Democracies are in crisis. In this context, the representative function of parliaments does not play a sufficiently relevant role in the current discourse.
The research project Re-De-Re aims to explore the procedural and performative dimensions of representation through an interdisciplinary collaboration between political science and design. The goal is to enable an iterative and constructive research process that develops concrete policy recommendations.
Current phenomena are not only analyzed, but interventions are also planned and tested during the course of the project. The initiative is based at the University of Fine Arts Hamburg in cooperation with the Federal University of Applied Administrative Sciences in Brühl. Launched in January 2025, the project is designed to span a five-year period.
Design
of Objects, Processes, InteractionsEngagement
with Mini PublicsTesting
in Political PracticeObservation
of three Members of ParliamentThe project team addresses the current challenges facing democratic representation with the aim of systematically analyzing the mechanisms of interaction between elected representatives and citizens. Based on these insights, the project seeks to develop practical and innovative approaches to citizen-oriented models of political representation.
To this end, the researchers accompany three members of the Bundestag from different political parties over a total of 100 days. The focus lies on a diverse range of activities—within the constituency, the party, and in Berlin—particularly in interactions with parliamentary committees, ministries, and interest groups.
In an experimental co-design process, the researchers collaboratively develop new concepts of political representation together with the MPs and selected practice partners. This collaborative approach is grounded in a transdisciplinary framework that integrates artistic and creative research perspectives with political science expertise and ethnographic methods. Three participatory formats involving citizens and specialized practice partners are embedded in the research methodology, ensuring that public expectations and experiences are meaningfully incorporated into the design process.
Academic
Members of Parliament
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MdB Sepp Müller
holds a diploma in banking administration, worked as a financial advisor, and has represented the Dessau-Wittenberg constituency in the Bundestag since 2021. He is deeply committed to promoting the local interests of his home region at the federal level.
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MdB Hanna Steinmüller
(Bündnis 90/Die Grünen)was directly elected as a member of parliament for Berlin-Mitte in 2021. After studying social sciences, she became active early on as a political advisor in Berlin. She serves on the Committee for Housing, Urban Development, Construction, and Municipal Affairs.
-
MdB Armand Zorn
(SPD)has represented constituency 182 (Frankfurt am Main I) as a directly elected member of parliament since 2021. Born in Cameroon, he came to Germany in 2000 and studied political and administrative sciences. He serves on the Digital Committee and is a member of the Parliamentary Advisory Board on Sustainable Development.
Civil Society
Team
Prof. Dr. Friedrich von Borries teaches design theory at the University of Fine Arts Hamburg. His research focuses on the relationship between society and design, with particular attention to sustainability and the potential for societal transformation. He works at the intersection of architecture, design, and art.
Prof. Dr. Sven T. Siefken is professor of political science at the Federal University of Applied Administrative Sciences. His current work focuses on coalition politics, parliamentary committees, parliaments during the pandemic, and the future of democratic representation. More information: www.siefken.org
Juliane Baruck is research associate at the University of Fine Arts Hamburg. She specializes in designing participatory processes and is a member of the federal board of the organization Mehr Demokratie. Additionally, she leads various projects at the think tank Das Progressive Zentrum and the association Demokratie Innovation, all of which aim to promote a resilient democracy, representation, and citizen participation.
Philipp Cartier is research associate at the University of Fine Arts Hamburg and pursuing a doctorate on the emergence and significance of political drafts. In 2022, together with other allies, he founded Gestaltungszentrale Politik e.V., an organization that promotes the transformation of political culture through practical initiatives within the political sphere.
Christian Ignorek is research associate at the University of Fine Arts Hamburg, at the Institute for Parliamentary Research as well as the Netzwerk Berlin. His research focuses on political leadership, representation, and local politics. Among other projects, he investigates the understanding of representation held by members of the Bundestag within the framework of the “Comparative Parliamentary Representation Network” research project.
Demokratie Innovation e.V. is the organization behind the initiative Es geht LOS, which is committed to the innovation and development of sortition-based democratic formats. Central to their work is the inclusion of diverse perspectives, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups. The expertise gained from the project "Hallo Bundestag," which strengthens representation between Bundestag members and the public at the constituency level, is being applied within the research project: the organization examines the question of representation from the perspective of the population and will implement sortition-based participatory formats as part of this effort.
Der Deutsche Design Club e.V. (DDC) is the leading association for outstanding designers across all disciplines in Germany. Its focus lies on issues related to the transformation of the design industry, as well as the application of design in business and society. Within the framework of the research project, ddc contributes this diverse design expertise through various formats such as workshops and competitions. Additionally, as a network hub, ddc provides access to a wide range of designers.
Contakt
For inquiries about the research project, please contact: redesign-democracy@hfbk-hamburg.de
Press contact: Beate Anspach | HFBK Hamburg | Lerchenfeld 2 | 22081 Hamburg | Tel. +49 40 42 89 89 405 | beate.anspach@hfbk.hamburg.de
We have established a newsletter for the research project that provides irregular updates: Subscription
Impressum
Redesigning Democratic Representation is a joint research project led by Prof. Dr. Friedrich von Borries (HFBK Hamburg) and Prof. Dr. Sven T. Siefken (Federal University of Applied Administrative Sciences).
The project’s cooperation partners are the German Design Club (DDC) and the association Demokratie Innovation.
The project is funded by the VolkswagenStiftung.
This website is published as part of the research project Redesign Democratic Representation (ReDeRe).
The provider of this website is the University of Fine Arts Hamburg, legally represented by its president, Martin Köttering.
Address
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22081 Hamburg
Tel.: +49 40 42 89 89-405
E-Mail: webmaster@hfbk.hamburg.de
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Design & Programming
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A project of the Hamburg University of Fine Arts and the Federal University of Applied Administrative Sciences. In cooperation with the German Design Club (DDC) and Demokratie Innovation e.V. Funded by the Volkswagen Foundation. Cooperation partner: World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026
The website is a project of the HFBK Hamburg as part of the Hamburg Open Online University.
