{"id":112802,"date":"2026-01-21T22:10:45","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T21:10:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hiig.de\/?page_id=112802"},"modified":"2026-08-28T15:59:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T13:59:27","slug":"digital-governance-lab","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hiig.de\/en\/digital-governance-lab\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital Governance Lab"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Digital Governance Lab is an interdisciplinary interface for innovative research formats and science communication within the research focus New Technologies and the Future of Law<\/em>. It serves as a space for dialogue and experimentation where insights from ongoing research are tested in practice, critically reflected upon and further developed in collaboration with societal stakeholders. The Lab focuses on how digital technologies can be shaped and regulated in society beyond purely technical solutions or exclusively legal approaches. It analyses the rules, procedures and responsibilities that structure the use of digital data, platforms and technologies. The central question is how these structures and processes can be designed to safeguard democratic values and principles, effectively protect rights and enable innovation at the same time. The Digital Governance Lab provides a platform for exchange between academia, politics, public administration, business and civil society to discuss and apply scientific knowledge in practice.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tContact\t<\/h3>\n

\n\t\t\tResearch Focus\t<\/h3>\n \t\n\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t

\n\t\tNew Technologies and the Future of Law<\/a>\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t

We examine when, how and by whom rules for technological innovations such as artificial intelligence, brain-computer interfaces and quantum technologies should be set. How can robust governance frameworks be implemented to achieve this?<\/p>\n\t\t

Platform Governance<\/h2>

Rules of digital public spheres<\/h3>\n

Digital platforms are key spaces of public communication. Rules, design choices and moderation practices shape how communication takes place, which content becomes visible and which content is restricted.<\/p>\n\t\t

Data Governance<\/h2>

Data, actors and infrastructures<\/h3>\n

Data form a central foundation of digital services and societal decision-making processes. Their use enables innovation and new forms of participation while simultaneously raising questions of responsibility, security and fairness.<\/p>\n\t\t

Code of Conduct: Strengthening Trust<\/a><\/h2>

This Code of Conduct addresses both platform operators and actors in EU policymaking. It defines ten guidelines for fair, transparent and accountable moderation processes on social media platforms. Its implementation aims to strengthen trust in human-machine decision-making in content moderation on digital platforms.<\/p>\n

The Code of Conduct was developed in collaboration with experts as part of the\u00a0 Human in the Loop?<\/a> research project.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExplore Codes\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t

\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Code\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t

Data Governance Guide<\/a><\/h2>

In many municipalities the potential of data remains underused. Our digital handbook supports public administrations in systematically planning and implementing data-driven projects – legally sound, sustainable and mindful of the interests of business, politics and civil society.<\/p>\n

The Data Governance Guide was developed within the research project Data & Smart City Governance<\/a>. A revised and expanded edition will be published as a book (expected summer 2026).<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUse Guide\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t

\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Data\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Consenter\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/figure>\n

Consenter<\/a><\/h3>

For informed consent and privacy online: A browser plugin lets users set their privacy and cookie preferences once and apply them automatically. A cookie banner helps website providers achieve genuine GDPR compliance in line with the state of the art.<\/p>\n

Consenter was developed by the academic spin-off Law & Innovation Technology<\/a>, based on interdisciplinary research at HIIG.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn more\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\"Wie\n\t<\/figure>\n

Understanding Personalisation online<\/h3>These educational materials explain to citizens how the personalisation of data online works, and the benefits and risks it brings. The aim is for users to make self-determined decisions about which data they share online and which they don’t.\n

The Open Educational Resources are being developed over the course of 2026 as part of the research project Safe in Data Traffic<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSoon available\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\"brAIn\n\t<\/figure>\n

brAIn fail<\/h3>Whether on social media, in law enforcement or in aviation: this escape game shows students where we already use automated systems to make decisions for us. They learn that even the best AI systems need humans who recognise their limits.\n

The game is being developed by the end of 2026 as part of the research project Human in the Loop?<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSoon available\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\tEvents\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEvents\n

  • \n\t\t\"Risks\n

    \nRisks of Personalized Content on the Internet – Research Findings in Dialogue<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThis workshop will explore how a newly developed risk model can help users to make informed decisions regarding their personal data.
    \n04.09.2026\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Workshop:\n

    \nWorkshop: More Successful Advertising Through More Informed Decisions<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThis workshop presents and discusses proposed solutions for managing personal data from the user’s perspective with experts from the fields of data protection, consumer protection and the digital economy.
    \n01.09.2026\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Are\n

