BIOGRAPHY
Lauren Reid is a curator, researcher, and educator working across anthropology, science and technology studies (STS), and exhibition-making. She holds a PhD in Social and Cultural Anthropology from Freie Universität Berlin, where her dissertation—Thinking Beyond the Final Frontier: Cosmic Futures in Thailand—examined how space exploration is imagined and practiced in Thailand. She is currently a guest researcher at the Center of Methods, Leuphana University, where she teaches qualitative approaches including ethnographic, arts-based, and visual culture methods.
Lauren is Co-Director of insitu collective, Co-Founder of the Project Space Festival Berlin, and has taught curatorial practice at Node Centre for Curatorial Studies since 2012. Her work spans exhibitions, academic research, and visual storytelling, with a focus on outer space, animism, ecology, and techno-scientific imaginaries. As a curator, she creates immersive, multi-sensory environments that invite audiences into the world of a topic—be it a outer space, a future nuclear waste repository, or a fictional character.
Lauren is Co-Director of insitu collective, Co-Founder of the Project Space Festival Berlin, and has taught curatorial practice at Node Centre for Curatorial Studies since 2012. Her work spans exhibitions, academic research, and visual storytelling, with a focus on outer space, animism, ecology, and techno-scientific imaginaries. As a curator, she creates immersive, multi-sensory environments that invite audiences into the world of a topic—be it a outer space, a future nuclear waste repository, or a fictional character.
Research interests
social studies of outer space (SSOS), Indigenous cosmopolitics, science and technology studies (STS), postcolonial theory, curating, arts-based research methods
CONTACT
ABRIDGED CV
Education
2025
PhD, Social & Cultural Anthropology, Freie Universität, Berlin
2007
Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours), Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney
2006
Bachelor of Arts (Visual) / Arts, Australian National University, Canberra
Publications: edited volumes
in press
‘Astronomy, Religion and Finding the ‘Right Way’ to Engage the Cosmos’ In The Off Earth Atlas: A Guide to Life in Outer Space. Edited by David Jeevendrampillai, Victor Buchli, Delphine Mercer, Perig Pitrou and Elsa De Set.
in press
‘Frontier’. In Cosmic Glossary. Edited by Tamara Alvares and Alexander Taylor. Palgrave.
2025
'Composing the cosmos: Tuning into multiplicities with Thai Buddhist concepts'. In Exploring Ethnography of Outer Space: Methods and Perspectives. Edited by Jenia Gorbanenko, David Jeevendrampillai, and Adryon Kozel. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003437956
2023
‘Divergent Searches for Extraterrestrial Worlds on Two Mountaintops in Thailand‘. In The Routledge Handbook of Social Studies of Outer Space. Edited by Juan Francisco Salazar and Alice Gorman. Routledge.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003280507
2020
‘On Cosmic Travels and Becoming Gods: Some Reflections on Julijonas Ubonas’s Planet of People’. In Lithuanian Space Agency: Annual Report No. 1. Edited by Julijonas Urbonas and Milda Batakytė. The 17th International Architecture Exhibition, Venice: La Biennale di Venezia.
Publications: online
2018
The Secret Life of Objects: Strategies for Telling New Stories in Exhibitions’. Allegra Lab: Anthropology for Radical Optimism. http://allegralaboratory.net
Publications: other
2014
Reid, Lauren, Karin Klenke and Andrea Lauser (Eds.) Haunted Thresholds: Spirituality in Contemporary Southeast Asia, Göttingen: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen.
2014
Reid, Lauren. 'Marvels of Things Created and Miraculous Aspects of Things Existing' for Unconditional Belief. Edited by Art Labor. Ho Chi Minh City: Art Labor.
2014
Reid, Lauren. 'Scaling the Sublime' for exhibition A Planetary Order, curated by Rebecca Partridge. Artists: Martin John Callanan, Rebecca Partridge, Katie Paterson. Berlin: Galerie Christian Ehrentraut.
2013
Reid, Lauren and Perla Montelongo. 'What is the future of art?' IS IT ART OR IS IT JUST? #trendbook s/s 2014 Rotterdam: New: Art Center.
2013
'Peel Slowly and See: Popular music in the artistic practice of Song-Ming Ang'. ISSUE 2: Echo, The Poetics of Translation, ISSUE Art Journal. August 2013. Singapore: LASALLE College of the Arts.
