Max Planck Institute for Social AnthropologyGermany
Arne Harms is a Senior Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, specializing in the Department of Anthropology of Politics and Governance. His work bridges environmental anthropology, ethics, and science and technology studies through fieldwork in East India, the Indian Himalayas, and Europe. Focus on environmental displacement and climate change Expertise in disaster studies and infrastructure analysis Current project examines regeneration practices in European climate activism Editorial role at Social Anthropology/Anthropologie Sociale Liaison officer for Hans-Böckler-Stiftung Research spans coastal erosion, market-based conservation, and the socio-political dimensions of environmental challenges. Publications analyze carbon forestry economies, climate anxiety mitigation strategies, and the paradoxes of green neoliberalism. Active in environmental anthropology since 2010, his work explores the intersection between ecological crises and human adaptation. Key themes include temporality, displacement ethics, and the material politics of climate responses.
Jana Gonnermann-Müller is a research assistant at the Chair of Business Information Systems, Processes and Systems at the University of Potsdam . Holding an M.Sc. in Psychology from Humboldt University of Berlin, her work focuses on human-machine interaction, particularly examining learning, decision-making, and trust in technological collaborations. Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Psychology Alumni: Humboldt University of Berlin Current Role: Scientific Associate at University of Potsdam Research explores cognitive factors in augmented reality and AI assistance systems , employing experimental designs and eye tracking methodologies. Key projects include investigating visual guidance in AR, comparing AR display types, and developing frameworks for generative AI in education. Publications (2023-2025) demonstrate expertise in digital education , cognitive load optimization , and technology-enhanced learning . Collaborations span institutions like Hong Kong Polytechnic University , University of California, Davis , and Weizenbaum Institute , with corporate consulting on learning technology implementation. Technical focus areas include: Human-System Design Optimization Eye Tracking & Usability Studies AI Recommender Systems Industry 4.0 Implementation Research applications extend to: Secondary Education Technology Assembly Line AR Integration Change Management Systems Maintenance AR Visualization
Prof. Dr. Julia Oswald is a Professor of Business Administration with a focus on Hospital Finance and Management at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences , Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. Her work bridges academic theory with practical applications in healthcare governance, organizational culture, and financial systems. University: Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences Department: Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences Email: j.oswald@hs-osnabrueck.de Research Interests: She specializes in hospital financial systems, healthcare organizational culture, and strategic management frameworks. Her recent projects explore ecological sustainability in hospitals and the integration of nursing staff into leadership structures. Scientific Contributions: Her publications and lectures analyze the intersection of economics, policy, and operational efficiency in healthcare. Key themes include profit-center models, decentralized management, and nursing workforce dynamics. Committee Work: She serves as an external reviewer for academic appointments and accreditation processes, including roles at Hochschule Hannover, Hochschule Fulda, and the Virtual University of Bavaria. Her leadership extends to alumni networks and editorial boards like the Krankenhaus-Report .
Dana Mahr is a Researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) within the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS) . Her work focuses on Technology Assessment , Science and Technology Studies , and Citizen Science , with particular interests in Epistemic Diversity , Digital Health Research , and the Sociopolitical dimensions of biomedical technologies . Key research areas: Participatory research, gender in science, public trust in technology, and science communication in digital contexts Current projects: Inspiring and Anchoring Trust in Science (IANUS), Moral economies of emerging technologies, and the role of experiential knowledge in biomedical research Teaching: Has designed courses on topics like "Big Data in Medicine" and "Citizen Science" at institutions including Université de Genève and University of Lübeck Her recent publications address issues such as digital patient twins , data diaries in health platforms , and the politics of gender and reproduction . She leads discussions on disinformation, public engagement, and the ethical implications of technology in healthcare. Mahr's work emphasizes the intersection of social theory , scientific governance , and democratic participation in shaping technological futures. Notable collaborations include research with European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) and contributions to debates on transgender rights and digital health equity . Her methodological approach combines historical analysis with participatory frameworks to challenge epistemic hierarchies in scientific practice.
