Thesis topics

The dilemma of unpaid care work is one of the creeping crises of modern societies. Care work refers not only to private care work around children, but also the care of relatives, other family and non-family support and domestic care. Care work is an essential prerequisite for the functioning of a society, but for a long time it was considered "private work" that was mainly performed by women for free. Women's movements were quick to criticize this. However, it was only with the changes in the labor market, the gender order and demographics that the problem became more public. While women (and men) are now ideally expected to work more and more full-time, the question of how to reconcile this with the care work that still needs to be done seems unanswered and yet urgent. There are already more than four million people in need of care in Germany - and with a view to demographic change, this trend is on the rise. The (often underpaid) outsourcing of care work is also an inadequate and socially controversial solution.

Theses in this field could address the question:

(1) How has the "care crisis" been addressed and portrayed in the media over the past decades? What terms have been used? How is attention distributed? Which aspects come to the fore over time?

(2) How do relevant stakeholders (foundations, associations or politicians) address the "care crisis" and the associated "care policy"?

If you are interested in this topic, please contact Elisabeth Wagner-Olfermann.

Transport-related greenhouse gas emissions continue to represent a key global challenge for achieving climate targets. Despite technological advances, the transport sector continues to make a significant contribution to overall emissions. In Germany, the use of private cars continues to increase - meaning that behavioral changes, alongside technological and infrastructural measures, are a crucial part of the mobility transition.

A well-informed and committed public is essential for this change. Understanding the risks, opportunities and solutions associated with mobility is an important prerequisite for promoting social acceptance and participation.

Theses in this subject area can deal with the following questions, for example:

• How do people perceive the risks and challenges of their individual and societal mobility behavior?

• How do citizens find out about the mobility transition - and what barriers exist?

• How is the mobility transition reported on in the media and how is this reporting perceived by different target groups?

• How are individual mobility transition technologies - such as electromobility, sharing services or autonomous driving - perceived, evaluated and accepted?

• What communicative approaches can help to promote understanding and acceptance?

• Media framing and risk communication of the COVID19 pandemic (one or more countries and/or comparative)
• Risk communication strategies of the main health institutions during the COVID19 pandemic (WHO, CDC, ECDC, RKI, ...)
• Spread and perception of conspiracy theories related to the COVID19 pandemic (media, social media, experimental study)
• Impact of risk communication messages in the context of COVID19 (IDEA model, EPPM, crisis communication strategies...)
• Crisis communication of business organizations during the COVID19 pandemic (all countries possible, or transnational)
• Comparison of COVID-19 reporting (or risk communication strategies) with other panic and infectious diseases

• Analysis of selected crisis cases of NGOs, IGOs and/or GONGOs reported in the media
• Experimental testing of crisis response strategies of NGOs, IGOs and/or GONGOs
• Analysis of the social media communication of NGOs, IGOs and/or GONGOs in the context of risk and/or crisis

• How are SETI sciences such as astrobiology represented in the media (Germany, internationally)? (SETI = search for extraterrestrial life / intelligence)
• How do US and/or international media frame the SETI Institute (Mountainview) and its projects?
• How is artificial intelligence framed by the media? (all or specific applications of AI can be analyzed)
• How are companies, governments or non-profit organizations strategically influencing the public discourse on AI (owned media, traditional media, social media)?

• Qualitative or quantitative survey of the population regarding their perceptions, attitudes, concerns, acceptance, intentions, etc. in connection with autonomous driving
• Analysis of media coverage on the topic of automated passenger transportation (self-driving cars/ minibuses), e.g. with regard to risk perception
• Investigation of the risk communication of relevant actors in connection with autonomous driving