and the avoidance of such.

Kosatica concludes that the second generation is not liberated from uncertainty, resentment, fear, and trauma but remains part of the authentic war discourse.

The ensuing discussion among attendees from various fields and disciplines began with questions about possible perspectives for peace and mutual understanding in the ongoing conflict. Kosatica pointed out the significant impact of particularized truths regarding events of the war and genocide 30 years ago. Bosniaks, Bosnian Croats, and Bosnian Serbs tend to have conflicting understandings of these events, which are also reflected in movies, the reception of international discourses, and attitudes toward NGOs working to overcome lines of conflict. In the discussion about what other societies can do when faced with conflicts and the resulting uncertainties, as seen in the Bosnian diaspora, Kosatica emphasizes the importance of transparent scholarly work while acknowledging that critical questions remain: Should we remember violence or move on and leave it behind?

Join the discussion at the next CeUS Uncertainty Talk. On October 8th, we will welcome Ian Scoones at the ZiF. More information will follow shortly on the CeUS website.

Interdisciplinary Discussion at the second CeUS Uncertainty Research Afternoon

2024-06-27T09:39:44+02:00

An illustration showing how LLMs deal with presuppositions, used in the talk by Sina Zarrieß.

On June 17, 2024, the second CeUS Uncertainty Research Afternoon took place at Bielefeld University. The event featured talks by computational linguist Sina Zarrieß, bioinformatician Martin Lewinski, and mathematical economist Maren Diane Schmeck.

Sina Zarrieß discussed uncertainty in large language models (LLMs, e.g., ChatGPT) in three linguistic dimensions: semantics, pragmatics, and interaction. She demonstrated that in each dimension, the analyzed LLMs lack the ability to make their own uncertainties transparent, even in examples classified as explainable AI which add certain explanations to their utterances. Consequently, the concept of uncertainty is not present in the analyzed transformer language models. The group discussion connected these limitations with other issues concerning LLMs and AI in general.

In the next talk, “It Takes Two to Tango – RNA and Protein Uncertainties from the Wet Lab to Bioinformatics,” Martin Lewinski continued the interdisciplinary discussion, combining biology and informatics. He and his colleagues grow and analyze thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), a plant with a well-annotated and small genome suitable as a model for crop plants, to find out more about RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Using the iCLIP method, biological, technical, and bioinformatic uncertainties arise in the research process. Lewinski's role, primarily in the bioinformatics realm, involves identifying and minimizing these uncertainties. The debate raised further questions: what can't we capture when "fishing for uncertainties"?

The final presentation of the afternoon was by mathematical economist Maren Diane Schmeck, who discussed her research, “On Uncertainty in Time Evolution” Her research starts from the premise that calendar time might not be the appropriate measure of time in financial markets. Schmeck demonstrates that mathematical models incorporating changes in the clock-speed can account for several empirical stylized facts on financial markets, while still relying on standard Brownian motions to capture stochastic influences on the market. These models are used to estimate market activity, for example, in the electricity market, in ‘normal’ times and in times of crisis, and thereby can provide valuable insights into trading behavior under uncertainty.

The Uncertainty Research Afternoon once again proved to be a challenging yet highly inspirational interdisciplinary event with innovative research and lively debate. Join the conversation at our next Uncertainty Talk with Maida Kosatica (Duisburg-Essen) on July 8. More information can be found on the CeUS website.

Discussing "The Ambivalence of Humanistic Knowledge Production in Times of Digital Upheaval" with Tessa Gengnagel

2024-06-17T08:37:39+02:00

© Tessa Gengnagel / CCeH

In past Uncertainty Talks, Miriam Posner (UCLA) talked about data and uncertainty in the humanities, and David Tuckett (London) presented ambivalence as a way forward in decision-making theories. In her Uncertainty Talk on "The Ambivalence of Humanistic Knowledge Production in Times of Digital Upheaval," Tessa Gengnagel draws strong connections to these previous talks and expands questions to her own field of research, which revolves around the theory of digital humanities and digital editions. More than once, digital editions serve as examples to illustrate challenges in digital humanities dealing with uncertainty. The researcher, who works in the management of the influential Cologne Center for eHumanities (CCeH), dives deep into the controversies surrounding digital humanities as a field, reaching far back to the late 1950s, when the discussions about "two cultures" (C. P. Snow) started and humanities computing (with researchers like Roberto Busa) first emerged. Questions of contradictions within the field and the lack of a foundational theory lead Gengnagel to explore topics of knowledge production, reproduction, representation, and retrieval.