Prof. Dr. Ronald Gleich is an active Professor and Chair, Head of Institute at EBS University of Business and Law, specifically within the EBS Business School's Department of Organization, Strategy & Leadership. He leads the DEKRA Institute for Industrial Service Management and has been a prominent figure in industrial management research since the early 1990s. Born in 1962, he maintains an active research and publication profile focusing on controlling systems and innovation management across various industries. Professor Gleich's research primarily centers on Industrial Management with specialized focus on Controlling Systems, Innovation Management (particularly in Service, Machinery and Automotive Industries), and Performance Measurement including Balanced Scorecard methodologies. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, developing measurement systems that organizations can implement to improve performance. He has significantly contributed to the understanding of innovation networks in the automotive sector and developed approaches to performance measurement that integrate both financial and non-financial indicators across diverse business contexts. His extensive publication record reveals consistent research themes focused on performance management systems, innovation processes in industrial settings, and advanced controlling methodologies. Gleich's work shows a clear evolution from traditional controlling approaches toward more dynamic, integrated systems that respond to changing business environments. His research particularly emphasizes practical applications in the automotive, machinery, and service industries, with numerous empirical studies validating his theoretical frameworks. Nomination for the AWF-PhD-Award (Committee for Economical Manufacturing, 1996) Founder and scientific mentor of the annual Best Paper Award Innovation Management (since 2006) Professor Gleich has held significant editorial responsibilities throughout his career, including serving as editor of the journal "Performance Excellence – Journal for Controlling and Innovation Management ZfCI" from 2006 and editor of the "Controlling Consultant" journal from 2007. He has also contributed to numerous research projects and publications, often collaborating with industry partners to translate academic research into practical business applications. His work with the DEKRA Institute demonstrates strong industry-academia collaboration. As Head of the DEKRA Institute for Industrial Service Management, Professor Gleich leads research initiatives focusing on innovation and performance measurement in industrial service contexts. His institute serves as a bridge between academic research and practical business applications, particularly in the automotive and machinery sectors where Germany maintains global leadership.
Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Oliver Kaul is Professor of Economics at the University of Applied Sciences Mainz , Germany. He is active within the Department of Economics and focuses his scholarly work on international business & management with a strong emphasis on marketing-oriented corporate strategies and both qualitative and quantitative market research. Research Interests His research agenda centers on the intersection of marketing strategy and competitive behavior . Key themes include: Marketing-oriented corporate strategies Competitor reputation for aggressiveness Qualitative and quantitative market research methodologies International business dynamics These interests are reflected in his book projects and conference presentations that span Europe and the United States. Publications & Scholarly Output Prof. Kaul’s scholarly output includes influential monographs such as Competitor reputation for aggressiveness: a key construct in marketing competition (2001) and the textbook Fundamentals of corporate management (2004). His empirical working papers from 1999 delve into measuring and understanding competitor aggressiveness, themes he has also presented at leading international conferences. Conference & Workshop Presentations French-German Workshop on Quantitative Methods, Humboldt University of Berlin (1996) Conference on Corporate Reputation, Image, and Competitiveness, NYU Stern School (1997) Marketing Science Conferences at Haas (Berkeley), INSEAD (France), Syracuse, UCLA, and Wiesbaden (1997–2001) 3rd International Conference on Corporate Reputation, San Juan, Puerto Rico (1999) These engagements underline his active role in the global marketing and management research community.
