Jan GRUSS, Hochschule Furtwangen University, Germany
Dorothea SCHROEDER, Hochschule Furtwangen University, Germany
Andreas SCHEIBMAIER, Hochschule Furtwangen University, Germany
Social change is characterisitc for modern and postmodern societies. During the last decades, especially the digital revolution led to fast and fundamental transformation in many areas. The actual crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic might in this regard be another booster, as digital technologies are indispensable for a communication and cooperation on distance or disease surveillance. Digital future visions have partly become realities overnight. However the social debate on the digital transformation is by far not yet concluded and lacking in many regards, which is of course also exemplary for other transformation processes. However, the shortcomings with regard to a macrosocial participation and dialog might further increase social inequalities and the tendency of social polarization.The necessity of social distancing in the actual pandemic as well as the separation of the dialogue into different public segements also driven by digital technologies are of course aggravating circumstances for an appropriate negotiation process within the society.
The research project „Digitaldialog 21“ (digitaldialog21.de) financed through funds of the digitization strategy (digital@bw) of the federal state Baden-Württemberg (Germany) can be seen as a barometer for the public opinion and debate with regard to the digital transformation process. During 2020, an interdisciplinary research team at the Hochschule Furtwangen University has conducted a survey, several civil dialogues and workshops to discuss attidutes, chances and challenges of the digital transformation, as well as the options for participation and public engagment, with citizens from thirteen rural communities. The dialogues and workshops have been carried out in face-to-face events, as well as as by video conferencing. The qualitative and quantitative data is actually in process of analysis, however first results show the huge range of attitudes, from affirmation to rejection, from sovereignty to vulnerability, but also a need and readiness for dialogue and cooperation.
Besides the classical empirical analysis the data will be also artistically reflected. In the form of an interactive drama the civil dialogues will be reenacted. The script for the reenactment is based on the qualitative research data. The reenactment will use a video conference as setting also to reflect the specific context of dialogues during the pandemic. The video confernce will be led by professional actors and filmed for the production of a video. The video will be integrated and used as impulse in the context of participative research for the upcoming civil dialogues and workshops in 2nd/3rd quarter of 2021. The aim of this approach is to investigate, if through an interactive reenactment as form of artistic research new data and findings can be generated different to the classical empirical research, as well as if and which role public science in this form can play in the moderation of social transformation processes.