2026
Here you will find content related to digital transformation: new publications and projects, vacancies, grant and funding announcements and much more.
News list
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DSI Newsletter – #2 2026
Ten years DSI – and there’s plenty to share. In this issue, we’re launching DSI Minds, a new series of portraits about the people behind DSI. We're also welcoming a new DSI Community, sharing our consultation response to a proposed Federal Act, and introducing a research project that's reshaping our view of cities through data. And in the latest DSI Insights, we explore the question of who AI should actually be built for.
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DSI Minds – Celebrating the People Behind the Digital Society Initiative
To mark the 10th anniversary of the Digital Society Initiative (DSI), we are launching a new series of portraits of the people behind the DSI.
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DSI Insights: Democratizing AI
AI doesn’t have to be big to be good. In the latest DSI Insights, DSI Professor Anastasiia Koloskova shows how new algorithms are making AI more efficient and compliant with data protection regulations – and how it can reach the places where it’s truly needed.
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Promotions for two DSI members
The Board of the University of Zurich has promoted has promoted DSI member Prof. Dr. Meredith Christine Shuman and Affiliated DSI Professor Alberto Bacchelli. We extend our heartfelt congratulations.
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Call for Proposals: Rapid Action Call to Strengthen Democratic Communities
The DIZH’s 5th Rapid Action Call is offering funding of up to CHF 75,000 for projects aimed at strengthening democratic resilience and civic participation – the application deadline is July 1, 2026.
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New DSI Community Digital Publics: Shaping the Digital Public Sphere Together
The DSI is bringing its research on the digital public sphere under one roof: The newly established DSI Community Digital Publics is an interdisciplinary platform to examine the opportunities and risks of digital transformation for public life.
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Research Awards for DSI Members: Congratulations
Three DSI members have received notable distinctions: Nina Hartrampf has been awarded the Werner Prize of the Swiss Chemical Society, Sascha Schneider ranks among the 50 most productive researchers in educational psychology worldwide, and Philipp Homan has been awarded the 2026 Hinliga Research Award. Congratulations to all.
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One DSI and three more UZH projects receive DIZH funding
In its 2nd Outreach Call, DIZH is funding eight projects that bring digital research into society. Among them is the DigitalForum of the Digital Society Initiative (DSI) as well as three further projects involving the University of Zurich. Each project receives up to CHF 50'000.
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New: UZH.ai Fellowship Track Within the DSI Excellence Program
The Digital Society Initiative and UZH.ai are joining forces to support the next generation of AI researchers at UZH. As of this year, doctoral candidates with an AI focus can apply for the UZH.ai Fellowship — a funded track within the DSI Excellence Program. The application deadline is April 6.
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DSI submits consultation response on new platform legislation
An interdisciplinary team at the University of Zurich has prepared and submitted a statement on the proposed Federal Act on Communication Platforms and Search Engines as part of the Digital Society Initiative's (DSI) fourth Strategy Lab.
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3 Questions about DAVALab – project in the «DSI Infrastructures & Labs» series
DSI Infrastructures & Labs are shareable infrastructures or structural vessels for creating collaborative research environments related to digital transformation. Teodora Vuković briefly introduces DAVALab, one of the projects in this series.
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DSI Newsletter – #1 2026
The DSI is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2026. In the first DSI News of this year, we therefore look back on a decade of impact on the digital society. And, of course, we also look to the future: we are already looking forward to our anniversary celebration on November 24, 2026. Mark this evening in your calendar.
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Welcome, Zhuo
Dr. Zhuo Lin will work as a Fellow of the DSI Community Work from mid-March to mid-May 2026.
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DSI Insights: Thanks to AI, God fits right in your pocket
In the latest column in the «DSI Insights» series, religious anthropologist Beth Singler shows how AI is increasingly shaping religious experiences – and why digital gods are more than just a technical curiosity.
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Inaugural Lectures – Spring Semester 2026
Newly appointed professors and private lecturers provide an overview of their respective research areas in their inaugural lectures, and at the same time offer an insight into the colorful diversity of teaching and research at the University of Zurich.
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10 years DSI – A decade of impact for the digital society
The Digital Society Initiative (DSI) at the University of Zurich is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Since its founding, the DSI has established itself as an interdisciplinary competence center that connects research, education and society in the context of digital transformation.
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Fifth DIZH Project Call: 12 new projects approved
In its fifth project call, the DIZH is funding twelve projects. These projects are characterized by their innovative strength, social relevance, and strong practical relevance. They range from intensive care units to classrooms to forensic institutes, from ancient inscriptions to deepfake voices.
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CYREN ZH Summer School 2026
CYREN ZH, a project of the DSI Community Cybersecurity, is organizing a summer school in June/July 2026 on the topic of «Human Factors in Cybersecurity and Privacy: Interdisciplinary Research Methods». The program is aimed at early-career researchers. Registrations are open until the end of April 2026.
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3 Questions about UDH – project in the «DSI Infrastructures & Labs» series
DSI Infrastructures & Labs are shareable infrastructures or structural vessels for creating collaborative research environments related to digital transformation. Prof. Dr. Esra Suel briefly introduces UDH, one of the projects in this series.
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UZH Innovation Hub: Grants, Fellowships & Worskhops
The UZH Innovation Hub is kicking off the new year with grants, fellowships, and a series of workshops. The DSI's partner organization supports master's graduates and early-stage researchers on their journey from research idea to practical application.
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Welcome to the DSI, Gemma
We are delighted to welcome Prof. Dr. Gemma Newlands as a DSI Professor. Gemma is an Assistant Professor in the Sociology of Societal Digitalization at the Department of Sociology at the University of Zurich.
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Citizen Science Summer School 2026: Co-Creating Knowledge
For the fifth time, Citizen Science Zurich, a partner organization of the DSI, is organizing the Citizen Science Summer School. The school brings together young researchers, practitioners, and citizen scientists to explore participatory research approaches.
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Horizon Europe: Calls on digital transformation
The Horizon Europe Work Program offers exciting funding opportunities in the area of digital transformation for 2026 and 2027. Examples include the importance of digital and media literacy, the impact of digital technologies on children and young people, and the social risks of new technologies such as AI.
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Promotions for two DSI Professors
The Board of the University of Zurich has promoted two DSI Professors, Karsten Donnay and Viktor von Wyl.
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DSI Excellence Program 2026: Call for applications now open
Applications are now open for the DSI Excellence Program 2026, an interdisciplinary doctoral program for PhD students. Starting in September 2026, the program prepares participants to critically engage with digital transformation across disciplines.
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2nd DIZH Founder Call: Congratulations to two teams from the DSI
In the second Founder Call, projects that aim to establish a start-up or spin-off are supported from the initial idea to the proof of concept. In particular, we would like to congratulate the two project teams with representatives from the DSI.
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3 Questions about OpenOSR – project in the «DSI Infrastructures & Labs» series
DSI Infrastructures & Labs are shareable infrastructures or structural vessels for creating collaborative research environments related to digital transformation. Prof. Dr. Manuel Günther briefly introduces OpenOSR, one of the projects in this series.