Dr. Carolin Oppermann is a researcher at the Institute for Social and Organizational Pedagogy at the University of Hildesheim, where she serves as Academic Advisor for Social and Organizational Pedagogy (MA), Social Pedagogy (BA), and Social Services (MA) programs. She also represents the Scientific Staff Group on the Permanent Examination Board for these programs. Her work focuses on protection concepts, violence prevention, and social work with elderly populations within organizational contexts. Dr. Oppermann earned her doctorate in philology from the Department of Education and Social Sciences at the University of Hildesheim in 2016 with her dissertation titled \'Wanna go Clubbing? – An Ethnography in Senior Citizens Clubs in Kuala Lumpur/Malaysia\'. Prior to this, she completed her Bachelor\'s and Master\'s degrees in Social and Organizational Pedagogy at the same institution (2004-2009) and served as a doctoral fellow in the DFG Research Training Group \'Transnational Social Support\' from 2011-2015. Her research interests center around organizational protection concepts, sexualized violence, social work and care for the elderly, transnationality and aging, diversity concepts, and qualitative research methods. She has conducted multiple research stays in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to collect empirical material for her dissertation. Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to understanding vulnerable populations within institutional contexts and developing practical protection frameworks. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on protection concepts across various institutional settings, particularly in elderly care facilities and educational organizations. Her work increasingly integrates participatory approaches to organizational development and emphasizes the importance of voice and agency for vulnerable populations. The interdisciplinary nature of her research bridges social work, gerontology, organizational studies, and child protection. Dr. Oppermann has been actively involved in multiple funded research projects, including \'Safe Places? Protection Concepts in Nursing Homes for Dementia Patients\' (funded by the German Alzheimer Society), INDEKO.Navi (funded by BMBF), and projects focused on trauma education and gender equality in doctoral support. Her teaching portfolio includes Bachelor Project Semesters, Master Writing and Research Workshops, and seminars on multi-professional collaboration in nursing. She regularly presents her research at national and international conferences, with recent presentations focusing on protection concepts in nursing homes, transnational care, and participatory risk analysis methods. Her work demonstrates a strong connection between academic research and practical application in social work settings.
David Bermbach is a Full Professor at Technische Universität Berlin , leading the Scalable Software Systems group since 2023. His research focuses on distributed systems, serverless computing, and benchmarking, with significant work on edge and fog computing architectures. He is affiliated with the Einstein Center Digital Future and co-chairs interdisciplinary projects like SimRa for bicycle traffic safety. Full Professor, Scalable Software Systems (2023–present) ECDF-Professor, Mobile Cloud Computing (2017–2023) Postdoctoral Researcher (2014–2017) Education : Diploma in Business Engineering (2010) – Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) PhD in Computer Science (2014, summa cum laude) – KIT Research Interests span distributed systems with emphasis on cloud, edge, and fog computing, serverless architectures, IoT platforms, and benchmarking frameworks. His work addresses consistency-performance trade-offs, resource placement, and interdisciplinary applications in urban mobility and satellite edge computing. Article Trends show a focus on serverless computing (12/15), edge-cloud integration (9/15), and benchmarking methodologies (7/15). Key themes include optimizing function placement, federated learning architectures, and low-earth orbit computing systems. Scientific Awards Best Paper Award – ShutPub (2024) Best Workshop Paper – A Research Perspective on Fog Computing (2017) Best Paper Runner Up – Benchmarking Eventual Consistency (2014) Summa Cum Laude PhD Thesis (2014) Advising & Grants include mentoring students like Tobias Pfandzelter and Trever Schirmer, leading funded projects through the Einstein Center Digital Future, and contributing to 6G network research. His team works on cloud federation, serverless optimization, and real-world IoT applications.
