Interdisciplinary Collaboration on Humans, Animals and Technology
Center for Human-Animal Studies Aachen established at RWTH
The relationships between human beings, animals and technology are being explored in various disciplines. As a rule, however, scholars and scientists in the different fields carry out their research independently of one another. In order to provide interested researchers from all disciplines with a platform for interdisciplinary research on human-animal relationships, the Center for Human-Animal Studies Aachen, CHASA for short, was founded at RWTH.
While biological research on animals is carried out by humans and with the help of technology, bionics uses animals as models to advance technological innovation and progress. New medical or psychological findings are often gained through animal observation and animal experiments. The new Center provides unique opportunities for cross-disciplinary exchange on the complex relationships between humans, animals and technology.
This winter semester, CHASA will offer a Leonardo lecture series entitled "Humans – Animals – Technology.” The kick-off event for the lecture series will take the form of a panel discussion on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, which is scheduled to begin at 6:30pm in the Ford Hall, SuperC, Templergraben 57, 52062 Aachen.
At the panel discussion, Professor René Tolba, RWTH Chair of Laboratory Animal Science; Dr. Friederike Schmitz, philosopher and publicist; and Professor Harald Luksch, Chair of Zoology and head of the Leonardo da Vinci Center for Bionics at the Technical University of Munich; will discuss the topic of “Human – Animal –Technology: Realities and Visions.” The event is moderated by RWTH chancellor Manfred Nettekoven.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.