HGGS - Us and Them

Magical Urbanism: Thresholds, Hybridity, and the Transformative Power of "Us and Them" in Woolf, Lispector, and Lahiri – Interview with Tetyana Kasima (University of Tartu)

Tetyana Kasima (University of Tartu) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS) - How do literature and urban spaces shape one another? - What are “heterotopic moments of being,” and how can they help us understand city life? - How do literary texts reimagine questions of identity, visibility, and coexistence in urban environments? As human beings, we are all embedded in time and space, but how does the space we inhabit shape our perspectives and experiences? In this episode, we explore this question through the lens of literary urban studies together with Tetyana Kasima from the University of Tartu, who was also one of the presenters at the HGGS Summer Forum 2025, “Us and Them.” Drawing on her research into Clarice Lispector’s The Besieged City, Virginia Woolf’s Solid Objects, and the works of Jhumpa Lahiri, Tetyana Kasima introduces the concept of “magical urbanism” and examines how literature reflects and reimagines urban life. Combining Michel Foucault’s notion of “heterotopias” with Virginia Woolf’s idea of “moments of being,” she develops the interdisciplinary framework of “heterotopic moments of being” to investigate the relationship between urban environments and human experience in literary texts. Throughout the conversation, we discuss how cities are shaped by contradictions, hybridity, and coexistence, and how literature allows us to pause and reflect on the spaces we inhabit in everyday life. The episode further explores questions of visibility and anonymity in the city, the role of urban porosity, and the ways in which diverse identities and cultures merge within shared urban environments. In addition, Tetyana Kasima reflects on the methodological challenges of combining literary analysis with other artistic mediums, such as painting, through her discussion of Giorgio de Chirico’s artwork and its connection to Clarice Lispector’s fiction. The discussion also touches upon the emotional and experiential dimensions of city life, examining how walking, memory, architecture, and storytelling contribute to our understanding of urban spaces. From Vienna and Paris to fictional cityscapes in literature, the episode highlights how cities can become spaces of imagination, transformation, and interdisciplinary reflection. Join us in this episode as we explore how literature reshapes our understanding of the cities we live in and reveals the hidden layers of urban experience! Timeline (00:00) Intro (00:24) Introducing Tetyana Kasima and Her Academic Background (01:48) Literary Urban Studies and the Motivation Behind the Research (03:50) Heterotopic Moments of Being: Foucault and Virginia Woolf (06:41) Moments of Being and Non-Being in Literary Urbanism (08:26) What Is a City? Perspective and Urban Experience (10:53) Magical Urbanism, Contradictions, and “Us and Them” (15:08) Visibility and Anonymity in a City (16:54) Combining Literature and Visual Art in Research (20:23) Personal Reflection: Magical Cities and Urban Experiences (21:45) Experiencing Cities Through the Eyes of a Researcher (23:44) Outro Keywords Literary Urban Studies, Magical Urbanism, Urban Studies, Comparative Literature, Michel Foucault, Heterotopia, Heterotopic Moments of Being, Virginia Woolf, Clarice Lispector, Jhumpa Lahiri, Giorgio de Chirico, Urban Porosity, City Life, Urban Experience, Literature and Space, Interdisciplinary Research, Cultural Studies, Identity Politics, Hybrid Cultures, Visibility and Anonymity, Walking in the City, Flâneur, Literary Theory, Philosophy and Literature, Urban Culture, Interdisciplinary Discussions, Interviews with Scholars, Academic Podcast, Scientific Podcast, HGGS, Heidelberg University, University of Tartu Note: This episode is a republished and revised version of one of our previous episodes, with adjustments made to enhance the sound quality and improve the overall flow of the conversation. Thank you very much for your understanding and continued support.