Eileen Jahn is a Doctoral Fellow at the Chair of Epistemologies of the Global South within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Bayreuth. Her research critically examines electricity access struggles in Johannesburg, South Africa, focusing on how marginalized communities navigate and resist colonial power structures through their engagements with energy infrastructure. Her educational background includes: M.Sc. in Social Sciences from the University of Amsterdam (2018-2020), with thesis research in South Africa titled "Guardians of Trust: An Ethnographic Account on Mistrust and Trust in Democratization" B.A. in Cultural Studies / Art-Media-Aesthetic Education from the University of Bremen, Germany (2016-2018) Jahn's scholarship centers on the intersection of infrastructure, coloniality, and resistance in the Global South. Her doctoral project "Ugesi Ngowethu" explores how undersupplied communities in Johannesburg employ strategies of non-payment, self-connection, and infrastructure manipulation to demand equitable electricity access. Her work combines ethnographic fieldwork with decolonial theory to understand how historical experiences of colonial power shape contemporary energy justice movements, demonstrating a commitment to centering marginalized voices and knowledge systems in academic discourse. Her publication record reveals a strong thematic focus on energy justice, decolonial anthropology, and critical urban studies, with recent work examining electricity access in South Africa, repair practices, and climate adaptation politics. Her research consistently bridges theoretical insights with practical community concerns, reflecting an engaged scholarly approach that connects academic and activist spaces across international conferences and collaborative projects. Eileen actively participates in significant academic venues including the American Anthropologist and major international conferences on energy, urban studies, and decolonial theory. Her collaborative work with scholars like Pamila Gupta, Pedro Silva Rocha Lima, and Penelope Papailias demonstrates her commitment to collective knowledge production and challenging traditional academic hierarchies through projects like the "Call for Complaint" series that addresses colonial hauntings in anthropology.
Dr. Amon Göppert serves as Professor and Chair of the Intelligence in Quality Sensing group at RWTH Aachen University's Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL). His work integrates artificial intelligence into manufacturing processes to enhance quality control, production efficiency, and sustainable practices. Göppert's research spans intelligent manufacturing systems with core expertise in AI-driven production engineering, circular economy applications, and advanced assembly systems. He investigates how machine learning optimizes production ramp-up, disassembly processes, and flexible manufacturing while developing sensor-based quality control solutions for industrial applications. His recent publications reveal strong trends toward AI implementation in production planning, with emphasis on worker assistance systems for disassembly, digital twin applications for real-time control, and mobile robotics in line-less assembly environments. Key focus areas include sustainable manufacturing, metrology innovation, and adaptive scheduling systems. Göppert leads multiple high-impact research initiatives: AI-driven Product Development: Machine learning for smart measurement strategies in metrology MetaVision Consortium: Industrial metaverse applications for AI-supported vision systems Generative AI for Non-Destructive Testing optimization Cluster of Excellence Internet of Production participation As Chief Engineer at WZL, he oversees technical implementation of research projects and collaborates with industry partners to translate innovations into practical manufacturing solutions, particularly in adaptive assembly systems and quality sensing technologies.
Raul Wood is a Research Fellow at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), specifically within the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) in Davos. He operates in the Snow and Atmosphere Unit under the Hydrology & Climate Impacts in Mountain Regions Group, focusing on climate-hydrology interactions in alpine environments. His research centers on extreme hydroclimatic events, with emphasis on precipitation extremes, flood/drought dynamics, and climate change impacts in mountainous regions. Wood employs global climate model ensembles and hydrological modeling to dissect internal variability versus forced responses, particularly across European and Alpine domains. His work bridges theoretical climate science with practical water resource management challenges. Analysis of Wood's publication record reveals consistent focus on multi-scale extreme event analysis, compound hazards, and ensemble-based uncertainty quantification. His recent work increasingly addresses societal impacts through urban flood resilience and population exposure metrics, while maintaining technical rigor in statistical downscaling and hydrological modeling. Wood actively contributes to three major research initiatives: SynFire (synchronous forest fires in Europe), Hydro-SMILE (hydrological ensemble for Swiss droughts/floods), and upXdown (upstream-downstream drought cascades in the Alps). These projects demonstrate his commitment to solving complex climate-water challenges through collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches with European partners.
