Has anyone ever had to cover up their tattoos or take out their piercings under the name of »professionalism«? Or: Has anyone ever been taken less seriously because they dressed less according to the norm of the context? What role models were there when we were growing up who proudly presented their alternative lifestyle to the outside world, despite all the adversity? Gabriella and I have often asked ourselves these questions and wanted to record a podcast about them. She knows these topics primarily from the context of her work: university, where she is currently doing her PhD. For Zwischenräume #12 she talks from her experience about what it's like to be visibly alternative and in academia. Coming from this initial question, we took many detours to finally find out that (surprise!) in the end it can even be an advantage to stand out from the norm. Breaking the habit is essential to get rid of old rusty »traditions«, just as cracking them up from the inside and being a catalyst for future alternative generations ;).

Enjoy this subculturally embedded academic journey and come one step closer to the depths of #darkacademia! (Plus point for all, who got all the LP references in this last part, lol.)