News
Reports, Publications, Projects, Blog Posts & Podcasts from the Institute
Research Assistant / PhD Candidate at the Social Media Observatory
The HBI in Hamburg has the following vacancy to fill as of May 1, 2026: Research Assistant / PhD candidate (m/f/d) in the field of Computational Social Science. Fixed-term until May 31, 2029, subject to the approval of third-party funding | Full-time | Pay grade 13 TV-L | Location: Hamburg. We are looking forward to your application.
Research Assistant / PhD Candidate in the Field of Computational Social Science
At the HBI in Hamburg the following position is available as of May 1, 2026: Research Assistant /PhD candidate (m/f/d) in the field of Computational Social Science. Fixed-term until March 31, 2029, subject to the approval of third-party funding | Full-time | Pay grade 13 TV-L | Location: Hamburg. We are looking forward to your application.
Research Assistant in the Field of Computational Social Science
The HBI in Hamburg is seeking to fill one position as of April 1, 2026: Research assistant (all genders) in the field of Computational Social Science – focus on social media, social scientific support. We are looking forward to your application.
Growing Up in Data-Intensive and Automated (Media) Environments
Dr. Claudia Lampert examines changing usage practices and possible implications for socialization research in the chapter “Growing Up in Data-Intensive and Automated (Media) Environments” of the handbook “Media Socialization in ‘Smart’ Environments. Self- and Social Development in the Context of Datafication and Automation,” edited by Laura Sūna and Wolfgang Reißmann.
Journalism between Burnout and Vocation
Media researcher and journalist Anna von Garmissen talks to host Alexander Matzkeit about the state of journalism in Germany in the podcast “Läuft” produced by epd medien and the Grimme Institute. The discussion is based on the results of three studies, which she considers alarming, and which she summarized in a guest article for epd medien.
Why Banning Social Media Is Not the Solution
In Australia, children under the age of 16 will no longer be allowed to create social media profiles as of December 2025. More and more European countries are also planning to introduce age limits for social media. Dr. Stephan Dreyer, an expert on legal issues at the intersection of youth protection and data protection, explains that a ban would actually weaken youth protection and be disproportionate.
Algorithmic Amplification of Negative Discourse as a Systemic Risk
How does attention-economy-driven algorithmic amplification of conflict-driven and negative-emotional communication distort public discourse? And does this distortion constitute a systemic risk under the Digital Services Act (DSA)? This blog article refers to our previous blogpost on "Platform Badges for Civic Communication", explains why such interventions are needed, and outlines how they could address these systemic risks.
Stephan Dreyer Appointed to Expert Commission
As part of a pilot project, the German Association for Voluntary Self-Regulation of Television (FSF) and the German Association for Voluntary Self-Regulation of Digital Media Service Providers (FSM) are developing quality standards for automated and AI-supported evaluation systems, overseen by the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (KJM). Dr. Stephan Dreyer is developing and conducting tests on automated and AI-supported evaluation systems for youth media protection.
“He Just Does Everything Right. He’s Simply Smart” – Young People’s Perspectives on AI
AI applications are no longer used just for homework, but also as advisors and conversation partners. This blog post takes a look at young people's experiences with AI and shows that schools and parents often lack opportunities to discuss the role of AI in our daily lives. Safer Internet Day offers a good opportunity to start this conversation.
Event dates
Annual Conference of the DGPuK 2026
18. March 2026The 71st annual conference of the German Communication Association (DGPuK) will take place from March 18 to 20, 2026, and will be hosted by the Institute of Journalism at TU Dortmund University. The conference theme is "#Science #Communication #Democracy." Several HBI researchers will present their work or participate in panels.
On the Future of Public Broadcasting
19. March 2026Dr. Hans-Ulrich Wagner will participate in a panel discussion titled “Cultural Mandate and Program Development in Public Broadcasting.” The event is part of the symposium, "Cultural Education and Participation in Transition: The Cultural Sector between Local and Global Interests” at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.