The digital transformation is fundamentally reshaping how society interacts with information. The internet not only provides users with unprecedented access to information of all kinds, but it also allows them to publicly evaluate and disseminate existing information, and even become sources of information themselves using simple means and in real-time. The empowering effects of this liberation from traditional "information gatekeepers" are particularly apparent in contexts where existing power asymmetries make it difficult to expose and condemn injustices. However, digital media also facilitate the spread of fake news, propaganda, and conspiracy theories, as well as new forms of digital violence.
Does digital transformation, therefore, carry the potential for individual disempowerment or disenfranchisement in dealing with information? Does it foster social networking and solidarity, or does it create polarization and hostility? The junior research group "Change" will address these questions and explore the potential effects of digital change on individuals and society in the context of pressing global challenges such as climate change, war, and migration. Our research aims to contribute to successfully overcoming the shared challenge of "digital change."
