Centre for Digital Cultures

Organisational unit: Institute

Organisation profile

Contemporary culture is characterized by the ubiquity of digital media technologies and infrastructures, which are constantly configuring our techniques for processing, storing, and transmitting data. As a result, our everyday practices of connecting, relating, reading, writing, perceiving, sharing, competing, and communicating are undergoing significant changes. At the same time, these technologies are closely tied to major societal challenges such as climate change, global conflicts, digital divides and social unjustness. In this dynamic context, the Centre for Digital Cultures (CDC) directly addresses the emergence of new and complex qualities of vernacular socio-technical life. This involves the development of advanced theory and innovative study programmes. We are concerned with the question of how we can understand and shape digital cultures today​​​​​​​.

Main research areas

The digital shift re-shapes the cultural sectors, and, indeed, everyday life, politics, law, and economics. the Centre for Digital Cultures (CDC), affiliated to Leuphana University of Lüneburg, examines this shift through a range of interdisciplinary methodologies, including media, cultural and social studies, through knowledge creation and transfer, as well as by developing experimental and interventionist media practices. Established in 2012, as one of the first research centres in Europe to research the emergence of digital cultures, the CDC continues to produce cutting-edge research on socio-technical regimes of inclusion and exclusion. Since its inception, the CDC has built an innovative network and research environment, where academic institutions, practitioners, and civil society stakeholders engage with new concepts, formats, and applications within digital cultures.

Current Research Areas

  • Climate Futures
  • (B)Orders, Identities and Belonging in the Digital Age
  • Cities, Infrastructures, Logistics, Platforms 
  1. 2014
  2. Published

    The Network Dynamics of Movements

    Apprich, C., 2014, In: spheres - Journal for Digital Cultures. 1, 1, p. 1-4 4 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsResearch

  3. Published

    The revolution will not be televised: Youtube auf dem Weg zum Nachrichtenmedium?

    Novy, L., 2014, Medienwandel kompakt 2011 - 2013: Netzveröffentlichungen zu Medienökonomie, Medienpolitik & Journalismus. Kappes, C., Krone, J. & Novy, L. (eds.). Wiesbaden: Springer VS, p. 233-234 2 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksChapterpeer-review

  4. Published

    To See and to Be (With) - Reflections on the Ecology of Web Videos

    Simons, S., 2014, In: spheres - Journal for Digital Cultures. 1, 1, 6 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsCritical reviewsResearch

  5. Published

    Transparenz und Geheimnis

    Beyes, T. & Pias, C., 2014, In: Zeitschrift für Kulturwissenschaften. 8, 2, p. 111-117 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  6. Published

    Variations on Klee’s Cosmographic Method

    Hörl, E., 2014, Grain, Vapor, Ray: Textures of the Anthropocene. Klingan, K., Sepahvand, A., Rosol, C. & Scherer, B. M. (eds.). London: The MIT Press, Vol. Ray: Vol. III. p. 180-192 13 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  7. Published

    Virtuelle Realität, 3D und Simulation

    Warnke, M., 2014, Bild: Ein interdisziplinäres Handbuch. Günzel, S. & Mersch, D. (eds.). Stuttgart: J.B. Metzler, p. 273-277 5 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksArticles for encyclopediaResearch

  8. Published

    Welche Öffentlichkeiten? Einleitung

    Beyes, T., 2014, Soziale Medien – neue Massen: Medienwissenschaftliches Symposion der DFG. Baxmann, I., Beyes, T. & Pias, C. (eds.). Zürich: Diaphanes Verlag, p. 231-235 5 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  9. Published

    „Wer Bücher hört, kann auch Klänge sehen“: Bemerkungen zur Synästhesie des Hörbuchs.

    Hagen, W., 2014, Das Hörbuch: Audioliteralität und akustische Literatur. Binczek, N. & Epping-Jäger, C. (eds.). 1 ed. Wilhelm Fink Verlag, p. 179-192 15 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearch

  10. Published

    Zwischen Umwelt und milieu: Zur Begriffsgeschichte von environment in der Evolutionstheorie

    Sprenger, F., 2014, In: Forum interdisziplinäre Begriffsgeschichte. 3, 2, p. 7-19 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  11. 2013
  12. Published

    Krise oder goldenes Zeitalter? Befunde zum Status der Kritiker/innen und zur Lage der Kunstkritik

    Wuggenig, U., 02.12.2013, WHAT’S NEXT?: Kunst nach der Krise. Ein Reader. Hedinger, J. M. & Meyer, T. (eds.). Berlin: Kulturverlag Kadmos , p. 610-615 6 p. 172

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesEducation

  13. Published

    Mockular

    Kaldrack, I. & Schmitt, T., 18.11.2013, Das Medium meiner Träume: Hartmut Winkler zum 60. Geburtstag. Adelmann, R. & Bergermann, U. (eds.). Berlin: Verbrecher Verlag, p. 283-303 21 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review

  14. Published

    Strangely Familiar: The Uncanny and Unsiting Organizational Analysis

    Beyes, T. & Steyaert, C., 10.2013, In: Organization Studies. 34, 10, p. 1445-1465 21 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  15. Published

    Britain and Germany Imagining the Future of Europe: National Identity, Mass Media and the Public Sphere

    Novy, L., 12.09.2013, London: Palgrave Macmillan. 304 p.

    Research output: Books and anthologiesBook

  16. Published

    From the open road to the high seas? Piracy, damnation and resistance in academic consumption of publishing

    Beverungen, A., Böhm, S. & Land, C., 09.2013, In: Prometheus: Critical Studies in Innovation. 31, 3, p. 241-247 7 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  17. Published

    The communism of capital?

    Beverungen, A., Murtola, A.-M. & Schwartz, G., 25.08.2013, In: Ephemera: Theory & Politics in Organization. 13, 3, p. 483-495 13 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

  18. Published

    Critical Reflections on "Democracy in Crisis': BETWEEN ACTIVISM AND ACADEMIA

    Brunner, C., Burcar, L. & Freudenschuß, M., 01.06.2013, In: International Feminist Journal of Politics. 15, 2, p. 267-276 10 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsComments / Debate / ReportsResearch

  19. Accepted/In press

    Kulturfreie Bilder: Erfindungen der Voraussetzungslosigkeit

    Pias, C. (Editor), 29.05.2013, (Accepted/In press) 1 ed. Berlin: Kulturverlag Kadmos . 215 p. (Copyrights; no. 19)

    Research output: Books and anthologiesCollected editions and anthologiesResearch

  20. Published

    Citizen Action in the Time of the Network

    Shah, N., 05.2013, In: Development and Change. 44, 3, p. 665-681 17 p.

    Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

  21. Published

    Open Access und Open Educational Resources: Gemeinsames Handeln für die Öffnung von Wissen

    Heise, C., 03.04.2013, Lernen in der digitalen Gesellschaft – offen, vernetzt, integrativ: Abschlussbericht. Ludwig, L., Narr, K., Frank, S. & Staemmler, D. (eds.). 1 ed. Berlin: Internet & Gesellschaft Collaboratory , p. 114-117 4 p.

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesTransfer

  22. Published

    As You Like It: Critique in the Era of an Affirmative Discourse

    Bunz, M., 04.2013, Unlike Us Reader: Social Media Monopolies and Their Alternatives. Lovink, G. & Rasch, M. (eds.). Amsterdam: Institute of Network Cultures, Vol. 8. p. 137-145 (Inc Reader).

    Research output: Contributions to collected editions/worksContributions to collected editions/anthologiesResearchpeer-review