Fusion - Transformation of rural-industrialized areas as a field of action for the University of Siegen

The challenges

The Siegen university region in the border triangle of South Westphalia and the two neighboring districts of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate to the south is a highly industrialized yet rural region that will have to deal with enormous socially relevant challenges in the coming years. Digitalization, decarbonization and demographic change will make it necessary for this region to undergo a far-reaching transformation process. Furthermore, the future of rural-industrialized regions is of great importance for the economic, social and ecological prosperity and political stability of liberal democracies. If people living in rural regions are not offered the prospect of a good quality of life in the future, liberal democracies tend to destabilize. Authoritarian, populist or even right-wing extremist movements gain supporters and political influence (see e.g. USA, former GDR, Poland, Hungary or Slovenia).

The Chair of Human-Centered Information Systems is involved in sub-project 2. Sub-project 2, "Work and Digital", focuses on the challenges facing industry, SMEs and the skilled trades in the region.

Objective & method

The fundamental objective of Fusion is to strengthen networking in the region (e.g. municipalities, industry) and within the university in order to address the challenges of the region and thus initiate a transformation of the university and the region and to further deepen knowledge co-production. Knowledge co-production here means, on the one hand, dealing with research questions with direct relevance and utility value for the region and the resulting innovation impulses for scientific knowledge acquisition, and on the other hand, that these research questions are dealt with in a transdisciplinary, closely networked manner with regional actors from business, culture, politics and civil society.

Sub-project 2, "Work and Digital", has three objectives: Integration of new manufacturing options for toolmaking (e.g. additive manufacturing), development of business model innovations and smart services exemplary for toolmaking and support for skilled workers in the increasingly complex technology and work process using XR technologies (augmented reality and virtual reality). The latter objective is being addressed by the Chair of Human-Centered Information Systems, using the approach of human-centered software development and focusing on craftsmanship, which is little considered in current research.

Expected impact / transfer

The cooperation between the region and the university should demonstrate exemplary solutions for the future of rural-industrialized areas, which can be transferred to other rural-industrialized regions.

For sub-project 2, "Work and Digital", and the goal of supporting skilled workers, several XR prototypes will be developed and tested with the skilled trades and industry. This supports research in the field of skilled trades and XR technologies and leads to recommendations for the use of technology for other skilled trades and rural-industrialized regions.