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Latest articles

May 5, 2026

On the Ethics of Metaverses

Metaverses promise numerous new opportunities in areas such as work and the economy, gaming and entertainment, commerce and marketing, art and culture, as well as health and therapy. At the same time, however, the use of such virtual, immersive 3D environments also entails a number of risks, particularly with regard to data protection and privacy, psychological and social impacts, economic dependencies, as well as other ethical and legal issues. It is precisely at this intersection of new opportunities and emerging risks that a current research project based at IZEW on privacy, ethics, and IT security in metaverses is situated. This article presents the background, focus areas, methods, and objectives of the project. Central to this is the question of the ethical challenges that arise in the design and use of metaverses.

Article

April 29, 2026

The Debate Over Social Media Bans: Ethical Reflections on Children’s Digital Well-being Using the Example of Australia’s Social Media Ban

In the current debate over a social media ban for children, various interests and perspectives converge in the discourse surrounding children’s “digital well-being.” This article uses the example of the social media ban in Australia to outline the different positions and situate them within the national discussion from an ethical perspective. In doing so, the concept of digital well-being is presented as a possible approach within a network of necessary measures.

Article

April 1, 2026

The IZEW Ethics-Tools Lab: A Toolkit for Teaching Ethics

How can ethics be integrated into technology development, research processes, or (higher) education? Ethics tools can help individuals recognize, evaluate, and incorporate ethical aspects of their practical contexts into their decision-making and actions. As part of the ANKER project, the IZEW Ethics-Tools Lab has compiled such ethics tools, which were (co-)developed by IZEW staff. The aim is to make this integral part of our work - often receiving less visibility and recognition compared to publications in academic journals - publicly accessible.

Article

Technology and AI

May 5, 2026

On the Ethics of Metaverses

Metaverses promise numerous new opportunities in areas such as work and the economy, gaming and entertainment, commerce and marketing, art and culture, as well as health and therapy. At the same time, however, the use of such virtual, immersive 3D environments also entails a number of risks, particularly with regard to data protection and privacy, psychological and social impacts, economic dependencies, as well as other ethical and legal issues. It is precisely at this intersection of new opportunities and emerging risks that a current research project based at IZEW on privacy, ethics, and IT security in metaverses is situated. This article presents the background, focus areas, methods, and objectives of the project. Central to this is the question of the ethical challenges that arise in the design and use of metaverses.

Article

Education / Science

February 17, 2026

Complex communication: areas of tension in inclusive science communication

The question of with whom and how to engage in scientific dialogue that also addresses previously neglected audiences and/or vulnerable groups (children and young people, people with cognitive impairments, migrants, etc.) is a complex one. These issues are addressed in science communication research in the DiversPrivat project. The following article discusses some of the questions addressed there.

Article

Sustainability

July 17, 2025

Wellbeing@ University of Tübingen

Wellbeing is relevant for all people. The promotion of health and thus wellbeing is also a central goal of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. But what does wellbeing mean in the context of sustainable development and how can it be achieved and promoted at the University of Tübingen (UT)? Our ‘6 Ways to Wellbeing’ campaign offers one approach. The ways we have jointly identified to improve wellbeing at UT - Be active, Connect, Eat well, Be relaxed, Keep Learning and Get and give - offer impulses for action for students and staff at UT linked to health programmes.

Article

Security

April 29, 2026

The Debate Over Social Media Bans: Ethical Reflections on Children’s Digital Well-being Using the Example of Australia’s Social Media Ban

In the current debate over a social media ban for children, various interests and perspectives converge in the discourse surrounding children’s “digital well-being.” This article uses the example of the social media ban in Australia to outline the different positions and situate them within the national discussion from an ethical perspective. In doing so, the concept of digital well-being is presented as a possible approach within a network of necessary measures.

Article

Diversity

15th December 2023

Grotesque Women in the Media

The media exert a significant influence on body images. They confirm cultural ideals of beauty, disseminate idealised images and influence social norms and values. This article will focus on how the grotesque, repulsive, obscene body, of all things, can contribute to breaking down such powerful representational conventions and questioning normative ideas of femininity.

Article

Society

October 27, 2025

Academics in Activism?

There is broad consensus among climate scientists around the world that the climate crisis is human-made and that urgent action is needed on all levels of society for climate mitigation and adaptation. But is it justified for academics as academics to take part in public protests against the climate crisis or in support of climate justice? Or should they—if they wish to do so—participate only in their capacity as private citizens, without displaying visible symbols of their scientific profession, such as lab coats or academic robes?

Article

Media

June 12, 2025

Refigured ethics. Moral negotiations in dealing with images of violence

The way we deal with images of violence is changing. What was once considered taboo is now often just a click away in the digital world. Videos of violence circulate on social networks, photos from war zones are shared millions of times and while some see them as necessary documents of reality, others consume them with voyeuristic fascination. But what does this change in behaviour mean for our ethical standards?

Article

Leadership

January 29, 2025

Madness as a strategy. Ethics of conviction and responsibility in politics

Richard Nixon's “Madman Theory” was intended to deter opponents in the Vietnam War through unpredictable behavior. But how did he combine ethics of responsibility with ethics of conviction - and still fail? The article sheds light on how calculated madness was used as a political tool and what parallels can still be drawn today.

Article

More topics

April 1, 2026

The IZEW Ethics-Tools Lab: A Toolkit for Teaching Ethics

How can ethics be integrated into technology development, research processes, or (higher) education? Ethics tools can help individuals recognize, evaluate, and incorporate ethical aspects of their practical contexts into their decision-making and actions. As part of the ANKER project, the IZEW Ethics-Tools Lab has compiled such ethics tools, which were (co-)developed by IZEW staff. The aim is to make this integral part of our work - often receiving less visibility and recognition compared to publications in academic journals - publicly accessible.

Article