Sven Stollfuß

Sven Stollfuß is a Professor of Media Change with a focus on book culture and digital publications at the Institute of Communication and Media Studies, University of Leipzig. He has held this position since February 2023 and leads several significant research projects, including the DFG project "Plattformisierung öffentlich-rechtlicher Medien" (Platformization of Public Service Media) which examines the ARD/ZDF Content Network funk. His academic journey includes serving as a Junior Professor for Digital Media Culture at Leipzig University (2016-2023), and he has held visiting positions at institutions including Université de Picardie Jules Verne in Amiens.

Dr. Stollfuß completed his PhD in Media Studies at Philipps-University Marburg between 2009-2012, where he also completed his undergraduate studies in Media Studies, New German Literature and European Ethnology. His academic career has included research positions at the University of Bayreuth, University of Mannheim, and Philipps-University Marburg.

Professor Stollfuß's research centers on the changing conditions of platformization in digital media, book, and publishing culture. His work investigates how digital platforms transform traditional media ecosystems, with particular attention to production, publication, and reception processes. He examines the reciprocal relationship between media and book culture in the digital age, contextualizing contemporary transformations within historical frameworks. His theoretical and methodological approach combines media and cultural studies with social science perspectives.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on platformization phenomena across multiple domains - from public service media networks to social reading platforms like Wattpad. A notable trend in his work is the examination of how algorithmic processes and data-driven publishing schemes reshape traditional book culture. His research also explores emerging phenomena like Bookstagram and BookTok, analyzing how social media transforms book reviewing and reading communities.

Professor Stollfuß is actively involved in research infrastructure development, serving on the Steering Board of the DFG Consortium for Research Data Management NFDI4Culture. He is building the Research Lab Digital Publishing Cultures, which aims to connect basic and innovation research on digital publishing transformations. His team currently consists of two research assistants, three student assistants, and administrative support.

The professorship under his leadership is developing innovative approaches to understanding media change, with particular emphasis on the intersection of traditional book culture and emerging digital platforms. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical investigations of contemporary media transformations.