Silvia Henke

Silvia Henke is a Professor of Cultural Theory at the Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art (HSLU DFK), part of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. She serves as Dean and Head of the +Reflect-Module. Her academic journey includes a licentiate thesis (1990) and a doctorate (1998) in German literature and cultural studies from the University of Basel. A renowned cultural scholar and journalist, she has held leadership roles in transdisciplinary initiatives since 2003.

Education: Studied German and French Philology, Philosophy at the Universities of Basel and Hamburg. Completed her habilitation in 1998 with a dissertation on dramatic theory and representation in modern theater.

Research Interests: Focus on aesthetic education, transcultural pedagogy, feminist pornography, contemporary art and religion, and transdisciplinary practices. Her work bridges art, philosophy, and cultural critique, emphasizing transformative educational strategies and critical engagement with postmigrant societies.

Key Projects: Founded the publication series 'Organ' (2008) and collaborated with L'arc (2009) on art and public discourse. Active in initiatives like the 'Eco-Social Innovation by Design' PhD program and the 'Video Essay. Futures of Audiovisual Research and Teaching'.

Awards: Recipient of the national prize for academic linguistic quality (1991) for her licentiate thesis on Rahel Levin Varnhagen's epistolary poetry.

Labs/Teams: Oversees the +Reflect-Module, fostering interdisciplinary research. Collaborates with institutions like the Rehmann Museum and engages in public lectures on art, culture, and societal issues.