    \nAre the kids alright? The protection of minors online and social media bans<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThis learning call, led by experts in the field, discusses the merits of and alternatives to an age ban for protecting minors in the digital sphere.
    \n24.08.2026\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Explaining\n

    \nExplaining personalisation on the internet in simple terms<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nIn this workshop, educational materials on personalisation on the internet (using advertising as an example) will be discussed and further developed.
    \n21.07.2026\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"GenAI\n

    \nGenAI and the DSA’s Systemic Risk Framework<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThis Learning Call will examine gender-based violence in the context of the Digital Services Act (DSA) systemic risks framework.
    \n25.06.2026\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"The\n

    \nThe Digital Services Act as a tool for tackling gender-based digital violence<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThis Learning Call will examine gender-based violence in the context of the Digital Services Act (DSA) systemic risks framework.
    \n13.05.2026\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Under\n

    \nUnder pressure: The DSA as source of transatlantic tensions<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nWe explore the transatlantic tensions surrounding the EU’s Digital Services Act and examine their political implications for the DSA’s future.
    \n18.03.2026\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Explore\n

    \nExplore how personalised advertising works<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThe workshop will explore how young people can be taught about data security in a playful way.
    \n17.03.2026\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Digitaler\n

    \nDigitaler Salon: Unfreiwillig & Selbstbestimmt<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nIn the January issue, we discuss cookie banners, the consent dilemma and ways to protect our data more effectively.
    \n28.01.2026\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Humans\n

    \nHumans & machines in (dis)harmony? – A walk through content moderation<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nA tour of our case study on (partially) automated decision-making processes in the context of content moderation.
    \n03.11.2025\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Overcoming\n

    \nOvercoming the digital backlog in German municipalities through data governance (II)<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThis digital learning call is about HIIG’s new Data Governance Guide – date option 20 May 2025.
    \n20.05.2025\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Overcoming\n

    \nOvercoming the digital backlog in German municipalities through data governance (I)<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThis digital learning call is about HIIG’s new Data Governance Guide – date option 14 May 2025.
    \n14.05.2025\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Workshop\n

    \nWorkshop on Micro-Credentials about Data<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThis workshop offers an insight into the foundation module of the micro-credential course “Mastering Data”.
    \n08.11.2024\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Zukunft\n

    \nZukunft der Content Moderation durch effektive Mensch-Maschine-Kollaboration<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThe Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society is organising a roundtable on the…
    \n07.10.2024\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Accept\n

    \nAccept or Decline? Personalized Advertising and Content on the Internet<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThis citizens’ workshop is about your perception of and opinion on personalised advertising and content on the internet.
    \n09.08.2024\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Bridging\n

    \nBridging the gap: Safeguarding Online Freedom Across the Atlantic<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nExperts discuss the interplay between communication rights and freedom of expression on the internet at a panel discussion in New York.
    \n29.04.2024\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Laboratory\n

    \nLaboratory for citizen participation: Better air quality through a traffic turnaround?<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nWe would like to develop ideas with them in an active workshop on what ideal citizen participation should look like in the future.
    \n25.11.2023\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Experts\n

    \nExperts Dialogue | Data models in public administration<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThe Alexander von Humboldt Institut f\u00fcr Internet und Gesellschaft organises an experts dialogue as part…
    \n08.09.2023\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Threats\n

    \nThreats to Democracy: Climate Misinformation and Gender Related Disinformation<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThis Deep Dive discusses strategies and tactics for dealing with gender-specific and climate-related misinformation.
    \n20.07.2023\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Advice\n

    \nAdvice from the advisory board: Potential of social media councils<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThis Deep Dive addresses the question of how platform councils can help strengthen the role of public interests, human rights, and values in the digital space.
    \n27.06.2023\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Potentials\n

    \nPotentials of Small Tech: What can we learn from the small platforms?<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThis Deep Dive looks at governance and regulation of digital platforms beyond the so-called “Big Five” dominant tech companies.
    \n16.05.2023\n\n<\/li>
  • \n\t\t\"Decentralisation\n

    \nDecentralisation as Democratisation: Mastodon instead of Platform Power<\/a>\n<\/h3>\nThis Deep Dive covers the discussion around common-good-oriented platforms in the Fediverse and various independent decentralized services like Mastodon.
    \n18.04.2023\n\n<\/li>\n\t\t

    Digital Society Blog<\/a><\/h3>

    Here, our institute’s researchers write about the key questions facing digital society. Read articles on topics such as AI, democracy, work, knowledge, platform regulation and sustainability.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead articles\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n