Christina Elmer

Christina Elmer is Professor for Digital Journalism and Data Journalism at the Institute of Journalism, Technical University of Dortmund. Prior to her academic career, she held significant positions at DER SPIEGEL as Deputy Head of Development, Member of the Editorial Board of SPIEGEL ONLINE, Head of the Data Journalism Department, and Science Editor (2013-2021). She is recognized as a leading expert in data journalism, AI in media, and digital transformation of journalism.

Elmer's research focuses on data journalism, algorithmic accountability, and the integration of artificial intelligence in journalistic workflows. Her work explores how digital transformation affects media production, distribution, and reception, with particular attention to user-centered journalism, ethical dimensions of digital media, and the development of editorial products. She has pioneered approaches to structured journalism and modular content creation that adapt to changing audience needs.

Her recent publications examine AI's impact on journalism, methods for combating disinformation, and strategies for maintaining journalistic integrity in algorithmically mediated information ecosystems. Her work shows a clear trend toward investigating how journalism can maintain societal relevance while adapting to technological changes, with increasing focus on AI systems as both tools and challenges for quality journalism.

• scoop award of the nextMedia.Hamburg initiative, 2023
• Helmut Schmidt Journalist Prize (second prize) for 'Blackbox Schufa', 2019
• Philip Meyer Award (third place) for 'Hanna and Ismail', 2018
• dpa-infografik Award for 'Die Pendlerrepublik', 2018
• Journalistin des Jahres, Fachkategorie Wissenschaft, 2016
• Deutscher Journalistenpreis Forst & Holz (Print), 2007

Elmer actively contributes to the journalism community as a board member of Netzwerk Recherche (serving as second chair 2021-2023), shareholder of AlgorithmWatch, and member of various advisory boards including Science Media Center Germany and MIP.labor. She frequently collaborates with students through the KURT student editorial team, guiding them in applying design thinking to develop new journalistic formats. Her approach emphasizes the importance of user-centered thinking while maintaining journalistic integrity in the digital age.