Current Research Projects (funded)

Trust and Communication in a Digitized World (DFG Research Training group 1712/1).
Funding period: 01.04.2012 – 31.03.2021

The Research Training Group “Trust and Communication in a Digitized World” examines how trust can be developed and maintained against the backdrop of the contexts of new forms of communication. Digitized means of communication change the structure and sustainability of trust because firstly, familiar face-to-face communication is replaced by digitized interactions, secondly, virtual social and office networks emerge and finally, because new forms of relationships between the public, organisations and individuals develop. The postgraduate programme analyses the consequences of these processes for the establishment of trust relationships by the example of four prototypical areas: media, economy, science and sports. On the basis of specific trust problems identified for these fields of research, the doctoral researchers investigate questions of trust at three analytical levels: individuals, organisations and the public sphere. In order to examine the concepts of trust and communication in the overlapping research areas and dimensions, scholars from the field of communication studies, economics, information systems, psychology and sports science will cooperate within the framework of the interdisciplinary research programme.

Homepage of the Research Training Group
Rainer Bromme (applicant)