Chair in Digital Transformation and Applied Media Informatics

The Chair plays an active role in shaping the digital transformation. Our work focuses on artificial intelligence and machine learning, Data Science and distributed systems – and thus on the computational foundations of sustainable digital processes. By closely integrating algorithms, Software Development and practical application, we prepare students for technically demanding tasks in research and industry. Together with partners from industry and research, we carry out pioneering projects for a connected society.

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Mitarbeitende
18
Team members
Forschungsprojekte
9
Innovation projects
Projektpartner
10
Partnerships
Lehrveranstaltungen
12
Courses
Abschlussarbeiten
125
Theses
People, skills and shared ideas

Our team

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Roschke
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Roschke
FakultƤt Angewandte Computer- und Biowissenschaften

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Roschke studied Applied Computer Science and subsequently specialised further in the Master’s programme in Data and Web Engineering. Even whilst still a student, he engaged intensively with embedded systems, software architectures and the interaction between hardware, software and distributed systems. A particular focus was on how complex technical systems can collect, process and efficiently make data available in networked environments. As part of his PhD research in the field of multimedia information retrieval, he combined concepts from distributed systems with artificial intelligence techniques to automatically index, structure and intelligently analyse large, heterogeneous multimedia datasets. His work centred in particular on scalable processing procedures, data-driven analytical methods and the integration of traditional information systems with modern machine learning techniques.

Since 2021, he has held the Chair of Digital Transformation and Applied Media Informatics at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences. His research and teaching lie at the interface between artificial intelligence, embedded and distributed systems, and human–machine interaction, with technological approaches consistently being translated into application-oriented systems and usage scenarios. A current focus is on the collection, networking and intelligent use of multimodal data, particularly in the context of mobility, where data from sensors, vehicles and digital infrastructures is analysed using modern AI techniques. The aim is to develop robust, practical solutions for data-driven decision support and automation.

  • Member of the AI Working Group
  • Member of the Extended Senate
  • Deputy Chair of the Examination Board
  • Dean of Studies in Applied Computer Science
  • Dean of Studies for Media Informatics and Interactive Entertainment (Master’s)
M.Sc. Dominik Breck
M.Sc. Dominik Breck
FakultƤt Angewandte Computer- und Biowissenschaften
B.Sc. Isabel Heinze
B.Sc. Isabel Heinze
FakultƤt Angewandte Computer- und Biowissenschaften
Dr.-Ing. Claudia Hƶsel
Dr.-Ing. Claudia Hƶsel
FakultƤt Angewandte Computer- und Biowissenschaften
Diplom-Informatiker Robert Knauf
Diplom-Informatiker Robert Knauf
FakultƤt Angewandte Computer- und Biowissenschaften
Dr. Tam Thanh Nguyen
FakultƤt Angewandte Computer- und Biowissenschaften
Projektassistentin Isabel Päßler
Projektassistentin Isabel Päßler
FakultƤt Angewandte Computer- und Biowissenschaften
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Benny Platte
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Benny Platte
FakultƤt Angewandte Computer- und Biowissenschaften
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Heiko Polster
FakultƤt Angewandte Computer- und Biowissenschaften
Dr.-Ing. Rico Thomanek
Dr.-Ing. Rico Thomanek
FakultƤt Angewandte Computer- und Biowissenschaften

Former employees

  • Max Schlosser, M.Sc.
Sebastian Glaß
Ankommen-BefƤhigen-Vernetzen / Team HSMWmobil
IF22wI1-B
Lilli Heeren
Tutor
MB26w1-B
 Andreas Herti
Andreas Herti
Ileas Projekt
MI24w2-B
Nicolas Kunze
Ileas Projekt
MI24w2-B
B.Sc. Laura Leske
Saxony5 Projekt
B.A. Anja Rindermann
Ileas Projekt
MI25w1-M
B.Sc. Nina Sarodnick
Team HSMW Mobil
MI25w1-M
Finn Thiele
Team HSMW Mobil
MI24w2-B
Imparting knowledge, developing skills

Learning & Teaching

We combine scientific principles with the latest developments and practical application scenarios. Students should not only be able to use digital technologies, but also understand how they work, critically assess their potential and apply them independently to solve real-world problems. In doing so, specialist knowledge is always linked with methodological, social and communication skills.

The focus is on application-oriented and project-based teaching. Theoretical concepts from computer science, media informatics and digital transformation are tested and further developed through practical tasks. Students learn to analyse complex issues, select appropriate methods and design viable technical solutions. Interdisciplinary collaboration and exchange with partners from academia and industry create a direct link to professional and societal practice.

I view teaching as a collaborative and open learning process. Curiosity, creativity, independent thinking and the courage to experiment form the basis for discovering new solutions. My aim is to empower students to help shape the digital transformation in a technically sound, responsible and active manner.

— Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Roschke

Advanced Mobile Application Development

This course covers the design and development of cross-platform mobile applications. It focuses on modern architectural patterns, device functionality, security, performance and production-ready deployment.