She therefore references newer approaches like those of Bernard Dionysius Geoghegan: "This means present struggles over cultural analytics cannot be addressed in terms of two cultures or simplified oppositions between data and theory. Rather, the problem of cultural theory is immanent to digital humanities; conversely, digitization and communication theory structure cultural theory and its notion of signifying systems." (Code: From Information Theory to French Theory (2023), p. 175)

Gengnagel ends her Uncertainty Talk by stating the role digital humanities might have to play in the trust economy of our times. At the forefront, she sees efforts to order complexity while reflecting on the limited ability of representation: we can acknowledge that there always will be blind spots and uncertainty will remain. The lively discussion between the speaker, CeUS members, and external guests following the talk brought up further challenges, as well as questions about how the digital humanities can teach society (within certain limits) about modeling, standardization, and transparency.

The conversation continues with the next Uncertainty Talk on July 8th featuring Maida Kosatica (Duisburg-Essen) and "Wounds that don’t heal easily: Profiling the Language of Uncertainty." More information can be found on the CeUS website.

Violence, Uncertainty and Empathy - Andreas Zick at Kunsthalle Bielefeld

2024-06-11T08:39:15+02:00

by Adrian Strothotte

The exhibition "Taking a stand. Käthe Kollwitz, Mona Hatoum" brings together two artists - "one historical and one contemporary – whose art serves as a memorial against suffering and oppression and stands for greater humanity.“ (Kunsthalle Bielefeld)

The two fully booked tours through the exhibition, which can be seen at Kunsthalle Bielefeld until June 16, provided valuable impulses between art and science. On his way through the museum, Andreas Zick emphasizes the uncertainty that drives people today, but which is particularly addressed in the works of Kollwitz and Hatoum. The complexity in dealing with the collective phenomenon is illustrated by the conflict and violence researcher using works such as Hatoum's Remains of the Day, which shows an ensemble of burned seats with a table that was created for an exhibition in Hiroshima in 2017, or Kollwitz' works from the cycle "A Weavers' Revolt". The uneasy mood evoked here is part of Hatoum's program: The focus lies on social inequality, defiance and war. The two artists are linked by their experiences of violence - in the world war on the one hand and the Lebanese civil war on the other.

Andreas Zick draws connections between the drawings and installations and events of the recent past: New Year's Eve in Cologne, the situation in Gaza and the current, new isolation of Jews in Germany. His particular perspective also comes to the fore in various conceptual approaches. Martha C. Nussbaum's idea of political emotions or Julia Kristeva's concept of an abject between subject and object, whose state is beyond meaning and realized in the form of radical exclusion, meet the visual power of the exhibited artists.

The director of the IKG concludes his tour in front of a work by Hatoum that shows the destruction in Beirut in the 1970s (Bourj A, Bourj II, Bourj III (2011)). The tour closes with a view beyond the exhibits to the sunny Kunsthallenpark with the fairground rides of the Leineweber market - it is precisely this contrast which opens up new perspectives.

"Taking a stand. Käthe Kollwitz, Mona Hatoum". Until June 6th 2024 at Kunsthalle Bielefeld.

Join the conversation - for example at the next Uncertainty Talk with Maida Kosatica on July 8th at Bielefeld University. You can find more information about the Center for Uncertainty Studies and its events on the CeUS website.

Gewalt, Unsicherheit, Empathie – Andreas Zick in der Bielefelder Kunsthalle

2024-06-05T09:13:05+02:00

von Adrian Strothotte

In der Ausstellung "Stellung beziehen. Käthe Kollwitz, Mona Hatoum" begegnen sich zwei Künstlerinnen – "eine historische und eine zeitgenössische Position –, die mit ihrer Kunst ein Mahnmal gegen Leid und Unterdrückung setzen und für mehr Menschlichkeit eintreten." (Kunsthalle Bielefeld)

Die zwei ausgebuchten Rundgänge durch die Ausstellung, die noch bis zum 16. Juni in der Bielefelder Kunsthalle zu sehen ist, brachten wertvolle Impulse zwischen Kunst und Wissenschaft. Andreas Zick betont auf seinem Weg durch das Museum die Unsicherheit, die Menschen heute umtreibt, aber die besonders auch in den Werken von Kollwitz und Hatoum verarbeitet wird. Es geht um eine Unsicherheit, die aus Ungleichheit, Gewaltverhältnissen und Marginalisierungen stammt. Die Vielschichtigkeit im Umgang mit dem kollektiven Phänomen macht der Konflikt- und Gewaltforscher anhand von Arbeiten wie Hatoums Remains of the Day, das ein verkoltes Sitzensemble mit Tisch zeigt und für eine Ausstellung in Hiroshima im Jahr 2017 entstand, oder auch Kollwitz' Arbeiten aus dem Zyklus "Ein Weberaufstand" deutlich. Die unbehagliche Grundstimmung, die hier evoziert wird, ist bei Hatoum Programm: Im Fokus stehen soziale Ungleichheit, Missachtung und Krieg. Erfahrungen von Gewalt verbinden die beiden Künstlerinnen – im Weltkrieg auf der einen und im Libanesischen Bürgerkrieg auf der anderen Seite.

