Young Research Atelier

From the winter semester 2024/2025, the Young Research Atelier at the Faculty of Humanities and Cultural Studies at the University of Passau will be organized by Vanessa Vollman (American Studies) and Jörg Sternagel (Media Cultural Studies).

The Young Research Atelier, which is held in German and English, creates a safe space of regular exchange for students, doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers in particular, where, for example, project presentations, tutorials, joint readings, guest lectures and discussions are made possible. However, the attribute »young« that precedes and predetermines the research atelier is less an implicit hierarchy, but rather an attempt to repeatedly orientate ourselves together beyond the academic qualifications towards questions and problem areas in the present, taking into account both their past and their future. Topics such as diversity and equality in particular will play a major role in the studio.

The Young Research Atelier therefore builds on the initiatives and experiences of its participants and seeks cooperation with the student councils and the Diversity and Equality Office, for example.

During the lecture period of each semester, three dates are initially offered in person and announced via the corresponding lists. Online participation can be made possible if required.

The first appointment will take place on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 from 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m., the second appointment is on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 from 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. The third appointment is on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. They take all place in NK SR 205.

Please register for the Young Research Atelier in Stud.IP (46791) in advance.

Please send questions and suggestions by email to Dr. Vanessa Vollmann and PD Dr. Jörg Sternagel.

Dr. Vanessa Vollmann holds a Ph.D. in American Studies and teaches literature and cultural studies. Her research focuses on uncovering systemic power structures in US society that have led to the silencing of voices at the intersections of race, gender, class, and history. Cultural scripts and movements she is currently investigating through an intersectional lens include the Broadway musical Hamilton, witch hunts, Greta Gerwig’s The Barbie Movie, the dismantling of Roe v. Wade, the politicization of Beyoncé and Taylor Swift’s art, Robin DiAngelo’s concept “Nice Racism,” and the rewriting of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn by Percival Everett this year.

Jörg Sternagel (Dr phil. habil.) is Akademischer Rat auf Zeit in Media Cultural Studies with a focus on digital cultures and co-applicant of the DFG project »Visual Education«. His past seminars on Sara Ahmed's »The Feminist Killjoy Handbook« and Naomi Klein's »Doppelganger« were both nominated for the »Good Teaching« award by the student council of the Faculty of Humanities and Cultural Studies.
Further information on his work: https://linktr.ee/joergsternagel