ZIWIS

As one of FAU’s Central Research Institutions and as a FAU Competence Center, the Center conducts interdisciplinary research in cooperation with all five faculties in the field of applied philosophy of science. Our Center also coordinates the Key Qualifications Program and the Orientation Program (GOS) as well as delivering a broad portfolio of training courses and advisory services in both areas. All important details about research, teaching and contact persons at the Center can be found on the website. For further information about the Center please click on tasks.

Areas of work

Scientific research and practice do not occur in isolation in an ivory tower but instead are always embedded in a complex and far-reaching social, epistemological and economic context.

In the framework of the interdisciplinary research priority “Applied Philosophy of Science”, research work at the Center focuses on questions concerned both with the environment for research from a practical and theoretical perspective as well as the social significance and ethical consequences of its results. Amongst others these include the topics of “Trust in Science”, “Requirements for Successful Interdisciplinarity” and “Future Lifeworlds”.

In the area of key qualifications, the Center performs two functions: Firstly, it is responsible for the conceptualization and coordination of all key qualification measures at FAU. Our task is to put together a broad and differentiated teaching portfolio that takes into consideration students’ different needs and individual interests. In this context, we also advise students, teaching staff and other FAU institutions on this topic, develop information material and are responsible for showcasing key qualifications at FAU.

Secondly the Center offers its own courses which were specially developed as key qualifications. In this area, our portfolio concentrates on the topic of applied philosophy of science as well as the teaching of study and career-related skills (methodological, social and personal skills).

“BliSeh” is a project at FAU for blind and visually impaired students. It provides assistance with the use of technical facilities as well as advice on compensatory rules and the transition between university and career. Its main task is to teach key qualifications for blind/visually impaired students. The contact person for BliSeh is Dr. Wolfgang Krebs.