Michelle Christensen

Michelle Christensen is a Visiting Professor for Open Science & Critical Culture at the Technische Universität Berlin, Faculty I Humanities and Educational Sciences, and the Einstein Center Digital Future (ECDF). She is also a Principal Investigator in the 'Object, Space, Agency' project at the Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity, Humboldt University of Berlin, and co-leads the research group 'Design, Diversity and New Commons' at the Berlin University of the Arts and Weizenbaum Institute.

• B.A. International Development, Roskilde University
• M.A. Conflict Studies, University of Utrecht
• M.Sc. Gender Studies, University of Amsterdam
• M.A. Integrated Design, Cologne University of Applied Sciences
• Dr. phil. (Ph.D.) in Design Research, Berlin University of the Arts

Michelle Christensen's research lies at the intersection of sociology, design, and critical theory. Her work critically examines the politics of objects, material-sociology, and the democratic potential of open technologies. She is deeply engaged in feminist/queer, decolonial, and post-anthropocentric approaches to design, exploring how technology can be reimagined through inclusive, pluralistic, and activist-oriented practices. Her research emphasizes transdisciplinarity and blurs boundaries between academia, activism, and civil society.

Her recent publications and projects, such as 'Critical Inquiry + Design' and 'Politics of the Machines – Rogue Research,' reflect a strong focus on AI ethics, data embodiment, open science, and the design of more-than-human technoecologies. She frequently organizes transdisciplinary symposia and studio classes that bring together diverse fields to prototype critical perspectives on technology and society.

Scientific awards and recognitions include:

• Humanity in Action Fellow
• Congressional Fellow in the United States Congress

Michelle Christensen has advised and collaborated with numerous students and researchers through studio classes and project-based teaching. She has secured and led major interdisciplinary research initiatives, including those funded by ECDF, Weizenbaum Institute, and international academic networks. Her work often involves collaboration with institutions across Europe, Africa, and North America, emphasizing global knowledge exchange and equity.

She is actively involved in research collectives and labs, including the Berlin Open Lab (UdK/TU Berlin), the Design Research Lab (UdK Berlin), and the Weizenbaum Institute. Her collaborative work with Florian Conradi forms a central part of her practice, combining critical inquiry with experimental design to challenge dominant technological paradigms.