MARSS
Funding
Funded via a grant of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space. April 2026 - March 2029, Budget: 2,2 Mio EUR (396 492 EUR acquired for own institution)
Project Overview
The MARSS project aims to enrich everyday school life through a digital solution that reliably and transparently detects disinformation and socio-emotional manipulation, provides young people with a sense of security, and strengthens their capacity for critical reflection. First, an AI-based tool will be developed to analyze multimodal media content and provide users with comprehensible feedback. Subsequently, this system will be integrated into a school-based learning platform that offers teachers practical materials and application examples. In parallel, a network of schools, research institutions, and civil society organizations will be established to support the development process through co-design methods and continuous evaluation.
I am a researcher in educational technology whose work explores how digital technologies reshape learning, teaching, and educational institutions. My research combines educational technology, learning sciences, feedback research, and critical perspectives on digital transformation.Current areas of interest include peer feedback and feedback literacy, open and networked learning, AI and misinformation in education, digital learning ecologies, and the societal implications of data-driven and platform-based education. Methodologically, my work spans empirical learning research, psychometric scale development, design-oriented research, and conceptual analyses of digital transformation in education.
I am working as a full professor of educational technology and Chief Information/Chief Digital Officer (CIO/CDO) at the Heidelberg University of Education. I serve as associate editor of the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education and editorial board member of the Journal of Computing in Higher Education. I am a senior-fellow of the Interuniversity Center for Educational Sciences (ICO) and the Dutch research school on information and knowledge systems (SIKS). I work as director of the study program E-Learning and Media Education and director of the Heidelberg Centre for Digital Transformation in Education. Over the years I could secure approx. 4 Mio EUR of research funding for my institutions from competitive projects with a total budget of 36 Mio EUR. I have been an invited keynote speaker on more than 60 conferences and events. Besides European projects I am regularly involved in educational innovation and consulting projects with partners inside and outside of my institutions including clients like the International Labour Organisation, United Nations Environment Program, the European Commission, UNESCO, OECD or other international and national organizations.