Invited talks
2025
‘Imagining cosmic futures ‘otherwise’ through co-creative and montage-inspired research methods’, SEADS (Space Ecologies Art and Design) Network, 4 February (online)
2024
‘The Making of Outer Space: National Futures, Technologies and Celestial Bodies in Motion‘,
FutureSpace project, Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS), University of Vienna, 23 May (online)
2023
COSS Catalyst: Space Temples (panelist), Centre for Outer Space Studies (COSS), University College of London, 9 March (online)
2022
‘Finding the extraterrestrial on two mountaintops in Thailand’, Aliens are temporary: a mutating tale, Kunstraum Kreuzberg/Bethanien, 24 April, Berlin, DE
2020
Caterina Barbieri & Ruben Spini in conversation with Lauren Reid, The New Infinity, Berliner Festspiele, Zeiss-Großplanetarium, 11 September, Berlin, DE
Conferences
2024
‘Extraterrestrials, Buddhism, Astronomy, & Astrology: Thinking with Multiple Cosmologies in Thailand’, Decolonizing Outer Space Ethnography. World Anthropological Union Congress 2024. Johannesburg, 11-15 November, (online)
2024
‘Imagining Cosmic Futures ‘Otherwise’ through Co-Creative and Montage-Inspired Research Methods’, Making and Transforming Outer Space with/through artistic interventions: alternative languages and narratives for (inter)planetary relations. EASST/4S STS Conference, 16-19 July, Amsterdam, NL
2021
‘Reframing ‘Space the Final Frontier’, Rethinking Outer Space And Science: Critical Engagements With The Cosmos And The Extra-terrestrial. 4S Toronto 2021, 6-9 October (online)
2020
‘Grounding Space Science and Engaging Cosmic Fantasies: Public Outreach in Thailand’, Who are the Publics of Outer Space?, presenter and roundtable co-organiser with Richard Tutton, EASST/4S 2020, 18 August (online)
2019
No Planet B: Multiplanetary Ethics in the Anthropocene roundtable panelist
at AAA/CASCA 2019 Annual Meeting, 20-24 May, Vancouver, CA
2019
‘Futures Beyond Earth: Apocalyptic Thinking of Thai Astronomers and Extraterrestrial Believers’,The Moon as a ‘contact zone’ to other worlds: an interdisciplinary workshop, University of Manchester, 23-24 May, UK
2018
‘Beyond the Final Frontier’, International SETI conference, Indonesian Space Science Society, Universitas Sanata Dharma, 10 November, Yogyakarta, ID
Teaching: courses
2025
Visual and Material Cultures of Space Exploration, Method-oriented Approaches to Humanities Module, undergraduate, Leuphana University, Lüneburg, DE
2025
Montage as Method: Juxtaposing and Reconfiguring in Cultural Studies, Methods of Cultural Studies Module, undergraduate, Leuphana University, Lüneburg, DE
2025
Communicating Research Findings Beyond Articles: Presenting Knowledge in Creative Formats, Practicing Research for Science and Society Module, postgraduate, Leuphana University, Lüneburg, DE
2024
Multimodal Ethnography, Producing Knowledge: Methodologies Module, undergraduate, Leuphana University, Lüneburg, DE
2024
Introduction to Ethnographic Fieldwork: Liminal Spaces in Lüneburg, Producing knowledge: Research Methods for Cultural Studies Module, undergraduate, Leuphana University, Lüneburg, DE
2024
Developing Curatorial Concepts: Research & Creative Ideation, Node Centre for Curatorial Studies, online (taught 2018 - 2024)
2020
Key Moments in the History of Curating, Node Centre for Curatorial Studies, online (taught 2015 - 2020)
2020
Expanding Exhibitions: Innovative Approaches to Curating, Node Centre for Curatorial Studies, online (taught 2013-2020)
Teaching: workshops
2022
Developing a Curatorial Concept, Ithra Museum, Dhahran, SA
2019
Conceptualising Exhibitions, Vilnius Academy of Arts, LT
2018
Imagining Our Futures in Outer Space, HONF Lab, Yogyakarta, ID
2018
Imagining Our Futures in Outer Space, S.A.C. Art Lab, Chiang Mai, TH
2017
The Next Big Thing: Futures of Exhibitions, European Cultural Academy, Venice, IT