Applied Computer Science in Practice

Computer science methods are applied in practice using real-world tasks from research projects. Students develop a working prototype based on specific requirements and document the entire development process.

Digitisation of specific teaching content

Subject content is translated into digital teaching and learning resources in a pedagogically sound manner. Students select appropriate media and interactive formats, implement them technically and evaluate their effectiveness.

Introduction to Computer Science I

This course provides an introduction to the formal foundations and ways of thinking in computer science. It covers number systems, data representation, logic, algorithmic thinking and basic programming constructs, as well as the core skills required for project work.

Introduction to Computer Science II

Building on the fundamentals of computer science, data structures, algorithms and structured programming are explored in greater depth through project-based learning. Students learn to select appropriate solutions and evaluate their efficiency.

Subject-Specific and Methodological Competence II

This course teaches essential basic computer science skills. These include, amongst other things, the representation and encoding of data, as well as the formal description of situations using the tools of logic.

Interdisciplinary Knowledge Acquisition and Dissemination I

Students draw on knowledge from products developed across various disciplines and present this in a structured manner. Particular emphasis is placed on the clear visualisation and communication of complex concepts in a way that is tailored to the target audience.

The internationalisation of digital teaching materials

Digital teaching materials are adapted linguistically, culturally and technically for international audiences. The focus is on localisation, intercultural media design, accessibility and distribution via digital platforms.

Cryptographic protocols and security systems

This course covers cryptographic methods and their application in modern security systems. Students analyse protocols, assess potential attack vectors and select appropriate protection mechanisms to meet specific requirements.

Human–machine interaction

The course focuses on the user-centred design of interactive systems. Students develop prototype user interfaces and evaluate their usability using appropriate empirical methods.

Parallel and Distributed Computing

This course covers the fundamentals of parallel and distributed systems. Topics include parallelisation models, synchronisation, distributed communication, fault tolerance and the quantitative assessment of performance and scalability.

Project Module: Applied Computer Science

Working in two teams, the students undertake an extensive software project, from requirements analysis through to acceptance testing. The aim is to develop and attack a secure system in a competitive setting.

Brief profile

Using AI tools in teaching and learning settings and demonstrating their impact.

Key question

How can the use of AI in teaching and learning scenarios be structured in such a way that its impact becomes measurable?

Example topics 

  • Test environments for AI-supported teaching and learning tools 
  • Automated feedback generation 
  • Localisation of digital teaching materials

Methods

Prototyping, empirical evaluation, usage analysis

Brief profile

Making distributed information resources usable for specific decision-making situations.

Key question

How can heterogeneous data sets be transformed into reliable answers to real-world questions?

Example topics 

  • RAG architectures applied to local authority datasets
  • Assessment of answer quality and source fidelity 
  • Governance requirements in local government applications

Methods

Retrieval pipelines, evaluation designs for generative systems, requirements analysis

Brief profile

Deriving reliable conclusions from movement and behavioural data and identifying the limitations.

Key question

What can be reliably deduced from telemetry data, and at what point is this no longer possible?

Example topics 

  • Driver and user identification from telemetry
  • Anomaly and integrity checks
  • Data pipelines for mobility data

Methods

Classification and clustering, feature engineering, validation

Brief profile

Automated checking and safeguarding of the quality of digitised document collections.

Key question

Which verification steps can be automated, and where does the decision-making remain with humans?

Example topics 

  • Error detection in scanning processes
  • Classification and structural recognition of specialist documents
  • Human-in-the-loop concepts for verification decisions

Methods

Image and document analysis, classification, error cost analysis

Brief profile

Designing applications that are easy to use whilst offering robust protection.

Key question

How can usability and protection requirements be reconciled, rather than pitted against one another?

Example topics 

  • Interaction concepts for AI assistance systems
  • Usability of security mechanisms
  • Secure architectures for mobile applications

Methods

Usability engineering, empirical evaluation, threat and log analysis

Brief profile

Your own topic proposals, which extend beyond the degree, as a basis for a Master’s or PhD.

Key question

How can a final-year dissertation become the first building block of further qualification?

Example topics 

  • Preliminary work for a Master’s project
  • Preliminary study for a doctoral project
  • Partial results suitable for publication
  • Topics from your own professional background

Methods

Topic definition and synopsis, analysis of the current state of research, preparation for publication

Bringing perspectives together, shaping innovation

Network-based research

We focus on current issues relating to digital transformation and applied media informatics. Our work centres on linking scientific findings with specific technical and societal challenges. New methods and technologies are therefore tested in real-world application scenarios and further developed into robust solutions. Thematic areas range from artificial intelligence and intelligent data processing, through interactive media and human–machine interaction, to networked, embedded and mobile systems. Particular attention is paid to the question of how large and heterogeneous datasets can be accessed, linked together and used responsibly. 

