Four New Research Projects Launched at the HCDS

17 November 2025, by Janis-Marie Paul

Photo: Janis-Marie Paul

The Hub of Computing and Data Science (HCDS) at the University of Hamburg is starting the new academic year with four innovative research projects that strengthen its role as a catalyst for data-driven science, digital transformation, and societal impact.

Spanning education, climate research, global health, and the future of higher education, these projects bring together interdisciplinary teams and international partners, supported by a range of funding programmes.

Informatics Education in Germany

How can open curriculum data help improve the quality of computer science education?
This project develops qualitative discourse analysis methods and extends the open-source research software DATS. In collaboration with the German Informatics Society (GI), the results will feed into the Informatics Monitor, providing data-driven insights to inform educational reform across Germany.

Rapid Adaptive Change (RAC)

RAC integrates biological collections with advanced data science to explore how species adapt to climate change. Using AI-assisted analysis, museomics, and ecological data, the project investigates evolutionary processes in a warming world — contributing to the digital transformation of the life sciences.

ReAction – Relationships and Academic Belonging in Higher Education

How can academic belonging be strengthened across the university?
ReAction investigates relationships in higher education — between people, disciplines, cultures, and technologies. With a focus on trust, resonance, and digital transformation, the project develops interventions that enhance engagement and belonging in teaching and learning. It is carried out in collaboration with multiple faculties and the Hamburg Center for University Teaching and Learning (HUL).

INNOVETH – Innovative Health Intervention for Ethiopian Migrant Domestic Workers

INNOVETH develops data-driven, technology-supported health interventions for Ethiopian migrant domestic workers in the Middle East. Drawing on AI, health data analytics, and mobile health tools, the project aims to strengthen mental, sexual, and reproductive health — demonstrating how data science can advance health equity in the Global South.

With these new initiatives, the HCDS expands its research portfolio in digitalization, sustainability, and societal transformation, highlighting the growing impact of data science across disciplines at the University of Hamburg.