Germany’s internet institutes are strengthening their collaboration: The Leibniz Institute for Media Research | Hans-Bredow-Institut (HBI) is being included in the cooperation for academic career advancement of the Bavarian Research Institute for Digital Transformation (bidt), the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS), and the Weizenbaum Institute for the Networked Society (WI).
The aim is to jointly promote competence development and professionalize career paths. They hope to prepare young scientists for careers within and outside academia by offering tailored qualifications and networking opportunities.
Professor Christoph Neuberger, Scientific Director of the Weizenbaum Institute, praised the collaboration on behalf of the partners: “The positive response to our program for young researchers is the result of the excellent collaboration between the participating research institutes. We are very pleased that the Hans-Bredow-Institut will be expanding this circle. This will further strengthen our joint initiative to support young researchers and shape the future of science in a sustainable, interdisciplinary manner.”
The four institutes focus on interdisciplinary digitalization research and share a similar organizational profile due to public funding from the federal and state governments. As Germany’s oldest media research institute, the HBI contributes valuable experience and best practices for promoting young talent. This collaboration includes joint events for doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers, establishing a pool of trainers, participating in each other’s qualification programs, and regularly exchanging information on career development measures, program offerings, qualification standards, and interdisciplinary cooperation within a working group.
“This collaboration is a significant step in promoting young talent in digitalization research. By pooling our resources and expertise, we can offer young scientists optimal development and networking opportunities. Together, we are creating a solid foundation for the next generation of researchers to develop innovative solutions to the challenges of the digital world,” said Professor Wolfgang Schulz, Scientific Director of the HBI.
To launch the expanded collaboration, the institutes will host a joint Digitalization Research Seminar, DigiSem 2024, on October 14 and 15, 2024, at CAIS in Bochum, focusing on “Digital Freedom — Autonomy, Well-Being, and Participation.” Further information on the program can be found at https://www.cais-research.de/en/event/digisem2024/.
About the Leibniz Institute for Media Research Hans-Bredow-Institut (HBI)
The HBI researches media change and associated structural changes in public communication. It is cross-media, interdisciplinary, and independent, combining basic science and transfer research to create knowledge relevant to politics, business, and civil society.
About the Bavarian Research Institute for Digital Transformation (bidt)
Bidt is a research institute of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences that contributes to a better understanding of digital transformation developments and their challenges. It provides the basis for shaping the future responsibly and in the public interest. The bidt promotes exceptional interdisciplinary research and, as a think tank, offers evidence-based recommendations to policymakers and business leaders. Research at the institute occurs through open dialogue between science, politics, business, and society.
About the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS)
CAIS is a research institute funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia. It explores the social opportunities and challenges of digital transformation. CAIS sees itself as a place for innovative, interdisciplinary research and as a catalyst for a critical public that wants to discuss models for leading a life of self-determination in digital society.
About the Weizenbaum Institute
The Weizenbaum Institute stands for excellent, independent, interdisciplinary, and fundamental digitalization research. The Institute provides politics, business, and civil society with sound findings and value-based recommendations for action. It contributes to ensuring that the digitalization of society is not only better understood, but can also be shaped in a sustainable, self-determined, and responsible manner. Founded in 2017, the Weizenbaum Institute is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the State of Berlin and supported by seven partners from Berlin and Brandenburg.