Prof. Dr. Daniel Slamanig is a Full Professor of Cryptology at the Universität der Bundeswehr München (UniBw M) in its Department of Computer Science and Research Institute Cyber Defense (CODE). He heads the Quantum Safe & Advanced Cryptography (QuSAC) Lab and focuses on the development of provably secure cryptographic primitives with applications to real-world security challenges. Prof. Slamanig obtained his PhD in computer science from the University of Klagenfurt in 2011 (with distinction). Prior to his current position, he worked as a Scientist and then Senior Scientist at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, and as a Senior Researcher and PostDoc at Graz University of Technology's IAIK. Prof. Slamanig's research spans the foundations and applications of cryptography, with special focus on provably secure public-key cryptographic primitives (including digital signatures) with strong security guarantees against quantum attacks, and privacy-friendly cryptographic mechanisms such as zero-knowledge proofs. His work consistently emphasizes the connection between theoretical foundations and practical implementations, ensuring cryptographic solutions are both secure and applicable to real-world scenarios. His recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on post-quantum cryptography (particularly isogeny-based approaches), privacy-preserving technologies, anonymous credentials, and structure-preserving cryptographic protocols. A notable contribution is his work on the Picnic family of post-quantum digital signature schemes, which reached the final round of NIST's post-quantum cryptography standardization project. Prof. Slamanig has received several prestigious awards for his contributions to cryptography: "netidee SCIENCE" award of the Internet Foundation (2018) Best Paper Award at CANS 2021 Top Reviewer Award at the 30th ACM SIGSAC Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS 2023) Prof. Slamanig actively mentors the next generation of cryptographers, currently supervising PhD students Thomas den Hollander, Sebastian Spindler, and several others. His research is supported by numerous grants from EU Horizon programs, including PiQASO, SUNRISE, and EDOCC, as well as national funding agencies like FFG. He serves on program committees for top cryptography conferences including CRYPTO, EUROCRYPT, and ACM CCS, and reviews for leading journals such as the Journal of Cryptology. At Universität der Bundeswehr München, Prof. Slamanig leads the Quantum Safe & Advanced Cryptography (QuSAC) Lab within the Research Institute Cyber Defense (CODE), where his team works on cutting-edge research in post-quantum cryptography, privacy-enhancing technologies, and practical implementations of cryptographic protocols for real-world security challenges.
Boris Michel is Professor of Digital Geography at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg since 2021. His academic journey includes an Acting Professorship at the University of Bremen (2019), a Visiting Assistant Professor position at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver (2014), and research assistant roles at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg. He completed his doctorate at the University of Münster in 2010 and achieved his Habilitation in Geography at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg in 2017. Michel also serves as liaison lecturer of the Hans Böckler Foundation since 2013. Michel's educational background includes: Habilitation in Geography, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg (2017) Doctorate, University of Münster (2010) His research spans three interconnected domains that reflect both historical depth and contemporary relevance in geographical scholarship. Focusing on urban geography, Michel critically examines neoliberal and post-political governance of cities, with particular attention to cities in the Global South. His work on critical cartography investigates participatory mapping practices and the theoretical challenges posed by digital transformation to cartographic knowledge production. In the history of geography, Michel explores how geography negotiated issues of visibility, representation, and visuality throughout the 20th century, with special interest in the Quantitative Revolution in German-speaking geography and its connections to current digital geography debates. Michel's scholarly contributions reveal a consistent focus on the politics of representation, whether examining contemporary digital geographies or historical developments in geographical thought. His recent publications demonstrate how historical perspectives on the Quantitative Revolution inform current discussions about AI, geodata commons, and digital infrastructures. This historical approach enables innovative connections between past geographical practices and emerging digital methodologies. Michel serves as editor for "sub\urban. zeitschrift für kritische stadtforschung" and leads several research projects including "narcotic.city," which investigates urban governance of drug cultures, and "Inclusion and Exclusion in Volunteered Geographic Information after Digital Humanitarianism," which examines geodata in crisis and conflict mapping contexts. His work consistently bridges theoretical inquiry with practical engagement, as evidenced by his contributions to critical cartography handbooks and counter-cartography initiatives like "This Is Not an Atlas." His academic leadership extends to collaborative research networks focused on the history of geography, particularly through the platform "historische-geographien.de." Michel's approach emphasizes the importance of historical context in understanding contemporary geographical challenges, creating productive dialogues between past and present geographical practices.
