Julia Stilke

Who are you and what is your research topic?
I am a PhD student with a background in cultural studies. My field is Feminist Science and Technology Studies and I am working in a project on human demands of sustainable aviation. The project combines theoretical perspectives from Feminist STS with Participatory Design Research.

Which research question are you working on?
My main research questions are: How is sustainability defined in the engineering projects of the cluster and in what way do human needs and demands play a role within these projects? Which understandings of sustainability do passengers and airport residents have and what are their demands regarding future mobility?

What inspires you about your research?
The topic is so exciting because it combines research with a political concern. It aims at democratizing technology development by enabling people to take part in technology development.  The goal of the project is to make diverse people’s ideas, whishes and demands crucial aspects for (technological) developments in the realm of sustainable mobility.  

Why is your topic relevant for future aviation?
My research topic is relevant as negative environmental and social impacts of our current mobility and consumption habits and related technologies affect all people worldwide – albeit differently. In order to create sustainable future life-worlds, bringing people’s diverse demands into engineering projects on sustainable aviation is so important.

What is special about participating in the interdisciplinary research network SE²A?
What is most special for me working in the SE2A cluster is to conduct research in an engineering project without having an engineering background myself. Although this creates several obstacles, I like to rise to the challenge of familiarizing myself with the engineering projects of the cluster. I learn something new every day and I love to have inspiring discussions with researchers from other fields.