NODUS TALKS: More-Than-Human Futures

When:
28.05.2026 16:15 – 17:45

Where:
Oodi Helsinki Central Library Saarikoski rug, 3rd floor

Registration period:
04.05.2026 - 28.05.2026 16:00

Event language(s):
English 

Ida Nilstad Pettersen is Professor in Design for Sustainability Transitions at the Department of Design, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), in Trondheim, Norway. Her research addresses topics such as everyday practices, sustainability transitions, participation, consumption, and urban nature.

In response to climate and ecological emergencies and the need for societal transformation, dominant ways of thinking and working are being challenged. In design and other fields, ways of acknowledging relations to non-human nature are explored, along with alternatives to human-centred approaches. What can this look like in practice, and what kind of challenge is it to achieve such a shift? Focusing on urban contexts, the talk will draw on examples from previous and ongoing projects, including collaborative, interdisciplinary and cross-sector work across some of the many groups, beings and entities that inhabit and shape cities.

Gloria Lauterbach is an artistic researcher with a DA (Doctor of Arts) from Aalto University. She works with a dialogical sustainability focusing on darkness as well as winds and storms as an urban restoration force. Gloria specializes on urban habitation strategies in times of polycrisis in general and the question on how to reconceptualize anthropogenic infrastructures (such as lighting infrastructures) in particular.

Darkness is an increasingly rare yet immensely valuable agent in and for urban environments. Despite growing attention to light pollution and its negative impact on the health of humans, wildlife, and nature, the presence and quality of urban darkness continue to decline. Research is clear: urban darkness supports urban health. In practice, however, re-introducing darkness into cities means cutting across many systems—residents’ need for nighttime rest can conflict with outdoor activities during dark seasons; updated urban lighting regulations can conflict with effects of digital advertising displays; or immediate safety concerns can challenge future planning visions. This talk highlights one approach suited for researching darkness as a complex agent. An ongoing research collaboration with the residents of Suomenlinna will enable to portrait a specific darkness as well as the diversity of stakeholders needed for a collective and creative research journey.

All welcome! We’d appreciate if you register using this link but registration is not mandatory.