Andreas Zick zieht Verbindungen zwischen den Zeichnungen sowie Installationen und Ereignissen der jüngeren Vergangenheit: der Kölner Silvesternacht, der Situation in Gaza, der aktuellen, neuen Isolierung von Jüdinnen und Juden in Deutschland. Seine besondere Sichtweise kommt auch in verschiedenen konzeptionellen Zugängen zur Geltung. Martha C. Nussbaums Idee der politischen Emotionen oder Julia Kristevas Konzept eines abjects zwischen Subjekt und Objekt, dessen Zustand sich jenseits von Bedeutung und in Form radikaler Exklusion realisiert, treffen auf die Bildgewalt der ausgestellten Künstlerinnen.

Der Leiter des IKG beschließt seinen Rundgang vor einem Werk Hatoums, welches die Zerstörung im Beirut der 1970er Jahre vor Augen führt (Bourj A, Bourj II, Bourj III (2011)). Der Blick geht zum Abschluss über die Exponate hinaus auf den sonnigen Kunsthallenpark mit den Fahrgeschäften des Leineweber-Marktes – gerade der Kontrast ermöglicht in der Kunsthalle neue Perspektiven.

"Stellung beziehen. Käthe Kollwitz, Mona Hatoum". Noch bis zum 16.06.2024 in der Bielefelder Kunsthalle.

Kommen Sie mit uns ins Gespräch – zum Beispiel beim nächsten Uncertainty Talk mit Tessa Gengnagel am 10.06. in der Universität Bielefeld. Mehr Informationen rund um das Center for Uncertainty Studies und seine Veranstaltungen erhalten sie auf der Website des CeUS.

Upcoming CeUS Events

2024-04-16T11:18:01+02:00

The summer semester at Bielefeld University has started. Just as last semester, CeUS is exited to offer several Uncertainty Events to connect Researchers from many different disciplines and contexts. Everyone is welcome at both the Uncertainty Lunches on April 23 and June 11 as well as the Uncertainty Research Afternoon on June 17. The interdisciplinary Research Afternoon will feature Inputs by Sina Zarrieß (Computational Linguistics), Maren Schmeck (Finance) and Martin Lewinski (Bioinformatics). More information can be found on the CeUS Website.

Another event in the sphere of Bielefeld Uncertainty Research is the ceremonial welcoming of the members of the new Graduate School "Health Policy and Systems in Uncertainties" (GRASP Uncertainties). This will take place on 7 May from 12 to 4 pm in V2-105/115. In addition to a welcome address by the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Wolfgang Greiner, and the Head of the Graduate School, Kayvan Bozorgmehr, there will also be a greeting from the CeUS Founding Director Silke Schwandt.

The members of the Graduate School will introduce themselves and present their projects and work programme. Please register for the public event at joern.knobloch@uni-bielefeld.de.

Learn more about the Graduate School "Health Policy and Systems in Uncertainties" (GRASP Uncertainties).

Tour of the exhibition with Prof. Dr. Andreas Zick

2024-03-25T09:56:30+01:00

On April 17th CeUS Founding Director Prof. Dr. Andreas Zick will offer a tour of the current exhibition "Stellung beziehen. Käthe Kollwitz, Mona Hatoum" at Kunsthalle Bielefeld.

He will approach the work of Käthe Kollwitz and Mona Hatoum from the perspective of a conflict researcher and social psychologist. As Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on Conflict and Violence (IKG) and Professor of Socialization and Conflict Research at Bielefeld University, he will focus on questions of opinion formation, empathy and social integration in times of growing extremism. Topics of uncertainty will play a vital role in this discussion. The guided tour is open to the public and in German language.

ADDITIONAL DATE

Due to high demand, Andreas Zick will offer another tour on May 29th. You can watch a WDR television programme about the exhibition and Andreas Zick's first tour and approach via ARD Mediathek (from minute 15).

Registration at:

anmeldung@kunsthalle-bielefeld.de

T 0521 329995018

CeUS announces upcoming Uncertainty-Events

2023-11-24T17:39:56+01:00

The Center for Uncertainty Studies (CeUS), which was founded a year ago, is pleased to announce three upcoming Uncertainty-Events. The informal Uncertainty Lunchs and our first Uncertainty Research Afternoon are a great opportunity to engage in the regular exchange with the principal investigators and interested researchers on the topic of uncertainty.

The Uncertainty Lunches will take place on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 from 12.30-1.30 pm and on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024 from 12.30-1.30 pm both in the Univarza. There is no fixed programme for the lunches, rather we want to exchange ideas with you about different research projects related to the topic of uncertainty and talk about new opportunities.

The Uncertainty Research Afternoon with impulses from Prof. Dr Sonja Blum, Prof. Dr Dario Anselmetti and Prof. Dr Kevin Tierney will take place on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 from 4-7 pm in the plenary hall of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF). A dinner at Bültmannshof will round off the evening.