Christian Thönnes

Christian Thönnes is a Doctoral Researcher in the Department of Public Law at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law. His work focuses on intersections between technology, law, and human rights, particularly automated decision-making systems and their implications for fundamental rights. He holds a background in law studies from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Université Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas (First State Exam in Law).

Education:

• 2021–present: Doctoral Researcher, Max Planck Institute
• 2015–2021: Law Studies, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin & Université Paris 2 (First State Exam)

Research Interests: Explores legal frameworks governing AI-driven decision systems, data protection law, and whistleblower protections. Analyzes how rapid technological advancements impact traditional legal decision-making processes, with a focus on GDPR compliance and European security law.

Key Projects:

• "All Right to a Human Decision?" (Project Lead): Examines legal automation and human rights implications across national/EU statutes
• Coordination of Project Civil Courage (2017–2021) with Society for Civil Rights

Affiliations: German Academic Scholarship Foundation grant recipient (2017–2021), Research Assistant at Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte e.V.