Before joining Social Science Works, she was a researcher at the Potsdam-Institute for Climate Impact Research, a consultant at Micro Energy International, and a counselor at Flüchtlingshilfe Babelsberg e.V.
One of Mirjam’s research interests focuses on the construction of identity. Her Master thesis was about the hybrid ethnic identities of students belonging to the second generation of Turkish immigrants in Germany. The work reflects on, what migrants often describe as, the crossing of borders between two or more cultural backgrounds. Referring to postcolonial theories Mirjam shows how these young people, who can be regarded as examples of successful integration, create a ‘third space’ with new ethnic identities beyond assimilation into, or demarcation from, the German culture.
Another of her research interests lies in the role of citizens in transformation processes. Examples are the sustainability transformation, but also digitalization and demographic change. Central questions are how citizens can become change agents, actors inventing new ways of living, new products and services which later become general social practices. That implies people taking an active role in the transformation process instead of being guided by powerful social groups. Obviously, this topic is driven by the political quest for more democracy, empowerment and social justice.
At Social Science Works Mirjam is involved in various projects. E.g., she designed and is facilitating the empowerment of refugee woman workshop. She also developed a workshop program for deliberation with prisoners, coached a group of youngsters in the deliberation in web 2.0 project, and is participating in consultant activities like the Rangsdorf Future Workshop.