Michael M. Zwick

Dr. Michael M. Zwick is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Social Sciences, specifically at the Chair of Sociology of Technology and Environment at the University of Stuttgart, a position he has held since October 2024. Previously, he served as academic staff at the same chair from 1999 to October 2024. His research focuses on the intersection of society, technology, and environmental issues, with particular expertise in risk perception and public attitudes toward technological change.

Dr. Zwick's research interests span several interconnected domains:

• Sociology of technology and digitalization
• Environmental sociology and sustainability
• Risk perception and risk communication
• Public understanding of science and technology
• Social aspects of bioeconomy and genetic engineering
• Health risks, particularly obesity in children and youth

His recent publications, particularly through the TechnikRadar project, reveal a consistent focus on how German society perceives and evaluates technological change. The research shows Germans often have ambivalent attitudes toward digitalization, expressing both interest in potential benefits while voicing significant concerns about privacy, autonomy, and societal impacts. His work on obesity and health risks demonstrates how social and cultural factors shape health outcomes, particularly among children and youth. Zwick's methodological approach combines quantitative surveys with qualitative analysis to provide nuanced insights into complex social phenomena.

Dr. Zwick has led or contributed to numerous research projects funded by organizations including the Körber Foundation, the German Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech), and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). His TechnikRadar project represents an ongoing effort to monitor German public opinion on technology through regular representative surveys.