Pablo Abend

Pablo Abend is a Professor of Design Theory at Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design (BURG). From 2023 to 2024, he held the Ander Visiting Professorship in Geomedia Studies at Karlstad University, Sweden. His teaching at BURG emphasizes critical self-reflection, design theory education, and design-based research methods.

Education:

• Studied Media at the University of Siegen
• PhD in Media Studies (2013) from the University of Siegen, with his dissertation Geobrowsing published by transcript Verlag.

Research Focus:
Pablo’s research explores the history, aesthetics, and societal impacts of designed artifacts and media practices. He investigates how design interacts with economic, cultural, and ecological contexts, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches combining cybernetics, semiotics, media studies, and new materialism. His work addresses the dynamic relationship between design theory and practice.

Teaching Experience:

• Lecturer with special responsibilities at the Institute for Media Culture and Theater, University of Cologne
• Currently teaches courses like Introduction to Design Theory and Master Colloquium at BURG
• Focuses on theoretical texts, group presentations, and research-oriented practical exercises

Awards and Grants:

• Recipient of a DFG project grant for studying participatory design practices in digital gaming culture
• PhD scholarship at the graduate school 'Locating Media/Situated Media'

Editorial Roles:
Former journal editor of Navigationen. Zeitschrift für Medien- und Kulturwissenschaften and Digital Culture and Society.