Bianca Herlo

Bianca Herlo is a Senior Researcher at Berlin University of the Arts (UdK Berlin), leading the 'Inequality and Digital Sovereignty' research group at the Weizenbaum Institute for the Networked Society. She serves as deputy head of the Design Research Lab and held an interim professorship in design sciences at Braunschweig University of Art (HBK Braunschweig) since October 2022. Her work focuses on designing socially and ecologically sustainable tools to empower marginalized groups through participatory processes. She has extensive experience in civic design, digital democracy, and transdisciplinary research collaboration across institutions like DFKI and ECDF.

Education: PhD on memory representation in documentaries, studies in communication and experimental media design at UdK Berlin. Previously managed cultural programs in Eastern Europe, co-founded *.artlabs for arts and tech, and serves on scientific committees including the Social Design Network and COST Association.

Research interests include digital sovereignty frameworks, participatory design methodologies, and equitable tech integration in public spaces. Key projects include Citizens Connect Neighborhoods, the Hybrid Meeting Point infrastructure, and the INNOVADE initiative for inclusive civic tech.

Publications span digital justice, participatory innovation, and transdisciplinary design practices. She co-hosts the podcast PURPLE CODE exploring intersectional feminist perspectives in digital societies.