Information technology is increasingly penetrating almost all spheres of life. It can make a substantial contribution to solving social challenges in everyday life. For information science, the challenge arises of linking a suitable understanding of everyday practices with designing innovative IT applications. In this connection, the Social informatics science at the University of Siegen has developed the design case study method, which is based on empirical investigations into everyday practices by human actors. On this basis, innovative, solutions-oriented IT is designed together with parties affected while investigating and including the changes in everyday practice.
The Social informatics science research methods established by Prof. Volker Wulf at the University of Siegen since 2002 have proven useful for designing IT applications for supporting cooperative work in organisations, in the aging society, for energy efficiency and in institutions engaged in protecting against danger and civil safety. Examples of this are the “landmarke” research project for supporting navigation and communication with firefighters in burning buildings. Wulf’s work has also received many international awards.

Address
Hölderlinstraße 3
57076 Siegen
Tel +49 271 740-3139
Fax +49 271 740-2590
dekanat(at)wiwi.uni-siegen.de
www.wiwi.uni-siegen.deChair
Economic computer science/New Media
Prof. Dr. Volker WulfYear of establishment
University 1972
Chair 2002Scientific discipline
Social informatics
Computer supported cooperative work
Human computer interaction