Johannes Schöning is a Professor of Human-Computer Interaction at the University of St. Gallen, where he leads a research group focused on developing novel user interfaces that empower individuals and communities with data-driven decision capabilities. His work bridges rapidly advancing technologies with human needs across diverse contexts including geographic information science, public health, medical applications, and extreme environments such as space missions. He publishes extensively at premier HCI venues including ACM CHI, MobileHCI, and DIS, as well as in interdisciplinary journals like NATURE and PLOS ONE. Professor Schöning's research interests center on understanding the interplay between technology and human activities through rigorous methods from AI, computer graphics, and cognitive psychology. His work emphasizes user-centered design methodologies and mixed methods approaches to create interfaces that fit both technological possibilities and human requirements. Key focus areas include virtual and augmented reality applications, accessibility solutions, navigation technologies, and the social implications of digital interfaces in everyday life. His research mission prioritizes theoretical and practice-based inquiry to develop disruptive solutions for real-world problems. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong trends in virtual reality applications for emotional regulation and accessibility, with increasing emphasis on generative AI integration, environmental awareness, and space-related HCI challenges. His work consistently demonstrates interdisciplinary collaboration across computer science, psychology, geography, and medical fields, with publications showing growing interest in social implications of technology, particularly regarding navigation systems and their externalities. His scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous awards including: Best Presentation Award at IEEE VR 2023 Best Paper Award & Accessibility Award at Interact 2019 10 Year Impact Award 2021 Multiple Honorable Mention Awards at top conferences Professor Schöning actively mentors students across bachelor, master, and PhD levels, with his lab seeking candidates interested in the intersection of HCI, geoinformatics, and ubiquitous computing technologies. He emphasizes creating a 'detox-free academic environment' that focuses on meaningful teaching and research outcomes rather than academic pressures. His group frequently collaborates with international researchers and institutions on projects spanning medical applications, space exploration interfaces, and public health technologies. The research laboratory led by Professor Schöning maintains strong interdisciplinary connections across multiple domains. Current projects include developing AI-powered wearables for blind and low vision users, exploring VR applications for emotional regulation, investigating navigation technologies' social impacts, and creating interfaces for space mission contexts. The lab's work on CubeSat control software and plant visualization for space greenhouses demonstrates their unique focus on extreme environment applications, while their research on citizen participation through generative AI shows engagement with contemporary societal challenges.
Stephan Hammer is a Professor of Organic Chemistry and Biocatalysis at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bielefeld , and Head of the Organic Chemistry and Biocatalysis Group at the Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec). He is also a Project Manager for multiple DFG-funded initiatives and a Recipient of the Emmy Noether Fellowship . His work focuses on creating and evolving biocatalysts for synthetic chemistry applications. Education: PhD in Biocatalysis (University of Stuttgart, 2014), Postdoc with Frances Arnold (Caltech, 2015-2017), studied Chemistry at Cambridge (2008-2009) and Marburg (2005-2010) Research Interests center on directed enzyme evolution for non-natural reactions, particularly CC/CN/CO bond formations using SAM analogues and engineered enzymes like cytochrome P450s and methyltransferases. His methodology spans bioinformatics, molecular biology, and preparative synthesis. His 15 most recent articles highlight trends in biocatalytic alkylation , carbocation control , SAM analogue generation , and P450 engineering for selective oxidation. These studies often involve directed evolution of enzymes to access reactive intermediates and expand metabolic pathways. Scientific Awards include the Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Fellowship from the German Research Foundation (DFG), enabling his work on novel catalytic reactions through enzyme engineering. Additional funding includes DFG grants and support from the German Federal Environmental Foundation . Research Collaborations span institutions like Caltech (Frances Arnold), University of Stuttgart (Bernhard Hauer), and partnerships within the Organic Chemistry and Biocatalysis Group at CeBiTec. His projects frequently involve interdisciplinary teams in chemical biology and protein engineering .
