Marcus Bösch

Marcus Bösch serves as a Researcher at the Department of Information and Media Communication within the Faculty of Design, Media and Information at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences. He is currently active as a research associate in the BMBF-funded HybriD project focused on real-time detection of hybrid disinformation campaigns in online media through information triangulation with journalism and business experts.

Education:

• M.A. in Political Science, Medieval and Modern History, and Media Informatics (University of Cologne and University of Cambridge)
• M.A. in Game Development and Research (TH Köln/Cologne University of Applied Sciences)
• Volunteer training at Deutsche Welle

His research centers on the intersection of digital platforms and societal impact, with specialized expertise in TikTok's political communication dynamics during elections, hybrid disinformation detection, and immersive storytelling techniques. He examines how algorithmic opacity affects democratic processes while exploring virtual reality's transformative potential in investigative journalism. His work bridges media studies, political science, and emerging technologies to address contemporary challenges in digital information ecosystems.

Analysis of his 2019-2021 publications reveals a concentrated focus on TikTok's evolving role in German political communication, particularly during the 2021 federal election. His research demonstrates methodological innovation in studying opaque platforms while connecting disinformation studies with immersive media applications. The consistent emphasis on real-world verification through expert triangulation highlights his practical approach to digital media challenges.

Marcus Bösch actively contributes to the HybriD project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), which develops detection frameworks for hybrid disinformation campaigns. Since 2020, he has published the influential weekly newsletter Understanding TikTok, establishing himself as a key analyst of platform dynamics. His work integrates academic research with industry and journalism practice through the project's triangulation methodology.

He operates within the HybriD research team at HAW Hamburg, collaborating with cross-sector experts to develop real-time disinformation detection systems. This project structure facilitates direct knowledge transfer between academic research, journalistic practice, and business intelligence applications in the digital media landscape.