Open Lab evening: Harvesting the future

What does the future actually look like? A question with countless answers – and the one that hits the nail on the head is very unlikely to exist. Because the future doesn't yet exist, and it isn't predetermined. So why even think about it? Speculating and discussing the world of tomorrow helps us develop our own visions. This allows us to make proactive decisions, seize future opportunities, and find solutions to problems we don't yet have. Our current knowledge and our imagination are important sources for speculating about the future.

In this workshop, participants will use two different approaches to begin thinking about the future. The Future Cubes help us gain a better understanding of the challenges facing agriculture through engaging discussions. Building on this foundation, we use speculative artifacts from a fictional agricultural model to gradually explore visions of the future and exchange ideas with other participants. What function do the objects serve? What materials are they made of? How are they integrated into everyday life?

Workshop Leader

Ina Baier is a researcher in the Futures and Innovation group at the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) in Leipzig.

Her work focuses on the application and further development of foresight methods. Her current projects involve horizon scanning, speculative design, and the use of generative AI in scientific research.

With a background in linguistics and futures studies, she designed human-machine interfaces before joining Fraunhofer.

Dr. Valentin Knitsch studied philosophy, political science, and sociology in Dresden, Leipzig, and Berlin. In his work at the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI), he combines his experience in futures research and knowledge transfer to develop target-group-oriented and needs-based processes. A current focus of his work is shaping the future for viticulture and fruit growing in Central Germany. In the EXPRESS and MIRO projects, he supports farmers in addressing medium- and long-term uncertainties in their operations and their industry with courage and a proactive approach.

Information

-> Venue: Workshop Futurium Lab (-1)

-> Admission: Free

-> Language: German

-> Maximum number of participants: 20

-> Participation requirements: No prior knowledge required

-> Age recommendation: All are welcome

Participants under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Tickets

-> A ticket is required for this event.

-> Due to limited seating, only one ticket per person can be booked.

IN GERMAN