Prof. Dr.

Stefan Selke

About Stefan Selke

I initially studied Aviation and Aerospace Technology, then later sociology, philosophy, anthropology and Portuguese literature. I was a recipient of a two-year grant for talented students awarded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and from 1999-2002 I got my PhD in sociology at the University of Bonn. My doctoral thesis was about the role of private photos in providing meaning in life.

As a project manager at the “infas Institute for Empirical Social Science GmbH” I led nearly 40 empirical projects (1998-2002). After holding some positions as an academic researcher at different universities (Villingen-Schwenningen, Karlsruhe), I now hold the position of a full professor of sociology at the Furtwangen University. I am a member of the Faculty of “Health, Safety, Society” with a current position of a research professor for “Transformative and Public Science”. My main interests are public dialogues, public engagement of universities and narratives in public science. I was appointed visiting professor at Huddersfield University (UK) in 2018.

As member of the Institute for Applied Research I regularly conduct interdisciplinary research projects, mainly in the field of digitalisation (Self-Tracking, ethical frameworks, etc.). I currently manage research projects with a total funding of € 3 million. Furthermore, I am involved in research on social utopias and the sociology of space exploration.

I have written 5 books, around 150 articles for journal, and published 15 scientific anthologies. As an active public sociologist, I am a frequent guest in the media. My public appearances include contributions to 50 TV shows, 150 radio programmes, 150 newspaper interviews and essays, and experiences as a science slammer, blogger, film-maker and public lecturer (300+).