Visit of Professor Sebastian Merkel (Ruhr University Bochum) to the Institute of Sociology

On 9 December 2025, the Faculty of Economics and Sociology at the University of Łódź hosted a lecture by Professor Sebastian Merkel entitled How Sociotechnical Imaginaries Shape Mental Health Chatbots: Findings from Interviews with Designers. The lecture focused on the socio-technological conditions shaping the design of chatbots used in the field of mental health.

On 11 December 2025, Professor Merkel also took part in an open academic meeting of the Department of Rural and Urban Studies and Sociology of Social Change, which provided a space for in-depth exchange of ideas and research experience.

The academic host of Professor Sebastian Merkel’s stay at the University of Łódź was prof. Tomasz Drabowicz (Institute of Sociology, Department of Rural and Urban Studies and Sociology of Social Change).

One of the most valuable aspects of the visit was the active engagement of students, which resulted in lively and inspiring discussions during the academic meetings.

The visit serves as an excellent example of the UNIC – European University of Cities in Post-Industrial Transition network in action, effectively linking research, teaching, and international academic cooperation.