Elisabeth Heyne

Dr. Elisabeth Heyne is a researcher at the Museum of Natural History Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Research in Berlin, where she leads significant projects at the intersection of environmental humanities, cultural studies, and participatory museum practices. Her work focuses on collecting practices in the Anthropocene, examining how museums can engage with contemporary environmental challenges through collaborative and citizen-driven approaches.

Heyne's research spans multiple disciplines, with particular emphasis on the cultural dimensions of the Anthropocene, East German environmental history, literary studies (especially German literature), and the politics of knowledge production. She explores how cultural narratives, historical perspectives, and aesthetic approaches shape our understanding of environmental change. Her work often bridges the gap between scientific research and cultural interpretation, examining how natural history collections can be reimagined for contemporary challenges.

Her publications reveal a strong focus on participatory methodologies, with numerous collaborative works examining how museums can transform into spaces of co-creation rather than mere repositories of knowledge. She investigates the role of citizen science, community engagement, and participatory collection practices in addressing environmental challenges. Her work often centers on the German context, particularly examining East German perspectives on environmental change and the legacy of industrial landscapes.

Heyne has been actively involved in numerous collaborative research projects, particularly 'The Nature of Things: A Participatory Collection of the Anthropocene' which explores innovative approaches to collecting in the age of humans. Her publications span academic journals, edited volumes, and public-facing materials designed for educational purposes, reflecting her commitment to both scholarly rigor and public engagement.

She has contributed to important discussions about the role of museums in the Anthropocene, particularly regarding decolonization, environmental justice, and the transformation of traditional collection practices. Her work often examines how historical perspectives, particularly from the German context, can inform contemporary environmental challenges and solutions.