Welcome…

…to the BMBF junior research group “Mentalities in flux: imaginaries and social structure in modern circular bio-based societies”.

From a sociological and historical perspective, we study how people’s basic mindsets, attitudes, and common imaginations change through the rise of the bioeconomy. Our research explores the social consequences of energy and resource transformations that are moving societies away from the use of fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources and turning them towards a production based on biological materials and renewable forms of energy.

On the following pages we would like to introduce ourselves, provide some insights into our research, and inform you about our current work as well as upcoming events.

If you are interested in the topic or have questions about our research, you are welcome to contact us at flumen@uni-jena.de. You will find some more information about the project in our Flyer.

Our project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under the program „Bioeconomy and Societal Change“. The website of the junior research groups provides information on the supported projects of this program.

flumen active
Latest Publications

Interview
Prof. Dr. Dennis Eversberg in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung:
‘We are in a dilemma’ | 07. Februar 2025

Coffee Talks Human-Forest-Relationships
Dr. Léa Lacan: “Forest Politics in Kenya’s Tugen Hills: Conservation Beyond Natural Resources in the Katimok Forest” | 26. February 2025


Coffee Talks Human-Forest-Relationships
Dr. John Björkman: “The Black Man of Villavuori sits in that forest, guarding the village border.” | 22. January 2025





Coffee Talks Human-Forest-Relationships
Dr. Jodie Asselin (University of Lethbridge) and Dr. Agata Konczal (Wageningen University): “Exploring the Green Frontier: Patterns of Inequality in Europe’s Recent Forest Initiatives” | 13 Nov 2024


Scientific Coffee
Kristina Wirth (FVA Freiburg): “Creating understanding through artful connections“ | 9 October 2024


Conference
Jana Holz at the “European Conference: Towards a social-ecological bioeconomy” | 23-25 September 2024


Publication
Kajsa Emilsson, Martin Fritz, Roger Hildingsson, Håkan Johansson, Jamil Khan and Max Koch: ‘Pathways to Sustainable Welfare. Inertia, Emergence and Transformation in Swedish Cities’ | 12 February 2025


Article
Linda von Faber, Martin Fritz, Dennis Eversberg (2024):
“Mentalities in the energy and heat transition: A comparative study of German bioenergy villages.




Research Report
Eversberg, Dennis / Fritz, Martin / von Faber, Linda /
Schmelzer, Matthias (2024)
: “The new socio-ecological class conflict. Conflicting mentalities
and interests in the dispute over transformation.”