The digital transformation poses profound challenges for society, politics and science. The Network of Institutes for Digitalisation Research (NIfD) was established in autumn 2024 to meet these challenges with independent and interdisciplinary research in the long term. The initiative brings together six interdisciplinary research institutions that have been working closely together since 2021: the Alexander von Humboldt Institut für Internet und Gesellschaft (HIIG), the Bavarian Research Institute for Digital Transformation (bidt), the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS), the Hans-Bredow-Institut (HBI), the Weizenbaum-Institut (WI) and the Centre Responsible Digitality (ZEVEDI).
Diversity as a principle of scientific excellence
Each institution in the network has its own profile and specific research focus. This institutional and thematic diversity strengthens both competition and the opportunities for collaboration and thus makes an important contribution to the quality and innovative power of digitisation research. Networking meetings are held once a year at different locations of the partner institutions. At these meetings, managers and those responsible for various areas – such as communication, transfer or research infrastructure – come together to discuss current developments and common challenges.
Aims of the interdisciplinary exchange
The aim of the network is to promote collaboration between the partners – both in the form of overarching cooperation within the entire network and through bilateral or multilateral partnerships between individual institutions.
The network offers a platform for the continuous exchange of experience in the field of interdisciplinary digitisation research and enables the partners to pool their common interests and represent them effectively. It also serves as a space for exploring and initiating cooperation in research projects. In addition to content-related cooperation, the focus is also on joint activities in the areas of transfer, social dialogue and science communication. A particular concern of the network is the promotion of interdisciplinary scientific careers. To this end, joint event formats such as DigiSem and DigiMeet, a qualification programme and an exchange programme for doctoral candidates and postdocs are offered.
Further objectives include the joint application for third-party funding projects as well as joint digital and science policy statements and the consideration of the partner institutions’ perspectives in political committees. Furthermore, the improvement of the national and international visibility of the institutions and their research results and joint initiatives to improve data availability.
Participating institutions in the network
Event: panel discussion at re:publica
(Dis)inform yourself! Facts instead of myths, research instead of gut feeling
Panel discussion with Andreas Jungherr (bidt), Miriam Milzner (Weizenbaum-Institut) and Josephine B. Schmitt (CAIS) on 26.05.2025 at re:publica in Berlin.
Contact persons
