Dr. Jessica Nuske 

In the current era, society is experiencing mounting pressure for transformation. Concurrent with significant challenges to societal well-being, there is a growing perception of a societal divide, a weakening of social cohesion, and a deepening of existing inequalities. These debates also impact the social sciences, compelling them to engage in discussions on societal development.

The social sciences have traditionally been regarded as "crisis sciences”, yet there is a debate surrounding their capacity to offer practical guidance given the complexity and potential misuse of their knowledge. Additionally, the emergence of "alternative facts" and the notion of a "post-factual democracy" have given rise to a dichotomy between scepticism towards and political overdemand of science. Yet it is from this position that the sciences are expected to contribute to the resolution of social crises.

The HWK workshop will explore the potential means by which social sciences can address the mounting demands for societal impact by reflecting on the role of scientific knowledge in a democracy and on the following dilemma: On the one hand, there is pressure to simplify scientific knowledge for the sake of political and social decision-making. On the other hand, there is a need to preserve the complexity and uncertainty that is integral to the scientific method. The fundamental challenge confronting the social sciences is how to maintain their rigour while addressing society's demand for clarity.