Prof. Dr. Tabea Bork-Hüffer
Professor of Human Geography, Director of the HCE since 2026
My research lies at the intersection of society, technology, and the environment. I am particularly interested in three questions:
- How do digital technologies change the way we live together as a society, our vulnerability and resilience, and our relationships with the environment?
- How can the interconnections between society, technology, and the environment be empirically studied as they unfold, especially in times of change? How can digital methods be used productively in this context?
- How can research involving people in vulnerable life situations and societal stakeholders be designed in a way that strengthens inclusion, promotes acceptance, and enables the development of sustainable solutions through collaboration?
Why I joined the HCE
I was already familiar with the HCE long before I transferred to Heidelberg University in 2025. I was particularly drawn to the center’s interdisciplinary focus and the opportunity to address environmental issues in the context of societal and technological changes. I am very much looking forward to contributing my international experience and networks from the past 13 years—including those from the University of Innsbruck, the University of Birmingham, the National University of Singapore, and Sun Yat-sen University—to this network and to connecting with new colleagues at the HCE.
My highlights so far
Since I’m still relatively new at HCE, what has stood out to me so far isn’t so much individual major events as it is what underpins good interdisciplinary collaboration in everyday life: the exchange with highly dedicated colleagues, openness to different perspectives, and the many stimulating conversations that give rise to new ideas and potential collaborations. It is precisely this “day-to-day” aspect that stands out as a special highlight for me, because it lays the foundation for long-term, productive collaboration.
My key partners
Although I haven’t been a member for very long, the first collaborations have already taken shape, and more are in the works. What’s particularly important to me right now are the connections with colleagues at COS, HIGH, heiGIT, HCIAS, and, of course, the Institute of Geography. What I especially appreciate about the HCE is that it brings together disciplinary proximity and interdisciplinary openness, thereby fostering new shared perspectives on environmental issues.