Felix Schiedlowski

Felix Schiedlowski is a Researcher at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Regional Studies and Centre for Just Transition and Sustainability at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. His work focuses on the politics of transformation, particularly in the context of coal phase-out and structural change in Eastern Germany's Central German Mining District and Northern Ireland.

Research Interests:

• Politics of Transformation – Change, Continuity, Gaps
• Post-fossil Society – Phasing-out Coal in Eastern Germany
• Energy Transition: The Unwinding of Coal
• Urban Change: Peace in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Schiedlowski's research examines the temporal dimensions of structural change, particularly how communities navigate the transition from coal-dependent economies to post-fossil societies. His anthropological approach emphasizes 'gaps' in transformation processes and challenges optimistic narratives about the future, advocating for realistic expectations about structural change. His work combines ethnographic methods with policy analysis to understand social and political implications of energy transitions.

His publications demonstrate consistent focus on temporal aspects of structural change across both German and Northern Irish contexts. The research bridges anthropology, energy policy, and political science, with particular emphasis on how communities experience and negotiate transitions. His 2025 article 'Thinking with Gaps between Coal and Post-Coal' represents the culmination of this research trajectory.

Scientific Awards:

• Promos studentship of German Academic Exchange Service (2017)

Schiedlowski actively engages in public anthropology through media appearances, lectures, and citizen participation initiatives. He has participated in MDR television shows, given lectures at public science events, and been interviewed for radio programs and podcasts about structural change. His work emphasizes translating academic insights into practical considerations for community engagement in transition processes.

He collaborates with the SLEG Lab at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Regional Studies and has worked with institutions including the Max Planck Institute for Ethnological Research and the European Humanities University Vilnius on projects related to post-carbon futures and structural change.