Communication Science with a Focus on Digitalization and the Public Sphere

Welcome to the Research and Teaching Area on Digitalization and the Public Sphere

The digital transformation is reshaping the conditions of the political public sphere worldwide. Platforms, algorithmic curation, and new forms of visual communication are increasingly shaping how information circulates, how opinions are formed, and how democratic processes are structured.

The Chair of Communication Studies, with a focus on digitalization and the public sphere, examines these developments from a comparative and international perspective. The central question is how digital media environments influence public discourse, political communication, and societal resilience.

Research Focus

Digitalization and the Transformation of the Public Sphere

We analyze how public communication is structurally changing under the conditions of digital platforms. In doing so, we examine processes of news production and reception as well as the dynamics of visibility, attention, and fragmentation. Our goal is to theoretically contextualize the transformation of the political public sphere and to examine it empirically through comparative analysis.

Political Communication in International Comparison

Political communication is embedded in institutional, media, and cultural contexts. We view media structures as opportunity structures that can enable, limit, or distort communication processes. In comparative studies, we analyze differences in the production, dissemination, use, and impact of political communication across countries.

Digital Platforms and Algorithmic Environments

Platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch are increasingly structuring political communication algorithmically. We examine digital spaces for interaction—from user comments to multimodal content—and analyze how platform logic influences public discourse.

Resilience to Disinformation

A particular focus is on researching disinformation, AI-generated content, and forms of digital manipulation. We examine their content, dissemination, and impact and develop evidence-based approaches to strengthen societal resilience. In doing so, we combine individual, structural, and systemic perspectives.