The Limits of Understanding: Towards an Implementable Model of Inter-Paradigmatic Communication – Interview with Antoni Lukasik (Warsaw University)

Antoni Lukasik (Warsaw University) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS) - What are the limits of understanding within the framework of language in political contexts? - How does Ludwig Wittgenstein’s philosophy reshape our understanding of language and communication? - Can interdisciplinary and empirical approaches improve political communication, particularly in climate policy? In this episode, Antoni Łukasik, researcher from the Department of Philosophy at Warsaw University and participant in the 4EU+ Program Collegio Futuro 2026, takes us on an interdisciplinary journey through the complex relationship between language, understanding, and political communication. Starting from the idea, famously expressed by Antoine deSaint-Exupéry, that “language is a source of misunderstanding,” the conversation explores how linguistic structures shape not only communication but also perception and public discourse. Drawing on the philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein, Antoni Łukasik introduces a shift from viewing language as a mirror of reality to understanding it as a tool for interaction, emphasizing how meaning emerges through use, context, and social exchange. Building on this philosophical foundation, the episode examines the limitations of classical models of political deliberation, highlighting empirical findings that challenge the assumption that rational argument alone leads to consensus. Instead, the discussion turns to holistic and discursive processes that shape public opinion. The discussion further explores the concept of vernacularization and highlights a striking reverse dynamic example in which indigenous knowledge systems in Ecuador have influenced formal political and legal structures from the bottom up. By combining philosophical inquiry with empirical methods such as qualitative fieldwork, this episode sheds light on the challenges of communicating across paradigms, cultures, and disciplines. It also raises fundamental questions about whether universal models of communication are possible or whether we must instead embrace plurality, uncertainty, and contextual understanding. Join us as we explore the boundaries of language, the challenges of political communication, and the possibilities of interdisciplinary approaches for fostering clearer dialogue in an increasingly complex world! Timeline (00:00) Intro (00:24) Introducing Antoni Łukasik and His Academic Background (05:53) Ludwig Wittgenstein and the Philosophy of Language (17:03) Communication Models and Discursive Processes (22:54) Research Design and Case Selection: Climate Policy and Competing Worldviews (28:32) Vernacularization and Knowledge Transfer (31:05) Fieldwork Reflections and Methodological Challenges (34:31) Scientific Methodology (38:58) Hypotheses, Falsification, and Scientific Inquiry (42:39) Personal Reflection: Interdisciplinary Research and Collegio Futuro (45:18) Personal Reflection: Future Research Plans (47:36) Outro Keywords Language, Political Communication, Climate Policy, Philosophy, Philosophy of Language, Empirical Philosophy, Environmental Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, Ecuador, Public Discourse, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn, Understanding, Social Representation, Empirical Methods, Vernacularization, Qualitative Fieldwork, Critical Discourse Analysis, Contextual Analysis, Interdisciplinary Research, Interdisciplinary Scholarship, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Scholarly Conversations, Interdisciplinary Discussions, Interviews with Scholars, University Discourse, Academic Podcast, Scientific Podcast, Research Podcast, University Podcast, Heidelberg University, University of Warsaw, Collegio Futuro

Differences Between First Language and Second Language Acquisition: Psycholinguistics and Cognitive Science Perspectives – Interview with Elizaveta Savina (Heidelberg University)

