Impact of two decades of Knowledge and Space
Findings of a survey amog the participants
The Data
© Knowledge and Space
Over two decades, the Knowledge and Space symposia brought together 280 participants from 179 universities and institutes in 28 countries. Researchers from over 50 disciplines - ranging from geography and sociology to architecture and economics - met at Villa Bosch in Heidelberg to discuss the spatial dimensions of knowledge. The team conducted a survey of 280 former participants with almost half of them responding to the questionnaire. The data show not only the wide range of disciplinary diversity, but also the intensity of the scientific exchange: after having attended the symposia, the respondents reported 470 new or intensified academic relationships. This empirical finding offers a rare quantitative insight into the long-term effects of intimate, interdisciplinary scientific events. The results show that the format promoted both intellectual curiosity and sustainable cooperation, and that meaningful academic exchange thrives best in carefully designed, personal settings.
Making Connections: Bringing Top-Scientists Together
New and intensified relations between the participants created during and after the symposia. | © Jakob Hoffmann
A key objective of the symposia was to initiate new academic relationships across disciplinary boundaries. Prior to participation, 61% of all participants had no previous contact among each other – a deliberate design element to maximize novelty and intellectual cross-fertilization. Afterwards, the network maps told a clear story: one-third of all possible relationships had intensified, and 11% were completely new connections. These included collaborations on research projects, joint publications, and invitations to future conferences. In addition, the analysis showed that geography played a central connecting role, linking researchers from anthropology, psychology, economics, and political science. Such results illustrate that intimate, discussion-based meeting formats can effectively "rewire" academic communities. Instead of reinforcing existing silos, the "Knowledge and Space" symposia created a dense network of connections that opened up new perspectives on space, places, and the role of geography in understanding knowledge.
Broadening Horizons: Sensitizing Academics for Space
© Knowledge and Space
A key ambition of Knowledge and Space was to engage academics across the disciplines in understandings of the spatial dimension of knowledge production. The results were striking: about 70% of participants reported that the symposia inspired them to integrate geographical concepts into their work. Anthropologists, psychologists, and architects described how their perspectives on “space” evolved, from seeing it as a neutral backdrop to understanding it as a dynamic social construct. Also experienced geographers acknowledged that the discussions enriched their own notions of spatiality. The events provided a rare arena where spatial thinking transcended disciplinary borders, influencing how participants conceptualized networks, institutions, and creativity. In this way, the series not only promoted geography as a field but also sensitized other disciplines to spatial thinking, embedding the idea that knowledge is always located, relational, and shaped by the contexts in which it is produced and exchanged.
Take Aways: What Participants Enjoyed Most
© Knowledge and Space
Participants consistently described Knowledge and Space as an intellectual oasis, a rare escape from the rushed, fragmented reality of modern academia. The unique event design - thirty-minute talks followed by thirty-minute discussions, without a public audience - created an atmosphere of genuine engagement. Scholars valued the opportunity for deep reflection and high-level brainstorming, as well as the convivial setting that encouraged informal conversations during shared meals, walks, and excursions. Many reported that the experience expanded their theoretical horizons and strengthened their professional networks. The accompanying open-access book series allowed participants to publish and disseminate their insights widely, reaching audiences far beyond Germany. For early-career researchers in particular, the symposia offered visibility, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities that shaped their careers. In a world of oversized, overstimulated conferences, Knowledge and Space demonstrated that the most transformative learning happens through slow, focused dialogue among curious minds.