Judith Ackermann

Prof. Dr. Judith Ackermann is a Research Professor for Digital and Networked Media in Social Work at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and leads the Digital Participation and Inclusion Lab (dpi-lab). She is also a regular visiting professor at the School of Design, Politecnico di Milano, and has previously taught at the Universities of Bonn and Siegen, as well as the Film University Potsdam.

Her research focuses on the intersection of digital technologies and social work, particularly in the areas of digital inclusion, postdigital art practices in cultural education, and participatory media design. She has led significant interdisciplinary research projects, including DFG and BMBF-funded initiatives, and was the academic coordinator of the graduate college 'Locating Media' at the University of Siegen. She is also the initiator of the international urban games festival playin’siegen.

The recent research projects highlight a strong trend in applying digital tools for social empowerment and inclusion, especially in vulnerable populations such as those experiencing social anxiety. Her work integrates aesthetic, technological, and pedagogical dimensions, reflecting a transdisciplinary approach to social innovation.

She has received research funding through major national grants, including two ongoing BMBF projects: 'Postdigital Art Practices in Cultural Education' and 'Digital Inclusion in the Context of Social Anxiety Disorders,' both reflecting her commitment to socially engaged, design-oriented research.

Dr. Ackermann leads the Digital Participation and Inclusion Lab (dpi-lab), a research team focused on participatory digital media development in social contexts. The lab fosters collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and community stakeholders to co-create inclusive digital solutions.