Matthias Braun

Matthias Braun is Professor of Social Ethics at the Faculty of Protestant Theology at the University of Bonn, holding the Chair of (Social) Ethics since the winter semester of 2022/23. Previously, he was head of the junior research group "Ethics and Governance of New Technologies" at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg until 2022. His academic journey includes research positions at institutions in Marburg, Erlangen, Bergen, Maastricht, and Oxford.

Braun's research focuses on the ethical and governance challenges of emerging technologies, particularly examining how new technologies change social forms of life and institutions. His work spans political ethics, AI ethics, digital twin technology, data governance, and theological ethics. Using empirical and analytical-hermeneutic methods, he assesses social values and norms to develop responsible approaches to technological development.

His recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated examinations of technology's societal impacts, with a growing emphasis on practical implementation of ethical frameworks. The research shows deep engagement with both theoretical foundations and concrete applications, particularly in healthcare contexts where ethical considerations have immediate real-world consequences.

• European Research Council research award recipient
• Falling Walls Award in Social Science and Humanities

Braun leads the ERC-funded project on the ethics of digital twins and collaborates extensively across disciplinary boundaries. His work with the Collaborative Research Center EmpkinS and the Transdisciplinary Research Center "Life & Health" demonstrates his commitment to bridging academic research with practical societal concerns. Through initiatives like the Lunch Series on "Ethics, AI, and Health" and the "SciCom with Kids" program, he actively engages with diverse audiences to foster public discourse on technology ethics.