In early 2026, Bielefeld University will launch a new teutolab: the teutolab for social sciences. For the first time, it adds a humanities-based focus to the well-established teutolabs that are widely known across the region as extracurricular learning spaces. Project lead Tim Schubert explains: “We want to offer young people a space where they can explore social issues without fear, in a self-directed and critical way. Especially now, young people need to feel that their voices are being heard.”
The new programme emerges at a time of profound social challenges. Around the world, autocracies are gaining influence while democracies are under pressure. At the same time, many young people feel that their political perspectives are not taken seriously, even though around 80 per cent say they want to actively shape political processes. Studies show that those who experience themselves as self-efficacious – as individuals who can make a difference – are more likely to engage politically. This is precisely where the teutolab comes in.
Everyday life, conflict and orientation
The first pilot programme will start in February 2026 for Year 11 students. Titled “Can We Love Each Other?”, it addresses an issue that deeply concerns many young people: social division and the fear of hostility. The programme provides orientation on fundamental political questions, such as distribution and resource allocation. Key terms such as “polarisation” (the increasing sharpening of opposing positions) or “fake news” (deliberately false information) are explained in an accessible way, developed by the students themselves and explored through hands-on activities.
A central goal is to help young people find ways out of algorithmically filtered social media bubbles. As platforms such as Instagram or TikTok are key sources of information for many, students learn in the teutolab to critically evaluate content and to engage constructively with differing perspectives.
Learning that makes a difference
The learning environment follows a constructivist approach, in which students actively build knowledge rather than simply absorbing it. In open and self-organised phases of work, they use digital learning environments alongside deliberately chosen hands-on methods. This strengthens their critical judgement, methodological skills and confidence in their own agency.
The teutolab for social sciences is embedded in a research project developed by Professor Dr Udo Hagedorn and project lead Schubert. It examines how social learning processes in school settings differ from those in extracurricular learning environments. “For the humanities and social sciences, this is something new that we are building here. We are very much looking forward to opening the programme to schools and to working with young people,” says Hagedorn.
Further programmes on “Democracy” and “Human–AI Teams” are already in planning, also in close collaboration with other researchers at Bielefeld University.
The new teutolab sees itself as a network partner within the university. It brings together expertise and opens up a space for young people to actively shape the future – with informed perspectives and their own voices.