Digital Humanities, Social and Human Sciences

Research in the Digital Heritage branch aims to develop information technologies specifically for scholars in the humanities. The spectrum of these activities ranges from the analysis and reconstruction of historical monuments to the development of a federation platform for multimedia research data. One unique feature of this work is the development of integrated computing solutions for the documentation of both text-based and non-textual material heritage.

The Digital Teaching and Learning branch examines how teaching and learning situations can be supported by technology and its impact on long-term learning, transfer, and inclusion outcomes. For example, apps are developed and evaluated based on evidence. This specialist field also places emphasis on didactic perspectives and investigates in particular how information technology devices can be used in teaching-learning situations or how subject-specific media concepts are best designed.

The Cognition and Interaction research branch is concerned with the study of natural and artificial cognitive systems and their interaction. Research is approached from two perspectives. On the one hand, artificial intelligence methods are used to develop cognitive models which help provide a deeper understanding of cognitive processes. On the other hand, empirical studies and insights from the fields of psychology and sociology provide a stimulus for the development of artificial cognitive systems.

What is the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on our society, how does AI change personality, learning and teaching, social interaction, culture, work and everyday life? The Artificial Intelligence branch in the Humanities, Social and Human Sciencesresearch focus sees AI as both a research method for analysing large amounts of data and performing complex tasks in an automated way, and as a topic to explore in order to understand the significance and effects of AI and to identify and consistently develop suitable applications.

Research in the Sociotechnical Systems research branch focuses on how individuals in groups, networks, organisations and societies can, and do, use information and communication technologies, and how interactions in these social contexts can be analysed using adequate methods. These include software solutions for the organisation of interactive forms of civic participation and methods for the analysis and visualisation of social interactions.