ZeMKI Visiting Research Fellows 2026
ZeMKI, Centre for Media, Communication and Information Research
The Centre for Media, Communication and Information Research (ZeMKI) is one of seven central research units at the University of Bremen and is one of the important European institutions researching questions into media-related transformations at the interface of the cultural, social, and technical sciences. Our research focuses on the emerging digital society in terms of the inequalities it generates while probing the historicity of their genesis and the challenges posed by algorithmic systems, automation, and the burgeoning datafied society. ZeMKI coordinates the international „Communicative AI“ research unit.
Investigating how deep mediatization transforms society — at the intersection of culture, communication, and technology.
Exploring how communicative AI reshapes the fabric of societal communication — and what futures it opens and forecloses.
Developing and refining digital methods in context — combining computational approaches with qualitative depth.
News
Rafael Grohmann (University of Toronto, Canada): Worker-led AI governance in cultural industries
- Datum: 16. June 2026
- Location: Bremer Presse-Club
Abstract This presentation examines worker-led AI governance, understood as the collective ability of workers, through unions, cooperatives, grassroots collectives, and social movements, to shape how AI is used, managed, deployed, negotiated, or refused at work. Grounded in ongoing empirical research with cultural workers across the Americas, the talk analyzes one specific dimension of worker-led AI (…)
8. April 2026
Prof. Dr. Simone Natale (University of Turin): AI, Agency, and Power Geometries
- Datum: 26. May 2026
- Location: Bremer Presse-Club
Abstract One of the paradoxes of AI is that it is a global phenomenon, but at the same time, it is always situated in specific, local contexts and cultures. While approaches that aim to study local cultures of AI are important, there is the risk of neglecting their insertion within the broader geographies and politics (…)
8. April 2026
Gabriela Molina León (Aarhus university, Denmark): The Impact of GenAI on Visualization Research and Practice
- Datum: 5. May 2026
- Location: Bremer Presse-Club
Abstract Generative AI has become a significant trend in visualization research and practice since the release of ChatGPT in 2022. Despite this, we do not know enough about how visualization professionals are actually using Generative AI, its benefits, and disadvantages. In this talk, I will present a series of projects that illustrate the current advances (…)
8. April 2026
Research Colloquia Begin in the Summer Semester with Prof. Dr. Greg Elmer
1. April 2026
Filmfest Bremen 2026: First Jury Prize in the “Klappe!” short film competition goes to Lukas Brennecke
On March 28, the award ceremony for the “Klappe!” short film competition was once again held as part of Filmfest Bremen. This year, the First Jury Prize went to Lukas Brennecke, a former master’s student at ZeMKI and the University of Bremen. In this context, Lukas Brennecke gave us a closer look at the creative (…)
31. March 2026
Short Interview with Prof. Dr. Emilija Gagrčin
On March 18, 2026, ZeMKI welcomed Prof. Dr. Emilija Gagrčin as a new member. In a short interview, Emilija Gagrčin outlined her academic career, shared her thoughts on ZeMKI and Bremen, and elaborated on her research focus, “Media Societies and the Good Life.” About Emilija Gagrčin Emilija Gagrčin is Assistant Professor of Communication and Media (…)
30. March 2026
Short Interview with Mercator Fellow Axel Bruns
30. March 2026
“We The (Social) Media” Project: Research on Social Networks, Activism, and Content Moderation
30. March 2026