Dr. Henrike Kohpeiß

The seminar explores the ethical dimensions of societal, ecological, and technological transformations. It invites participants to interrogate dominant narratives of “transformation” by asking who defines transformation, who benefits from it, and who bears its costs. The course centers on the ethical challenges that arise in researching processes of change, especially in contexts marked by asymmetries of power, knowledge, and resources.
Through a blended-learning format combining self-directed study with interactive sessions, students engage with key ethical frameworks and apply them to contemporary transformation processes such as climate transitions, digitalization, and institutional reform as well as the diverse transformation research. The seminar foregrounds questions of justice, inclusion, and responsibility, encouraging participants to critically reflect on how transformation processes can reproduce or exacerbate existing inequalities across lines of race, class, gender, geography, and disciplinary positioning.
Core components of the seminar include:
- Critical examination of ethical theories relevant to transformation, including justice-based, care-based, and decolonial perspectives
- Reflection of one‘s own role in transformation research, including ethics guidelines and the handling of ethical dilemma
- Analysis of case studies highlighting unequal impacts and contested narratives of transformation
- Reflection on the role of expertise, knowledge production, and scientific practice within transformation processes
- Exploration of power relations, institutional constraints, and structural inequalities shaping transformation outcomes
- Engagement with questions of accountability, participation, and legitimacy in decision-making processes
Students are encouraged to relate these discussions to their own research contexts and professional roles, reflecting on their positionality and responsibilities within broader transformation dynamics. The seminar fosters an environment of dialogue and reflexivity, with particular attention to diversity, inclusion, and the ethical implications of action and inaction in times of profound change.
The seminar uses a co-created format in which elements of the syllabus—such as topics, case studies, and discussion formats—are collaboratively shaped with participants. While grounded in key ethical frameworks, the course remains flexible and adapts to students’ interests and research contexts.