International Max Planck Research School "Knowledge and Its Resources: Historical Reciprocities” Opens in Ceremony at Harnack-Haus Berlin
- Feb 27, 2023
- Institute News
- IMPRS
- Jakob Kaaby HellsteniusRiaz HoweyChristopher KlaukeChristine von OertzenLisa OnagaZeynep Ecem PulasSatria Amilius QuaijtaalJürgen RennDagmar SchäferSophie SchwarzmaierViktoria TkaczykLejie Zeng
The newly-established International Max Planck Research School “Knowledge and Its Resources: Historical Reciprocities” (IMPRS-KIR) officially marked its start through an opening ceremony at Harnack-Haus in Berlin on February 6, 2023.
The new graduate school is a collective undertaking by the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG), Freie Universität Berlin (FU), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU), and Technische Universität Berlin (TU). Students and professors in this new PhD program trace the political entanglements of knowledge and resources from a long-term and global perspective. Through a novel curriculum combining historical-political epistemology with cross-disciplinary perspectives, the graduate students at the IMPRS-KIR are trained to become experts that can bring a much-needed comparative perspective, reflection, and historical depth to the shaping and sustaining of knowledge societies around the globe.
Launching the IMPRS-KIR
The opening ceremony brought together around 100 members from the four partner institutions and from other graduate schools based in Berlin, as well as from collaborating research institutions and museums. They were welcomed by MPIWG managing director Jürgen Renn, the chairperson of the Human Sciences Section of the Max Planck Society, Arno Villringer, and the Presidents of the three Berlin Universities Günter Ziegler (FU), Julia von Blumenthal (HU), and Geraldine Rauch (TU). Moderated by IMPRS-KIR Speaker Christine von Oertzen (MPIWG/HU), the agenda and structure of the new graduate school were introduced to the guests by IMPRS-KIR Speakers Dagmar Schäfer (MPIWG) and Viktoria Tkaczyk (HU).
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The evening's keynote speaker Simon Werrett (University College London) and doctoral students of the first cohort of the IMPRS-KIR during the reception. From left to right: Christopher Klauke (MPIWG), Jakob K. Hellstenius (MPIWG), Simon Werrett (UCL), Lejie Zeng (MPIWG), Riaz Howey (MPIWG), Zeynep E. Pulaş (MPIWG). Source: Arne Sattler, 2023.
Simon Werrett (University College London) during his keynote lecture entitled "Toward a Resourceful History of Science." Source: Arne Sattler, 2023.
The keynote and welcome speeches were given in Otto-Hahn-Saal in Harnack-Haus, Berlin, and brought together around 100 invited guests from all four IMPRS-KIR partner institutions. Source: Arne Sattler, 2023.
The Presidents of the three partner universities of the IMPRS-KIR (left to right): Julia von Blumenthal (HU), Geraldine Rauch (TU), Günter M. Ziegler (FU). Source: Arne Sattler, 2023.
HU President Julia von Blumenthal during her welcome address. Source: Arne Sattler, 2023.
IMPRS-KIR Speaker Dagmar Schäfer (MPIWG) presented the structure of the collective endeavor of the IMPRS-KIR. Source: Arne Sattler, 2023.
IMPRS-KIR Speaker Viktoria Tkaczyk (HU) introduced into the graduate school's research agenda. Source: Arne Sattler, 2023.
IMPRS-KIR Speaker Christine von Oertzen moderated the opening ceremony. Source: Arne Sattler, 2023.
Doctoral students of the IMPRS-KIR during the reception. From left to right: Zeynep E. Pulaş, Lejie Zeng, Jakob K. Hellstenius. Source: Arne Sattler, 2023.
Posters of the dissertation projects during the reception invited guests to discuss with the doctoral students. Source: Arne Sattler, 2023.
Lisa Onaga (MPIWG), member of the Extended Teaching Faculty of the IMPRS-KIR, and Arno Villringer (Max Planck Society) during the reception. Source: Arne Sattler, 2023.
MPIWG Director Jürgen Renn and Arno Villringer, Chairperson of the Human Sciences Section of the Max Planck Society. Source: Arne Sattler, 2023.
Members of the Principal Teaching Faculty of the IMPRS-KIR during the reception (from left to right): Karin Gludovatz (FU), Cale Johnson (FU), Dagmar Schäfer (MPIWG). Source: Arne Sattler, 2023.
The opening's highlight was a keynote lecture given by historian Simon Werrett (University College London) on “Toward a Resourceful History of Science.” In his talk, Werrett traced the resourcefulness of the early modern English household as a way to better understand the history of science, economy, and environment. The keynote was followed by a reception, with opportunities for academic and personal exchange and posters on the PhD projects of the first six doctoral students of the IMPRS-KIR. For them and other Predoctoral Fellows, the evening found its continuation the next day in a workshop with Simon Werrett on "How to Write a History of Objects."