A new episode of the SFB 1280 podcast has been released – this time on a topic that only very vaguely touches on extinction learning, but is extremely relevant to society: loneliness. Fortunately, loneliness is a topic that many people are currently talking about – even politicians have recognized that loneliness is a relevant social, socio-political and health policy issue and not just an individual problem. Scientific research into the phenomenon of loneliness has also contributed to this. It’s time for us to address this topic too.
– And preferably in theory and practice! We have invited the ideal discussion partners for precisely this. Because at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, there is strong research into loneliness and a very special initiative against loneliness, which the SFB 1280 is supporting. Prof. Dr. Maike Luhmann is considered one of the most important German loneliness researchers and therefore regularly advises politicians. And our second guest, Ruhr University photographer Tim Kramer, together with his colleague Sonja Israel, has launched an initiative against loneliness that has struck a nerve: “eigen.” is the name of their association, which aims to bring loneliness out of the shadows and carries out very concrete actions to give lonely people occasions to talk about their loneliness or simply to be in regular company.

The SFB 1280 Ö project has supported and intensively accompanied the largest of the “eigen.” campaigns to date: The “eigen.regie” event on June 18, 2024 at Schauspielhaus Bochum – an almost sold-out evening event with live music, poetry slam and a panel discussion with prominent and committed people from the worlds of culture, politics, sport and science. And next to it: A whole week of workshops for a joint search for solutions on the occasion of the nationwide campaign week “Together against loneliness”, which was proclaimed by the Federal Ministry for Families, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

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