Human, Digitality, Society

Content and Objectives of the Doctoral Program

In the doctoral program ‘Human, Digitality, Society’ of the Department of Media and Interactions, scientific engagement with digital transformation at the interface between technical systems and humans/society is central. Among the key topics are:

• Human-centered technology development in an increasingly digitalized society
• The effects of digital transformation on individuals and society, and the interplay within socio-technical systems
• The conception, development, and design of technical systems with regard to usability, user experience, functionality, data protection, and information security
• Human resources for the use of technical systems
• Digital collaboration of people in groups, following research traditions such as Science and Technology Studies (STS), Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), and Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL)
• Acceptance of digital transformation in private, economic, and governmental contexts

To analyze and design these complex processes, multiple research perspectives and academic disciplines are needed — especially computer science, psychology, and design, but also social sciences, economics, public administration, or the humanities.

Doctoral candidates enrolled in the program are supervised by a team of three professors. Their integration into the research environment of the Department of Media and Interactions ensures close connection to the academic disciplines relevant to their doctoral projects and actively promotes interdisciplinary exchange. The program’s mandatory and elective components support candidates in acquiring key subject-specific, methodological, and interdisciplinary competencies, preparing them for a digitalized working world, an academic career, or a specialist or leadership position outside academia in the media industry — particularly in innovation-driven companies in the digital economy — or in the education and cultural sector.

Target Groups and Admission Requirements

This program is primarily intended for doctoral candidates with:

• a degree in a field close to computer science (natural sciences or engineering orientation),
• a degree in psychology or design with a focus on conception, development, and/or evaluation of technical systems from a human-centered perspective, or
• a social, economic, public administration, or humanities degree with a focus on the requirements of technical systems or the effects of digital systems or processes on people and society.

To be admitted as a doctoral candidate in the department and to be able to pursue a doctorate within the program, the following requirements must be fulfilled:

• a degree that entitles to pursue a doctorate according to § 67 (4) of the Higher Education Act,
• a convincing doctoral project that fits the program (see also the exposé guidelines),
• supervision by a professorial member of the department and proposals for a complete supervision team (see also Confirmation of Supervision),
• a degree in humanities, social or cultural studies, or design and arts, evaluated at least with grade “good”.

Admission as a doctoral candidate is decided by the doctoral examining committee.

Structure of the Program

The doctoral program consists of a mandatory and an elective component. It supports doctoral candidates in

1. engaging deeply with their research topics and critically reflecting on their scientific practices,
2. dealing with the research areas ‘Digital Society’, ‘Human-Machine Interaction’ and positioning themselves within these areas,
3. networking within the scientific community both inside and outside the department, and
4. developing transversal key qualifications.

The doctoral program is designed for a duration of three years, and should ordinarily be completed within five years. Extensions are possible upon request.