Kathrin Friedrich

Kathrin Friedrich is Professor of Media Studies: Digital Media Culture at the University of Bonn since April 2021, where she investigates the intersection of media studies and science studies with focus on digitization, visualization, and automation processes in medical and scientific contexts. Her theoretical work centers on adaptive media, examining how spatio-temporal critical media technologies influence perception, decision-making and action conditions.

Her research spans medical imaging, virtual reality applications, and digital humanities with particular emphasis on how digital media operations transform human perception and action. Current case studies include Virtual Reality in psychotherapy (as part of the DFG project Adaptive Images), Smart Farming/Virtual Fencing, and robotic and image-based interventions in surgery (Adaptive Imaging Group). Her work demonstrates how adaptive media technologies increasingly function as interfaces that not only convey information but also guide human actions.

Her publication trends reveal a consistent focus on the material and operational aspects of digital media, with increasing attention to ethical implications of virtual environments and the socio-technical conditions of in-virtuo research. The articles show progression from foundational work on medical imaging to contemporary investigations of adaptive media in diverse contexts including psychotherapy, surgery, and agricultural technologies.

Friedrich is actively involved in major research projects including InVirtuo 4.0 (Experimental Research in Virtual Environments), 4D Imaging (within the DFG Priority Program 'The Digital Image'), and Precision Farming (within the Collaborative Research Center Media of Cooperation). These projects demonstrate her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration across computer science, neuroscience, psychology, and media studies.

Her academic journey began with a master's degree in media studies, law, and sociology at Philipps University in Marburg (2001-2006), followed by doctoral research at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne where she received her PhD in Media Studies in 2015 with a dissertation titled 'Media Findings: Digital Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology.' Prior to her current position, she held research positions at the ZeM – Brandenburg Center for Media Studies, the Cluster of Excellence 'Image Knowledge Gestaltung,' and the Hermann von Helmholtz Centre for Cultural Techniques at Humboldt University of Berlin, with research stays in Sweden and Argentina.