Elizaveta Savina (Heidelberg University) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS) - What are the fundamental differences between first and second language acquisition? - How do implicit and explicit learning processes shape language learning outcomes? - What role does structural priming play in second language acquisition? In this episode, Elizaveta Savina, PhD Student from the Heidelberg University Language and Cognition Lab (HULC) at the Institute of German as a Foreign Philology, introduces us to the complex and fascinating dynamics of first and second language acquisition from the perspectives of psycholinguistics and cognitive science. Drawing on her research, Elizaveta Savina explores how cognitive mechanisms operate behind the scenes during language acquisition, emphasizing the roles of implicit and explicit learning processes. Within this framework, she highlights the concept of structural priming as a key mechanism that enables learners to internalize grammatical structures through repeated exposure, thereby facilitating fluency and comprehension. The conversation further sheds light on empirical methods such as eye-tracking in the visual world paradigm, offering insights into how researchers investigate real-time language processing and learning. Join us as we explore the cognitive foundations of language learning, the challenges and opportunities of acquiring a second language, and what these insights reveal about human cognition and communication more broadly! For Elizaveta Savina’s current study: Flyer: https://heibox.uni-heidelberg.de/f/f4b6ed8cb083462986a5/ Appointment Calendar: https://koalendar.com/e/studie-eye-tracking-idf   Heidelberg University Language and Cognition Lab (HULC): https://www.hulclab.eu/research/   Timeline (00:00) Intro (00:24) Introducing Elizaveta Savina and Her Academic Background (03:01) Motivation Behind the Research Topic Theoretical Implications (05:41) Differences Between First and Second Language Acquisition (08:40) Implicit vs. Explicit Learning (11:28) Implicit Learning in Cognitive Science (12:41) Acquisition vs. Learning (15:19) Structural Priming Explained (18:19) Structural Priming and Predictive Coding Theory (24:54) Learning during Sleep? Methodological Insights in Psycholinguistic Research (27:42) Research Hypotheses (29:21) Sciences of Cognition and Language (32:50) Eye-Tracking and the Visual World Paradigm (35:42) Requirements of Psycholinguistic Research (37:51) Interdisciplinary Perspectives of Cognitive Science at Heidelberg University (40:03) Practical Implications for Researching German Learners (44:16) Challenges of Learning German Grammar (47:08) Structural Priming State of Art and Novelty Personal Perspectives (49:41) Personal Reflections on Language Learning (51:12) Advantages of Early and Late Language Learning (55:26) Further Language Learning Plans (58:15) Outro   Keywords Language Learning, Language Acquisition, Psycholinguistics, Cognitive Science, Second Language Acquisition, First Language Acquisition, Language Journey, Structural Priming, Implicit Learning, Explicit Learning, Eye Tracking, Linguistics, HULC, Interdisciplinary Research, Interdisciplinary Scholarship, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Scholarly Conversations, Interdisciplinary Discussions, Interviews with Scholars, University Discourse, Us and Them, Academic Podcast, Scientific Podcast, Research Podcast, University Podcast, Heidelberg University

The Elgar Companion to the G7: 50 Years of the G7 – Interview with Prof. Dr. Andreas Freytag (Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

Prof. Dr. Andreas Freytag (Friedrich Schiller University Jena) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS) - What role does the G7 play within the broader framework of global governance? - How does the informal structure of the G7 shape international cooperation and policy-making? - What challenges does the G7 face in an evolving multipolar world? In this episode, Prof. Dr. Andreas Freytag from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Chair of Economic Policy at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena guides us through the complex dynamics of global governance and introduces his recent book “The Elgar Companion to the G7: 50 Years of the G7.” Drawing on his long-standing research in international political economy, Prof. Freytag explores the historical development and enduring relevance of the G7 as an informal yet influential platform for international cooperation. He explains how the G7’s unique structure enables open dialogue and flexible coordination among leading economies. At the same time, the conversation addresses key challenges facing the G7 today, including transboundary issues such as climate change and financial crises, shifting global power dynamics and the increasing preference for bilateral over multilateral agreements. The discussion further highlights the G7’s achievements, such as coordinated responses to economic crises and debt relief initiatives, while also reflecting on its evolving role alongside institutions like the G20 and emerging groupings such as BRICS. Looking ahead, Prof. Freytag offers insights into how the G7 can remain relevant by strengthening international cooperation, upholding shared values, and adapting to an increasingly complex global landscape. Join us as we explore how informal diplomacy, economic policy, and international collaboration intersect in shaping global governance today! For Prof. Dr. Andreas Freytag’s Academic Website: https://www.wipo.uni-jena.de/en [https://www.wipo.uni-jena.de/en] Timeline (00:00) Intro (00:24) Introducing Prof. Dr. Freytag and His Academic Background (02:51) The Field of Political Economy (03:54) Motivation behind the Book “The Elgar Companion to the G7: 50 Years of the G7” (06:04) The Significance of International Collaboration (07:51) The Role of the G7 in Global Governance and Its Informal Structure (11:56) Multilateral vs. Bilateral Trade Agreements (13:35) The Relationship between G7 and Russia (15:50) The Role of the G20 in Global Governance (17:19) The Emergence of BRICS on the Global Stage (19:45) Historical Achievements of the G7 (23:54) Policy Recommendations for the G7 (26:09) Future of the G7 (28:06) Personal Reflection: Future Academic Research Plans (30:12) Outro Keywords G7, Group of Seven, Global Governance, International Relations, Economics, Global Politics, BRICS, Debt Relief, Multilateralism, Bilateralism, Global Diplomacy, Informal Diplomacy, Economic Policy, Political Economy, Policy Making, G20, Global Challenges, Regional Initiatives, Interdisciplinary Research, International Collaboration, Interdisciplinary Scholarship, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Scholarly Conversations, Interdisciplinary Discussions, Interviews with Scholars, University Discourse, Us and Them, Academic Podcast, Scientific Podcast, Heidelberg University, University Jena

