Our current research projects are intensively focused on our collection. Key terms here include digitization, utilization, provenance research and the investigation of colonial contexts. In addition, we are involved in various projects that deal with knowledge transfer, its structures, and the accessibility of our offerings. Topics include participation, STEM education and education for sustainable development. In Citizen Science projects, citizens support us with their individual engagement in answering scientific questions.

Duration: 01.11.2024 - 31.10.2028
Participants from the Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch: N.N. (research assistant), Armelle Devillez (object handling), Dr. Christina Barilaro (project management)
Funding: “Science Spaces” funding line from the zukunft.niedersachsen program of the Volkswagen Foundation and the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK)

Research network and project partners: The Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Jade University of Applied Sciences, Leibniz University Hannover, Leuphana University Lüneburg as well as the Landesmuseum Natur und Mesnch Oldenburg, the Lower Saxony Provenance Research Network at the Lower Saxony State Museum Hannover and the German Maritime Museum Bremerhaven are involved.

The ProSaDi science space is a cooperative research project involving history, cultural studies, media studies, engineering and geoinformation sciences. The focus is on the development of new methods for the digitally supported research and presentation of collection items that have been removed from their original contexts of origin for various reasons - colonialism, war, looting, persecution, market dynamics - and are preserved in German museums, recorded in databases and presented in exhibitions.

The focus is on Kauri objects from the Landesmuseum's collection. Their variety of meanings, changes and contexts of use are analysed in space and time from a historical and cultural studies perspective, reflected on postcolonially and in terms of media theory in collaboration with societies of origin, and semantically described and visualized using AI methods.

Click here for the project page: https://prosadi.de/ (external link)

Duration: 01.11.2023 – 31.10.2026
Participants from the Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch: Dr. Ivonne Kaiser, Jennifer Tadge, M.A., Dr. Ursula Warnke
Funding: “zukunft.niedersachsen” programme from the Volkswagen Stiftung (Volkwagen Foundation)

How can the cultural heritage of humankind – such as historical objects and documents in museums and archives – be preserved, interpreted impartially and made more widely accessible with the help of digital technologies? This is a joint project of the Institute for History at the University, the coordinated Academy Project “Prize Papers”, the Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch Oldenburg, and the Institute for Applied Photogrammetry and Geoinformatics at Jade University of Applied Sciences Wilhelmshaven/Oldenburg/Elsfleth. Other partners include the Institute for Cartography and Geoinformatics at Leibniz University Hanover and the Library Network Central VZG in Göttingen, along with associated researchers from Germany and abroad.

The project systematically combines expertise from museum, history and cultural studies with that from technology and computer science – particularly in areas, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analysis, geoinformatics and 3D measurement technology. New digitally supported methods for capturing and analyzing collection objects will be developed, innovatively connected and made available in the form of a digital “toolbox” for other cultural and scientific institutions. The project draws on the large collections and archival records at the Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch and the “Prize Papers” at The National Archives in London, both of which were created in the context of European expansion and colonialism. DiViAS will contribute to provenance research, investigating the colonial origins of collection objects. The research network itself makes digitization strategies and technologies the subject of “Critical Digital Heritage” and understands this as a process of digital collection transformation. Additional associated researchers are active at the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa, Canada; the University of Dschang, Cameroon; and the University of Lüneburg in Germany.

Two interlinked case studies form the core of the project. One of these is intended to trace and digitally map the “movement in space and time” of historical objects, initially using ship routes that can be taken from logbooks archived in London. The other case study deals with “materiality in space and time”, i.e. the special properties, origin and changes in the condition of historical objects, for example from the Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch. At the same time, the studies aim to refine data collection methods and technologies.

The research network aims to produce, in addition to tools for the future-oriented digitization of cultural heritage, concepts for interactive exhibitions and Citizen Science projects, involving the public in research.

For more information, visit the project page: https://divias.de (external link)

Duration: 2023 – 2025
Participants from Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch: Dr. Ivonne Kaiser; since 2024 Dr. Gudrun Bucher
Funding: ProNiedersachsen programme of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture

The digital capture and analysis of the 137-object collection of Russian naval officer Ivan Antonovich Kuprejanov (1794–1857) is the focus of this project. The collection contains a wide variety of objects, some very rare or unique, made from special materials from the northwest coast of America. The collection was created between 1835 and 1840. Thanks to dynastic ties between the House of Oldenburg and the Russian imperial court, the period 1843/44 saw the collection placed in the Great Duchy “Naturalien-Cabinett” (Cabinet of Natural Curiosities), which had been created in 1836. Alongside cataloguing and digitization, the project also aims to uncover colonial contexts and critically analyse sources. Collaborative partnerships with the source communities will be initiated, and their results will be integrated into the metadata of the digital collection. The goal is to publish the collection.

