Ina Kathrin Schieferdecker

Prof. Ina Schieferdecker is a renowned academic and researcher with over 30 years of experience in mathematical computer science, digital transformation, and technological innovation. Currently serving as an Honorary Professor at Technische Universität Berlin since 2021, she has held leadership roles such as Director at Fraunhofer FOKUS, General Director at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and co-founder of the Weizenbaum-Institut für die vernetzte Gesellschaft. Her research focuses on digitalization and sustainability, software quality engineering, IoT testing, and urban data platforms.

Education: She earned a Diploma in Mathematical Computer Science from Humboldt-Universität (1985–1990), followed by a PhD in performance-oriented communication protocol specifications at TU Berlin (1991–1994). She also completed a research stay at the International Computer Science Institute in Berkeley (1996).

Research Interests: Her work spans digital sustainability transformation, software-based innovation, technological sovereignty, and quality engineering. Key areas include model-based testing, security testing, smart city frameworks, and open data governance. She pioneered the UML Testing Profile and contributed to the development of TTCN-3 testing standards.

Key Achievements: Co-founded the Weizenbaum Institute to explore societal impacts of digital technologies. Led initiatives in AI, quantum computing, and 6G research at the Federal Ministry. Recognized with the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach-Stiftung award for advancing automated test design and model-based testing.

Awards: Recipient of the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach-Stiftung award for her contributions to testing methodologies and software quality.

Grants and Labs: Founded Fraunhofer FOKUS’s Test Lab and led the Berlin Center for Digital Transformation. Active in industry partnerships through roles like CSO at Testing Technologies IST GmbH and board memberships in innovation foundations.

Labs/Teams: Headed the System Quality Center at Fraunhofer FOKUS and collaborated internationally on testing frameworks with teams in Sophia-Antipolis, Budapest, and beyond.