Overcoming the Theory-Practice Gap: Designing formats that enable new forms of knowledge production
About the Event
THE NEW INSTITUTE (2016-2025) aimed to combine academic research, public engagement, and practical initiatives in order to rethink societal systems — from democracy and capitalism to sustainability and human coexistence. It brought together an international cohort of scholars, artists, policymakers, and activists in a residential, collaborative setting, where participants could live, work, and exchange ideas over extended periods. This talk presented an overview of the mission, strategies, results, and challenges of this endeavor. Dr. Katsman presented a plea for a new academic culture that supports collaboration and practical impact.
About the Speaker
Anna Katsman is a philosopher from NY and worked as the Academic Director of THE NEW INSTITUTE from 2023-5. Her philosophical orientation is informed by Hegel, critical theory, and psychoanalysis. Alongside her academic career, Anna is a Contact Improvisation dancer engaged in ongoing research into embodied social agency.