Duration: 01.09.2019 – 31.08.2023, extended to 31.08.2024
Participants from Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch: Jenin Elena Abbas, Dr. Hendrikje Brüning (departed), Tosca Friedrich
Funding: “360° – Fund for the Cultures of the New Urban Society” programme of the Kulturstiftung des Bundes, the German Federal Cultural Foundation

The 360° programme is a structural funding programme focussing on migration and cultural diversity as promising future topics. Cities, in particular, are now characterized by great diversity. Cultural institutions such as museums, theatres, and libraries can make this cultural diversity visible and tangible. For a period of four years, the German Federal Cultural Foundation provides funds one full-time and two part-time members of staff as “agents” and additional project funding for supportive activities.

The goal is to create new access and participation opportunities for groups in society that have not yet been adequately reached and to reflect the diversity of urban society in the supported cultural institutions. The programme focuses on developing model measures that enable the sustainable integration of diversity in the three supported areas: “Personnel, Programme and Audience”. The programme introduces and tests new strategies and develops new collaborations with urban partners.

Duration: 01.01.2022 – 31.12.2025
Participants from Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch: Saskia Benthack, Steffen Pilney (departed), Caroline Hoops
Funding: “Urban Space Adaptation to Climate Change” programme by the German Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Spatial Research (BBSR)

One of the largest projects of the Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch started in 2022 after extensive preparation: “Climate Oases Oldenburg: Schlossgarten (Castle Garden) and Eversten Holz (Eversten Wood)” aims to make these two properties, which belong to the Lower Saxony State Museums Oldenburg, fit for climate change. The project is a collaboration between the Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch and the City of Oldenburg, which applied for funding through the BBSR’s “Urban Space Adaptation to Climate Change” programme. 4.5 million euros worth of funding was allocated to the project, with an additional 500,000 euros from the City of Oldenburg. The Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg is also involved in the project, which accompanies the construction projects and environmental education topics through its scientific research. The project focuses on climate adaptation measures to preserve and enhance the resilience of urban green spaces against climate change. Key areas include biodiversity & habitat, water & soil, CO2 & urban climate, and usage & recreation.

Alongside measures to restructure the spaces through construction work, interdisciplinary research, participation and environmental education are also important components of the project. Cooperative in nature, this project combines environmental science research that runs alongside the programme, led by the Carl von Ossietzky University in Oldenburg, with research-based event formats guided by the concept of participation. This participatory approach serves both as a driving component for generating ideas to address a symbiotic coexistence between nature and humans in times of climate change and as an educational tool to raise awareness and sensitivity for these processes.

Since 2022, the “Milieustudie Eversten Holz 2022” (English: “Environmental Study Eversten Wood 2022”) has been conducted as a parallel research project for Klimaoasen Oldenburg (Climate Oases Oldenburg) at the Institute for Biology and Environmental Sciences at the University of Oldenburg (https://klimaoasen-oldenburg.de/de/blog/milieustudie-eversten-holz). The focus was on the key areas of soil, water, flora, fauna and usage. The study compares some results of the 2010 Environmental Study with current findings while also providing new data and insights. As a result, Eversten Holz (Eversten Wood) received an ecological assessment with signs and consequences of climate change being identified. This data forms the basis for the planned hands-on stations.

From the outset of the project, Klimaoasen Oldenburg (Climate Oases Oldenburg) has engaged in public dialogue with Oldenburg’s residents to learn what the Schlossgarten (Castle Garden) and Eversten Holz (Eversten Wood) mean to them and what demands they place on these historical garden landmarks. Based on this process of public engagement, research-based event formats and a survey were developed and implemented to address the following overarching research questions:

• How can the status of “attractive recreational space” for inner-city green areas be enhanced while simultaneously increasing understanding of nature (conservation) and climate processes?
• How can human and ecological needs on-site be innovatively and sustainably reconciled to foster a reflective and engaged use of parks?

Methodologically, this is achieved through formats that include the public incorporating aspects of diversity, science communication, citizen science initiatives, co-creative workshops and lab formats, guided tours, focus groups and a qualitative survey on usage and recreational preferences. The research design is based on methods from empirical cultural and social research, underpinned by Grounded Theory.
Further information is available on the blog post on the project website (external link in the German language).

The events and surveys are continuously evaluated. Analysis of the topics related to usage, awareness as well as issues at the individual locations also occurs. The data generated is used to identify usage preferences and productive approaches, which, together with the environmental science research data from the University of Oldenburg, will form the basis for the planned hands-on stations. The focus is on integrating human and ecological needs both conceptually and substantively to create a productive atmosphere of interest and rethinking.

The goal of the stations is to communicate the project results over the long term while incorporating the population’s preferences for the recreational development of these locations. Providing knowledge input at various points is considered a key project output to ensure that the capabilities and needs of nature receive greater support and attention over the long term. Project themes and climate knowledge will be conveyed in connection with recreational needs to raise awareness of the value of urban green spaces.