2017
Introduction to Curating: Developing Concepts, Paratissima Skopje, MK
2015
Creative Writing in Three-Dimensions - Can an exhibition be a story? Silapakorn University, Bangkok, TH
2014
Haunted Thresholds and introduction to interdisciplinary curating, Institut für Ethnologie, Georg-Universität Göttingen, DE
2013
Professional Presentation for Artists and Curators, Node Center for Curatorial Studies, Berlin, DE
Selected curatorial projects
2020
Infinities Goulburn Regional Gallery, AU
2020
Honeymoon Viborg Kunsthal, DK*
2019
I dreamed I was a house Casino, Luxembourg, LU*
2019
Beyond the Final Frontier Subhashok the Arts Centre, Bangkok, TH
2017
Corridor II: Pachamama insitu, Berlin, DE*
2016
Thinking like a forest screening evening for Elsa Salonen’s solo exhibition Guided by the Stars of the Southern Hemisphere, Acud Macht Neu, Berlin, DE
2016
The Overflow Untitled for Film, Chiang Mai University, TH
2016
Corridor I: Onkalo insitu, Berlin, DE*
2016
Charles insitu, Berlin, DE*
2016
Madeleine insitu, Berlin, DE*
2015
Jonny insitu, Berlin, DE*
2015
Vic insitu, Berlin, DE*
2015
Framework 6: parallelisms insitu, Berlin, DE*
2015
O.K. The Musical (Dress Rehearsals) KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin, DE**
2015
Framework 5: O.K. The Musical (Pre-Production) insitu, Berlin, DE**
2014
Haunted Thresholds: Spirituality in Contemporary Southeast Asia, Kunstverein Göttingen, Göttingen, DE
2014
A Brief History of Memory IV Moscow International Biennale for Young Art, Moscow Museum of Modern Art, Moscow, RU
2014
Spectral Reverberations, Light & Wire Gallery, online formerly at lightandwiregallery.com/
2014
Framework 3: meet your idol insitu, Berlin, DE**
2014
Project Space Festival: Magic Tricks insitu, Berlin, DE**
2014
Framework 2: feel at home insitu, Berlin, DE**
2014
Framework 1: extrasensory bonds insitu, Berlin, DE**
2014
Prologue: relationships, networks and connections insitu, Berlin, DE**
2012
Out of the black, REH Kunst, Berlin
2011
Material Conversion, co-curated with Maria Lanko and Wyatt Niehaus, Grimmuseum, Berlin, DE
* co-curated with Marie Graftieaux, Nora Mayr and Gilles Neiens as insitu collective
** co-curated with Marie Graftieaux and Nora Mayr as insitu collective
** co-curated with Marie Graftieaux and Nora Mayr as insitu collective
Press
Lauren Reid and Her Cosmic Futures, Curtain: The Art Curator Grid Magazine [online], 24/2/2021
La maison rêvée, Céline Coubray, Paperjam [online], 8/6/2019
Bienvenue chez eux!, Grégory Cimatti, Le Quotidien, 8/6/2019
Tablo, Josée Hanse, d’Lëtzebuerger Land, 7/6/2019
I dreamed I was a house, D’Zeitung vum Lëtzebuerger Vollek, 1/6/2019
I dreamed I was a house, City Magazine, Luxembourg, June 2019
GRUPPEUDSTILLING "CORRIDOR III: VALDEMAR DAA", I do art.dk [online], 23/8/2019
Magi i kunsten, Ole Bak Jakobsen, kunsten.nu [online] 8/8/2019
Contemporary art for everyone, Nicolai Lisberg, Scan Magazine, Issue 102, July 2017
Die 100,000 Jahre-Warnung: Atomare Gruppenausstellung bei insitu, taz, 10 - 16/11/2016
Einblick 647, interview for taz, 10 - 16/11/2016
February exhibitions: Six not to miss, Amanda Ribas Tugwell, Exberliner, February issue 2016
This Exhibition Explores Dementia Through Sensations, Will Furtado, Sleek Magazine [online] 02/02/16
Alles zerbricht: die Schau Madeleine im Projektraum insitu umkreist das Thema Demenz, Tip Issue 04/2016 11 - 24 February
A girl called Jonny, Amanda Ribas Tugwell, Exberliner, December issue and online 16/12/15
Kennst du eigentlich schon Jonny? (Begegnung mit einem fiktiven-Charakter), Libertine Magazine, December 2015, pp. 82 - 85
A GIRL CALLED JONNY, Katy Shields, PETRIe [online] 07/12/15
'Jonny' - A Show Where Pleasure Is Your Guide, Sleek Magazine [online] 05/09/15
A Girl Called Jonny. Insitu, Jerry Saltz, Sex and Money, An Paenhuysen, [online] 27/10/15
