Second conference of the Academy of Sociology at the University of Konstanz from 25 to 27 September 2019
Second conference of the Academy of Sociology at the University of Konstanz from 25 to 27 September 2019

The potentials and risks of digitalization

“Digital Societies”: conference of the Academy of Sociology to take place from 25 to 27 September 2019 at the University of Konstanz

Digitalization is one of the megatrends of this century and will continue to impact many aspects of society. The social sciences have just begun to study and understand the profound changes that digitalization is bringing about. The second conference of the Academy of Sociology focuses on the effects that digitalization has on social structures and processes. It will take place at the University of Konstanz from 25 to 27 September 2019. Chair of the conference committee is Thomas Hinz, professor of empirical social research at the University of Konstanz. 

“Society has huge expectations about the benefits that digitalization has to offer and, of course, huge fears about its risks. Sometimes people seem to forget that digitalization has already made a significant impact on the lives of many people and societies around the world. The aim of the conference is to bring together sociological knowledge of the potentials and possible risks of digitalization”, says Thomas Hinz.

The participating researchers will address questions such as: In what ways does digitalization impact the labour market? Do digital media contribute to the increased polarization of opinions? How do social networks change as a result of digitalization? What role does digitalization play in migration and terrorism? Who loses out due to workplace automation? What potential does Big Data provide for the analysis of social processes?

Special highlights will be lectures by renowned digitalization researchers from the U.S., Great Britain, the Netherlands and Switzerland, as well as the first award ceremony for the Academy’s doctoral thesis prize. Participants will also have the opportunity to join several sessions focusing on central, general topics of the social studies, such as social inequality or migration. 

The Academy of Sociology was founded in 2017 and is based in Mannheim. Its aim is to promote analytical-empirical research and make its findings more accessible to the public. The conference will be hosted biennially at different locations. 

Media representatives are cordially invited to the Academy of Sociology’s conference at the University of Konstanz from 25 to 27 September 2019. On request, the participating researchers will be available for interviews.

Please direct your media enquiries to Professor Holger Lengfeld, the academy’s public relations representative by contacting: 

University of Konstanz
Communications and Marketing
Phone: +49 7531 88-3603
Email: kum@uni-konstanz.de

Facts:

  • Second conference of the Academy of Sociology at the University of Konstanz from 25 to 27 September 2019 
  • Topic: “Digital Societies” 
  • Lectures by renowned digitalization researchers from the U.S., Great Britain, the Netherlands and Switzerland
  • Academy of Sociology founded in 2017 and based in Mannheim