The project aims to serve as a model demonstrating how measures can be designed and implemented within two fundamentally different green spaces to achieve these goals. The project’s approach addresses not only structural climate adaptation but also the mental dimension of individuals, thereby promoting democratic skills and productive participatory processes within society.

Further insights on the project page (External link in the German language).

Publications:

Benthack, S.; Hoops, C. (2024). Partizipation und Klimaanpassungsmaßnahmen im Projekt “Klimaoasen Oldenburg” – Zwischen baulicher und mentaler Klimaresilienz. Berichte aus dem Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch Oldenburg 04, 2023, pp. 70-75. (German-language publication)

Benthack, S.; Pilney, S. (2023). Schlossgarten und Eversten Holz werden klimafit! Projekt “Klimaoasen Oldenburg” startet durch. Berichte aus dem Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch Oldenburg 03, 2022, pp. 52-56. (German-language publication)

Benthack, S. (2023). Klimaoasen Oldenburg. Partizipation für mehr Verbindung zwischen Natur und Mensch. Tagungsband Inter.Aktion, experimenta gGmbH, 2023, pp. 115-119. (German-language publication)

Benthack, S. (2023). Das Projekt Klimaoasen am Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch in Oldenburg. Deutscher Museumsbund, 8. March 2023, accessible via: www.museumsbund.de/das-projekt-klimaoasen-am-landesmuseum-natur-und-mensch-in-oldenburg/ (German-language site) (Status as of 05.02.2023).

Benthack, S. (2022). Klimaoasen in Oldenburg: Kooperationsprojekt entwickelt Maßnahmen für mehr Klimaresilienz. OLround - Mitarbeitendenmagazin der Stadt Oldenburg, 04/2022, p. 11. (German-language publication)

Duration: 01.12.2020 - 30.11.2023 (first initial funding phase) & 01.12.2023 - 30.11.2025 (second funding phase)
Participants at Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch: Dr. Christina Barilaro, Jonas Tischer (01.02.2022 - 31.05.2022), Insa Pohlenga (01.07.2022 - 31.12.2022), Kirsten Preuss (since 01.01.2023)
Funding: German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

In the collaborative project AHOI_MINT, the diverse, high-quality STEM provisions across the Northwest Lower Saxony region are systematically networked through the STEM Cluster NordWest (known in German as the MINT-Cluster). Low-threshold provisions for the approximately 78,000 10 to 16-year-olds across different types of schools are complemented by specific provisions for target groups such as female school children interested in STEM, gifted and talented students or students from migrant backgrounds. Hailing from civil society, municipalities, education, science and business, there are more than 90 association partners, project partners, sponsors, the project coordinator Schlaues Haus Oldenburg, all of whom are key stakeholders in extracurricular, school-based, university-based and corporate STEM education as well as STEM careers.

At the Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch, a teaching and learning approach related to the use of the MINTmach Werkstatt (a STEM workshop group) working within the cluster is being developed. The STEM workshop will create opportunities to learn in meaningful contexts, expanding competencies through investigations or experiments and the application of various methods.

The cluster pursues the STEM education goal of supporting students in developing their problem-solving skills. Individualized learning paths within STEM provisions are created by identifying connections between these provisions and aligning them with the cluster’s own objectives. This enables interest-driven and competency-oriented continued learning within the cluster. Through complementary and synergy networking, the cluster evolves from a network of provisions into a self-reflective and learning network of providers who train each other and offer individualized guidance to students.

Publications:
Barilaro, C. (2022). AHOI_MINT. Der Nordwesten vernetzt sich zur Förderung der MINT-Bildung. Natur im Museum - Mitteilungen der Fachgruppe Naturwissenschaftliche Museen im Deutschen Museumsbund, (12), 55–59. (German-language publication)

Visit the project page of AHOI_MINT (external link in the German language)

In cooperation with the Institute for Applied Photogrammetry and Geoinformatics (IAPG) at Jade University of Applied Sciences in Oldenburg.

The goal is to build and operate the scanner for digitizing the type specimens of Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch as well as to establish an infrastructure for research for the entire type specimen collection of the museum for biological research by third parties.

In cooperation with the German Digital Library and the museums of the PAESE network.
Participant at the Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch: Dr. Ivonne Kaiser.

The goal is to establish a research infrastructure for objects from colonial contexts.

Sögel-Wohlde Schwerter (still ongoing): B. Cornelis, Curt-Engelhorn-Zentrum Archäometrie gGmbH

Anglo-Saxon Migration: University of Jena.

Publication: Stephan Schiffels, U. Warnke, F. Both, et.al. (96 authors), The Anglo-Saxon migration and the formation of the early English gene pool, Springer Nature, Heft 610, Berlin 2022.