معرفی
Prof. Dr. Christiane Maaß is a Professor of Media Linguistics at the University of Hildesheim, where she has been a faculty member since 2011. She is the founding director of the Research Center for Easy Language (established in 2014) and leads the Master’s program in Accessible Communication since 2018. She is affiliated with the Institute for Translation Studies & Specialized Communication within the Department of Linguistics and Information Sciences. Her leadership extends to national and institutional roles, including serving as a federal expert on digital accessibility and leading the Accessible Health Communication division of the German Health Literacy Network.
- University: University of Hildesheim
- School: Department of Linguistics and Information Sciences
- Department: Institute for Translation Studies & Specialized Communication
- Academic Rank: Professor
- Email: maassc@uni-hildesheim.de
Her research focuses on accessible communication, particularly Easy and Simple Language, with applications in media, healthcare, public administration, and digital services. She investigates how linguistic simplification, multimodal formats, and translation practices can enhance understanding for people with cognitive, sensory, or linguistic challenges. Her work combines theoretical linguistics with practical translation and policy implementation.
The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward health communication, AI-assisted translation, and digital accessibility. Projects like KI-GesKom explore the use of artificial intelligence to generate medically accurate texts in Easy Language, ensuring both clarity and scientific validity. Other works address subtitling, inclusive theater, and public service communication, demonstrating a consistent commitment to social inclusion through language.
Prof. Maaß actively supervises doctoral research, including a group on Accessible Health Communication funded by the Robert Bosch Foundation. She has led numerous externally funded projects, including EU-supported initiatives like EASIT. Her academic service includes roles on the university Senate, examination boards, ethics committees, and quality commissions.
- Co-editor, Handbook of Accessible Communication (2019, 2024)
- Co-editor, book series "Easy – Plain – Accessible" (Frank & Timme)
- Federal government expert on digital accessibility
- Leader, Research Center for Easy Language
- Principal investigator, multiple third-party funded research projects
She mentors students and early-career researchers in translation, accessibility, and health communication. Her lab, the Research Center for Easy Language, conducts practice-oriented research in collaboration with public institutions, media organizations, and healthcare providers. Current initiatives include developing AI tools for accessible health texts and improving digital government services. Future work is expected to expand into multimodal communication, cross-linguistic accessibility, and international policy frameworks.