HIV Prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa – Interview with Dr. Maureen McGowan (Heidelberg University)

Dr. Maureen McGowan (Heidelberg University) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS) - How can peer referral strategies enhance HIV testing and prevention efforts? - What challenges arise when aligning public health research, policy, and local cultural contexts? - What role does qualitative research play in understanding and addressing both local and global challenges? In this episode, Dr. Maureen McGowan from the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health at Heidelberg University introduces us to the complex and multifaceted challenges of HIV prevention in sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on her research, Dr. McGowan elaborates on how gender dynamics and structural inequalities shape vulnerability within the context of HIV prevention, particularly among adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa. Within this framework, she highlights the significance of innovative strategies such as peer referral, demonstrating how community-based approaches and social support can substantially increase HIV testing and the uptake of prevention methods. At the same time, she reflects on the importance of stakeholder engagement and ethical considerations, as well as the challenges of bridging the gap between research and policy across diverse local contexts. The conversation further underscores the value of qualitative research methods, alongside interdisciplinary and international collaboration, in developing sustainable and culturally sensitive public health interventions. Join us as we explore how HIV prevention efforts reveal broader dynamics of trust and cooperation, and what they teach us about addressing global health challenges! For Dr. Maureen McGowan´s Academic Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Maureen-Mcgowan?ev=hdr_xprf [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Maureen-Mcgowan?ev=hdr_xprf] Timeline (00:00) Intro (00:24) Introducing Dr. McGowan and Her Academic Background (02:29) Motivation Behind the Research Topic (04:17) Understanding Challenges in HIV Prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa (07:20) Gender Disparities in HIV Exposure (09:25) Peer Referral as a Strategy for HIV Prevention (11:24) Recommendation for Strengthening Peer Referral in HIV Prevention (12:42) The Role of Social Support in HIV Prevention (15:34) Key Stakeholders in HIV Prevention Efforts (17:37) The Importance of a Shared Understanding among Stakeholders (19:08) Bridging the Gap Between Research and Policy (20:45) Ethical Considerations in HIV Research (22:08) The Significance and Challenges of International Collaboration in Public Health (23:52) The Need for Interdisciplinary Approaches in HIV Prevention (26:30) The Role of Qualitative Research Methods in Public Health Research (30:34) Methodological Approaches to Ensuring Reliable Research Outcomes (32:13) Personal Reflection: Cultural Insights from Global Research (34:30) Personal Reflection: Future Directions in HIV Research (35:57) Outro Keywords HIV Prevention, HIV Testing, Sub-Saharan Africa, Global Health, Public Health, Peer Referral, Voluntary Assisted Partner Notification, VAPN, Public Health Policy, Social Support, Interdisciplinary Research, Gender Disparities, Gender Politics, Stakeholder Engagement, Policy Implementation, Cultural Factors, Cultural Dynamics, Cultural Norms, Stigmatisation, Sexual Health Education, Ethical Issues, International Collaboration,  Qualitative Research, Interdisciplinary Scholarship, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Scholarly Conversations, Interdisciplinary Discussions, Interviews with Scholars, University Discourse, Us and Them, Academic Podcast, Scientific Podcast, Heidelberg University