Under the direction of Olaf Kramer, the Presentation Competence Research Unit at the Rhetoric Department of Tübingen University began its work in July 2011, investigating communication processes within the knowledge society and addressing the relation between rhetoric and knowledge, particularly with regard to scientific discourse. Made possible by the Klaus Tschira Foundation, the development of communicative competence has since been researched here, new methods of rhetoric didactics have been developed and the conception of the nationwide school project Jugend präsentiert has been scientifically monitored. This approach also enables innovative empirical research into rhetorical concepts and perspectives.
One focus of this interdisciplinary and methodologically diverse work at the interface of theory and practice is the communication format "presentation". Exercises, training and materials for teachers and pupils (from elementary school to upper secondary level) have been developed specifically for the context of science lessons. These are freely available to all schools. The project staff in Tübingen also carry out pupil training and teacher training courses throughout Germany. More than 500 teachers throughout Germany have been trained as multipliers for Jugend präsentiert.
