Intercultural knowledge

World Literature, Religion, Identities

In a globalized world, understanding one's own and other cultures is essential. The University of Bern makes valuable contributions with its interdisciplinary research in history, psychology, philosophy, theology, gender studies, linguistics, and other cultural studies.

Current

Dialect research

Changing Swiss dialects

Swiss dialects are changing constantly and differ from one region to the next. Adrian Leemann and his team at the Center for the Study of Language and Society of the University of Bern have performed the first-ever large-scale analysis of the evolution of the Swiss language.

Women’s health

“There is a great lack of basic knowledge about female bodies”

Women are disadvantaged in all areas of the Swiss healthcare system. This is the conclusion of a study by the Interdisciplinary Centre for Gender Studies (ICFG) at the University of Bern. An interview with two of the co-authors, Christine Bigler and Tina Büchler.

History of Architecture

Historic window glass – culturally and ecologically valuable

Flat glass in historical buildings is an example of cultural heritage and often scores highly from an ecological point of view, but often ends up in the disposal yard. The new publication Glass in Architecture examines glass and its multifaceted value for the man-made structures around us.

Gender equality

Can artificial intelligence be unbiased?

On 7 March, a symposium on biases was held at the University of Bern. Gülser Corat, former Director for Gender Equality at UNESCO, argued that the current design of artificial intelligence often promotes bias and explained how that could change.

Psychology

“A sensitive person will probably never become a tough guy”

When is a trauma a trauma? And why do some people suffer more from psychological distress than others? Yvonne Egenolf explains. The co-head of the Psychotherapeutic Practice at the University of Bern supports people who have been through stressful events.

Biased teachers

Media release

A study reveals biases in the grading of 14 000 ninth-graders in Germany: Gender, weight, ethnic origin and the socio-economic status of parents play a significant role in the allocation of grades.

People

A question for Claus Beisbart

Does science have to shake things up?

A pointed response from a philosophy of science perspective.

Literature

Determine the path – make the choice

So you’re off. On a hike in Vaud. This is where thoughts and conversations about literature meander: decisions in literary texts. Soon the hike becomes an allegory of literature. Because here as there, people act by deciding to leave, sometimes confiding in one another.

University and studies

Better decisions in sports and traffic

Christian Vater is one of eight researchers at the University of Bern to receive a coveted Starting Grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation. He will use it to investigate the role of peripheral vision in complex decisions.

Social anthropology

“Not conforming to the norm is also an act of self-love”

Social anthropologist Serena Owusua Dankwa studied the life stories of women in Ghana who love women. To do so, she left Western notions of sexual identity and the LGBTQ scene behind.

Theology

“A lecture is not a sermon”

Katharina Heyden is Professor of Ancient History of Christianity and is an ordained priest. Her research focuses in particular on interreligious encounters. She obtains her research material from text sources, art and archeology.

Musicology

The power of music theater

Lena van der Hoven researches music theater all over the world. The 40-year-old from Berlin is particularly interested in previously marginalized population groups that do music theater.

Uni Bern Magazin: Thema Intercultural knowledge