6 Must Sees der Berlin Art Week, Anika Meier und Philipp Hindahl, Artefakt [online] 10/09/15
The Best Non-Profit Spaces in Berlin, Nicole Rodriguez, ARTSlant [online] 09/09/15
Wilkommen in Berlin “Vic”!, Monopol magazine, September 2015
Vic at insitu Berlin, Carla Fernández, Daily Serving [online] 16/08/15
Berlin Extra, Air Berlin magazine, August 2015
Freie Kunsträume in Berlin: Aktzeichnen to go, Ingeborg Wiensowski, Spiegel Online [online] 11/08/15
False Idols: Insitu Examines Celebrity, Penny Victoria Rafferty, Sleek Magazine [online] 22/07/15
Spaces to Watch: 5 questions for insitu in Berlin, Spike Art Magazine [online] 14/05/15
The Alchemy Of Curating. "Framework 6: Parallelisms", Part 2 at insitu, An Paenhuysen, [online] 19/04/15
Project Space Festival Berlin, Jesi Khadivi, Eyeout: the mobile art guide [online] 26/08/14
THE FLUX OF SPACE: BERLIN'S PROJECT SPACE FESTIVAL, Ally Bishop, Runway magazine [online] 15/07/14
In conversation with insitu, Ashton Chandler, Art:I:Curate [online] 17/03/14
Out of the black – Raumerweiterungshalle Berlin, Jeni Fulton, Berlin Art Link [online] 15/01/12
BLACK HOLES AT REH KUNST, Niche Art and Architecture, Berlin [online] 14/01/12
La maison rêvée, Céline Coubray, Paperjam [online], 8/6/2019
Bienvenue chez eux!, Grégory Cimatti, Le Quotidien, 8/6/2019
Tablo, Josée Hanse, d’Lëtzebuerger Land, 7/6/2019
I dreamed I was a house, D’Zeitung vum Lëtzebuerger Vollek, 1/6/2019
I dreamed I was a house, City Magazine, Luxembourg, June 2019
GRUPPEUDSTILLING "CORRIDOR III: VALDEMAR DAA", I do art.dk [online], 23/8/2019
Magi i kunsten, Ole Bak Jakobsen, kunsten.nu [online] 8/8/2019
Contemporary art for everyone, Nicolai Lisberg, Scan Magazine, Issue 102, July 2017
Die 100,000 Jahre-Warnung: Atomare Gruppenausstellung bei insitu, taz, 10 - 16/11/2016
Einblick 647, interview for taz, 10 - 16/11/2016
February exhibitions: Six not to miss, Amanda Ribas Tugwell, Exberliner, February issue 2016
This Exhibition Explores Dementia Through Sensations, Will Furtado, Sleek Magazine [online] 02/02/16
Alles zerbricht: die Schau Madeleine im Projektraum insitu umkreist das Thema Demenz, Tip Issue 04/2016 11 - 24 February
A girl called Jonny, Amanda Ribas Tugwell, Exberliner, December issue and online 16/12/15
Kennst du eigentlich schon Jonny? (Begegnung mit einem fiktiven-Charakter), Libertine Magazine, December 2015, pp. 82 - 85
A GIRL CALLED JONNY, Katy Shields, PETRIe [online] 07/12/15
'Jonny' - A Show Where Pleasure Is Your Guide, Sleek Magazine [online] 05/09/15
A Girl Called Jonny. Insitu, Jerry Saltz, Sex and Money, An Paenhuysen, [online] 27/10/15
6 Must Sees der Berlin Art Week, Anika Meier und Philipp Hindahl, Artefakt [online] 10/09/15
The Best Non-Profit Spaces in Berlin, Nicole Rodriguez, ARTSlant [online] 09/09/15
Wilkommen in Berlin “Vic”!, Monopol magazine, September 2015
Vic at insitu Berlin, Carla Fernández, Daily Serving [online] 16/08/15
Berlin Extra, Air Berlin magazine, August 2015
Freie Kunsträume in Berlin: Aktzeichnen to go, Ingeborg Wiensowski, Spiegel Online [online] 11/08/15
False Idols: Insitu Examines Celebrity, Penny Victoria Rafferty, Sleek Magazine [online] 22/07/15
Spaces to Watch: 5 questions for insitu in Berlin, Spike Art Magazine [online] 14/05/15
The Alchemy Of Curating. "Framework 6: Parallelisms", Part 2 at insitu, An Paenhuysen, [online] 19/04/15
Project Space Festival Berlin, Jesi Khadivi, Eyeout: the mobile art guide [online] 26/08/14
THE FLUX OF SPACE: BERLIN'S PROJECT SPACE FESTIVAL, Ally Bishop, Runway magazine [online] 15/07/14
In conversation with insitu, Ashton Chandler, Art:I:Curate [online] 17/03/14
Out of the black – Raumerweiterungshalle Berlin, Jeni Fulton, Berlin Art Link [online] 15/01/12
BLACK HOLES AT REH KUNST, Niche Art and Architecture, Berlin [online] 14/01/12