Friedrich W. Hesse

Friedrich W. Hesse is the Scientific Director of the Research Cluster Digitization, Diversity and Lifelong Learning at FernUniversität in Hagen since 2020 and was its Founding Director in 2019. He previously held leadership roles, including Scientific Vice President of the Leibniz Association (2010–2018) and Founding Director of the Leibniz Institute for Knowledge Media (IWM). His research focuses on learning with digital media, leveraging Artificial Intelligence for personalized learning, mitigating information processing biases (e.g., confirmation bias), and enhancing computer-assisted collaboration through group awareness and multi-touch technologies.

His work explores the physical design of digital teaching/learning settings, integrating real and virtual spaces. Recent publications emphasize collaborative problem solving, decision-making under cognitive load, and social dynamics in digital education. He has secured funding from the DFG, BMBF, EU, and Leibniz Association.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the International Society of the Learning Sciences (ISLS)

Hesse serves on advisory boards for institutions like the Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society and Global Learning Council (GLC). His academic journey includes a chair in Applied Cognitive and Media Psychology at the University of Tübingen (1999–2019) and a habilitation at Göttingen University (1989).