معرفی
Renate Fischer is a Senior Research & Teaching Associate at the University of Zurich's Department of Communication and Media Research (IKMZ), affiliated with the Internet & Society Team. She holds a PhD in Communication Studies from the University of Zurich, completed in 2024 with a thesis examining the digital transformation of public spheres and its implications for local democracy. Her academic career includes roles at the University of Zurich’s Evaluation Office and the Office of the Vice President for Education and Student Affairs, alongside a 10-year tenure in Zurich City Parliament (2012–2022), including a period as Parliament President.
Her research focuses on the intersection of digital media, political communication, and democratic processes. Key themes include the effects of digital platforms on public spheres, the evolving role of journalism in democracy, and monitoring frameworks for local civic discourse. She co-developed a comparative monitoring tool for analyzing local public spheres through a multi-university project involving the University of Zurich, Freie Universität Berlin, and vhw-Bundesverband für Wohnen und Stadtentwicklung.
Renate is actively involved in science communication initiatives, including organizing the 2024 conference on 'Science Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.' She frequently engages in interdisciplinary discussions about AI's societal impacts, media trust, and democratic resilience. Her work bridges theoretical research with practical policy recommendations to strengthen democratic institutions through informed media ecosystems.
