Transformative Scholarism Meets Authoritarian Ecomodernism: Friedemann Wiese as Guest Speaker at the JTC Colloquium
On January 21st 2026, the JTC Colloquium welcomed Friedemann Wiese as guest speaker to conclude the winter-term lecture series. Wiese is a doctoral candidate and researcher at the Graduate Programme on Crisis and Socio-Ecological Transformation. The presentation combined the theoretical framework of his studies with the practical implementation by introducing empirical research findings on Tesla Factory workers in Grünheide, Brandenburg. The event was organized by Dr. Timm Sureau, Team Lead at the JTC A7 Team for Transregional Just Transition Governance.
The Graduate Programme on Crisis and Socio-Ecological Transformation
Wiese first introduced the research programme enabling his current works. The Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung and Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin launched an interdisciplinary graduate research programme in 2021 with the aim of increasing empirical knowledge about transformation contexts and developing theoretical frameworks that address socio-ecological crises. The program brings together scholars from anthropology, sociology, political science, geography, and related fields, operating on a transdisciplinary basis.
Edited Volume – Struggles for Transformation: Critical Analyses and Interventions on the Socio-Ecological Crisis
Subsequently, Wiese elaborated on a recent joint publication of the programme titled “Struggles for Transformation: Critical Analyses and Interventions on the Socio-Ecological Crisis”. The edited volume aims to disrupt conventional scientific practices by fostering multidisciplinarity, strengthening debate across academia, civil society and activism.
The volume’s core finding emerges from the gap between several theoretical frameworks identified: there is an urgent need for progressive practical approaches that transcend theoretical positioning and engage with concrete political strategies and implementation. The research suggests that transformation requires grounding theory in the lived struggles and concrete needs of communities, workers, and movements engaged in socio-ecological change. This finding matches with the JTC approach: Networking and engaging with local stakeholders is key to enabling actual changes towards a just transition.
Transformative Scholarism – Four Core Dimensions
Wiese then outlined core concepts of his methodological foundation that he has spelled out together with Carla Noever Castelos in a contribution to the presented volume. He explained transformative scholarism as a distinct research paradigm grounded in four key principles: reciprocity, positionality, epistemological justice and solidarity. Transformative scholarism is not simply a methodological toolkit but a commitment to aligning knowledge production with emancipatory struggles.
Current Research – Tesla’s Authoritarian Ecomodernism in Grünheide
To conclude, Wiese elaborated on how he applied his methodology in a current research project. His current research revolves around workers at Tesla’s disputed Gigafactory in Grünheide. He focuses on the research question “How do production workers perceive and negotiate labour within the factory, and how do these experiences relate to a broader socio-ecological transformation?”
When formal access to the factory appeared to be difficult Wiese adopted an innovative fieldwork method he called “Train Talks,” where he would interview staff on their ride to the factory. The challenge of gaining field access revealed some early critical insights into a corporate policy that does not encourage, but rather hinders unwanted public communication, even extending to limit employees’ ability to express their perspectives and opinions. Wiese identified this as a rather authoritarian practice that stood in stark contrast to the ideals of critical (self-)reflection, multiperspectivity, and solidarity that he associated before with transformative practices in academia and beyond.
Key take-aways
His presentation articulated a vision of scholarship and activism oriented toward justice-based transformation. It showcased the importance of interdisciplinary and innovate approaches to just transition research. We could identify multiple approaches we share, particularly giving effect to a close dialogue between us as researchers and local stakeholders, including individuals, businesses and authorities. We thank Friedemann Wiese for his time and hope to welcome him again soon at the JTC.
Further links:
Link to Project Page “Graduate Programme on Crisis and Socio-Ecological Transformation”: Graduiertenkolleg Krise und sozial-ökologische Transformation
Link to Project Page Team A7: Team A7 Transregional Just Transition Governance | European Center of Just Transition Research and Impact-Driven Transfer