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Human-Animal-Machine Research: Participate and Understand Communication!
The Viadrina researchers under Prof. Dr. Miriam Lind investigates human-animal-machine interactions for new communication research.
Human-Animal-Machine Research: Participate and Understand Communication!
On June 12, 2025, researchers at the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) will be looking for participants who live with pets or use voice assistants. Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Miriam Lind, Professor of Language Practices in Media Cultures, the Emmy Noether research group "Posthumanistic Linguistics? Communicative Practices between People, Animals and Machines" aims to research human communication behavior. A central concern of the study is the analysis of interactions between people, animals and voice-controlled devices.
The research is supported by cameras that document interactions in the home environment. This allows scientists to systematically examine changes in communication over a period of two to three weeks. Participants are given control over what data they want to share. The recording is repeated for a week after several weeks to obtain a detailed picture of the interaction dynamics. europa-uni.de reports that the project is intended to provide valuable insights into the role of pets and voice assistance systems in everyday life.
Research priorities and sub-projects
The Emmy Noether group is divided into various sub-projects that deal with linguistic and multimodal interaction. Explore these projects:
- Die Genese und Routinisierung von Praktiken posthumanistischer Kommunikation.
- Die Integration dieser Praktiken in zwischenmenschliche Interaktionen.
- Die Verhandlung ontologischer Grenzziehungen zwischen Menschen und Nichtmenschen.
The focus is on examining the direct interaction between people and voice assistance systems as well as pets. The involvement of animals in the mediatized human environment is also examined. kuwi.europa-uni.de also addresses the technologically mediated forms of the category of human-animal communication and animal-machine interaction.
Methodology and objectives of the study
The researchers aim to develop an empirically based linguistic theory of posthumanistic communicative practices. Qualitative methods such as videographic analysis, participant observation and ethnographic interviews are used. The communication relationships between people, animals and machines are viewed symmetrically.
The project team is made up of experienced researchers, including Prof. Dr. Miriam Lind as well as Marlén Jacobshagen and Hannah Sawall. The aim of the study is not only the historical analysis of communication, but also the understanding of the ideologies of language and communication in an increasingly networked world.
Overall, Viadrina's research offers an exciting perspective on the role of animals and voice-controlled devices in our everyday lives and their influence on interpersonal communication patterns.