Lena Recki

Lena Recki is a Research Associate and Doctoral student at the Department of Economics, Bonn Rhein Sieg University of Applied Sciences, where she supports professors in teaching and research while supervising bachelor's and master's theses. Her work bridges consumer behavior theory with digital technology ethics, focusing on human interactions with AI-driven pricing and scoring systems in the digital marketplace.

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (2012-2016), Bonn Rhein Sieg University of Applied Sciences
• Master of Science in Marketing (2016-2018), Bonn Rhein Sieg University of Applied Sciences
• Cooperative Promotion (PhD) since 2019, Bonn Rhein Sieg University of Applied Sciences

Her research centers on consumer perceptions of dynamic pricing algorithms and AI systems, examining how pricing transparency, risk attribution, and ethical design impact user trust and behavior. She investigates the psychological mechanisms behind blame attribution in AI failures and develops frameworks for ethically aligned XR design. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates behavioral economics, human-computer interaction, and consumer informatics to address real-world challenges in digital commerce and AI governance.

Recent publications (2020-2024) reveal a clear evolution from foundational work on explainable AI toward cutting-edge studies of user-perceived risks in consumer scoring and XR environments. Key thematic clusters include algorithmic transparency in pricing systems, ethical assessment methodologies for student designers, and societal implications of digital responsibility frameworks. Her work consistently emphasizes practical applications for policy design and human-centered AI development, with increasing focus on the German digital consumer society context.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Reiner-Clement scholarship from the Graduate Institute (2019-present)

Lena actively supervises theses on digital consumer behavior and AI ethics while conducting research funded by her Graduate Institute scholarship. Her work involves collaboration with interdisciplinary teams examining the societal impact of digital technologies, particularly through the lens of consumer informatics and ethical AI design. Current projects focus on translating user risk perception models into practical design guidelines for developers and policymakers.

Based in Sankt Augustin (office G137), her research is conducted within the Department of Economics framework, leveraging university resources for empirical studies on digital marketplace dynamics and participating in Graduate Institute initiatives on responsible technology development.