Social Transformation
A wide range of factors shape social change. The “Social Transformation” research focus at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg conducts application-oriented and interdisciplinary research on the conditions of work, life, and social participation in a changing society.
Description of the Research Focus
The “Social Transformation” research focus conducts application-oriented and interdisciplinary research on the conditions of work, life, and social participation in a changing society. The starting point is key societal challenges resulting in particular from demographic change, digitalization, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), as well as societal crises and social inequalities. The research involves analyses from the fields of health sciences, sociology, social work, economics, law, psychology, and design.
Research is conducted in the following areas
Education and Skills Development
The research focuses on the prerequisites for educational equity, social participation, communication, and lifelong learning. It examines educational and learning processes under changing social and technological conditions, as well as language acquisition.
Social Participation, Diversity, and Cohesion
Research addresses topics such as social inequality, poverty, migration and displacement, gender relations, youth, discrimination, the prevention of radicalization, and democratic structures. The focus is on how social diversity can be lived out, how participation can be enabled—particularly for people in vulnerable situations—and how social cohesion can be strengthened.
Health and Care
The focus is on psychosocial health, prevention, and health promotion, as well as the further development of health, social, and long-term care systems. This takes into account both individual and social factors, as well as the significance of new technological possibilities and requirements for those affected.
Work and Organization
The focus is on the consequences of demographic and technological change for labor markets, organizations, and employees. Skills shortages, an aging workforce, the pursuit of sustainable and climate-just development, as well as digitalization and AI are transforming job roles, skill requirements, collaboration, and work design. The research examines how work and organizations can be designed in a way that is people-centered, environmentally sustainable, inclusive, health-promoting, and future-proof.
Human-Technology Interaction
This research field examines how digital technologies and AI influence human experience, behavior, social interactions, and social participation. It integrates psychological, social science, and design perspectives to make human-technology interactions understandable, accessible, and user-centered.
Designing Sustainable and Resilient Living Environments
The focus is on the planning and design of built and spatial environments in the context of societal transformation. The research examines how buildings, neighborhoods, and spaces for work, education, healthcare, and public life can be adapted to technological and social changes and designed to be needs-based, sustainable, user-centered, and resilient.