These key areas are also reflected in our specific research projects. In the Mobility for Saxony project, we are developing AI-supported methods and data pipelines for the collection, linking and analysis of multimodal mobility data. Ileas focuses on the development and testing of digital and AI-supported teaching and learning tools in realistic test environments. As part of Saxony5, we are working, amongst other things, on AI-based matching algorithms that automatically correlate heterogeneous information, skills and needs. As research is a collaborative process, we adopt an interdisciplinary approach in our projects and cooperate with other universities, research institutions, companies, and public and civil society stakeholders. 

Partners in research and teaching

Bringing expertise together, broadening perspectives

Research thrives on the exchange of different perspectives and expertise. That is why we work closely with other departments. Through joint projects, teaching programmes and research initiatives, we combine our specialist areas of focus and develop new approaches at the intersections of computer science, digitalisation, media and other fields of application.

Mittweida University of Applied Sciences

Processes do not stop at departmental boundaries. The Chair shapes business and administrative processes end-to-end, automates them and makes them controllable on the basis of data.

Catholic University of EichstƤtt-Ingolstadt

Digital education meets language teaching: The chair combines perspectives from language teaching, digital teaching and learning scenarios, and Applied Computer Science, thereby creating scope for interdisciplinary research and innovative teaching.

Mittweida University of Applied Sciences

A pair of glasses, a gesture in the air, and the machine responds. The research group is developing immersive applications for industry, education and culture, and is testing how user-friendly they actually are.

Practice partnerships

Science in dialogue with the professional world

Close collaboration with businesses, public institutions and other partners in the field is a key part of our work. Together, we translate scientific findings into concrete practical applications, develop new approaches and address current issues arising from the field. This generates impetus for research projects, courses, dissertations and long-term collaborations.

Datenintegration für KI-gestützte Fertigungs- und ERP-Analysen bei Schilderwerk Beutha

  • Term: 2026/09/01 – 2027/08/31
  • Financed by: Schilderwerk Beutha GmbH
  • Project managers: Matthias Baumgart
2939 Matthias Baumgart

Industrial Data Layer für KI-basierte Prozessanalysen

  • Term: 2026/09/01 – 2027/08/31
  • Financed by: Nickelhütte Aue GmbH
  • Project managers: Christian Roschke
2941 Christian Roschke

KI@EINS Projekte

  • Term: 2026/09/01 – 2027/02/28
  • Financed by: eins energie in sachsen GmbH & Co. KG
  • Project managers: Matthias Baumgart
2937 Matthias Baumgart

Plattformübergreifende Mitarbeiterapp für den SAXONIA-Verbund

  • Term: 2026/09/01 – 2027/08/31
  • Financed by: Saxonia Holding GmbH
  • Project managers: Matthias Baumgart
2938 Matthias Baumgart

TransferLotse Mittelsachsen – Entwicklung eines digitalen Assistenzsystems zur intelligenten Vernetzung von regionaler Wirtschaft und Wissenschaft

  • Term: 2026/09/01 – 2027/07/31
  • Financed by: Landratsamt Mittelsachsen
  • Project managers: Christian Roschke
2942 Christian Roschke
M. Baumgart, I. Streit, C. Roschke, A. Schneider

Teaching Sustainability through Gamification: An Empirical Study with Student Perspectives in Vocational Education

Appeared in: Economic Sciences 21 (2026), P. 242 – 255
21629 konferenzpaper
I. Streit, T. Friederici, E. Herrmann, D. Breck, M. Schlosser, R. Knauf, M. Baumgart, C. Roschke

Development and Evaluation of a Feature for a University Application to Increase Motivation and Reduce the Dropout rate of Students in Higher Education

Presented on: Ireland International Conference on Education (IICE-2025), 2025
21320 konferenzpaper
J. Welk, C. Roschke, D. Breck, M. Schlosser, M. Ritter

Evaluating a Gamified Learning App: Usability, User Experience and Learning in Higher Education

Presented on: 9th International Conference on Teaching, Learning and Education, 2025
21322 konferenzpaper
M. Baumgart, M. Ritter, C. Roschke, M. Vodel, R. Manthey, R. Vogel, C. Hƶsel

Evaluation Research Proposals on Metadata Using Machine Learning Methods

Presented on: 8th International Conference on Software and System Engineering (ICoSSE) 2025, 2025
21319 konferenzpaper
J. Welk, C. Roschke, D. Breck, M. Schlosser, M. Ritter

Evaluierung einer gamifizierten Lern-App: Usability, User Experience und Lerneffekt in der Hochschulbildung

Presented on: DELFI 2025, 2025
21323 konferenzpaper
What's new?

News & Insights

Developing new ideas together

Thank you very much for your interest in our work and in the topics we explore in our research and teaching. It is particularly exciting when different perspectives come together, new ideas emerge and academic questions give rise to concrete solutions.

If you are interested in our research, have an idea for a joint project, or would like to discuss current issues relating to digital transformation and media informatics, please do get in touch.

It is not enough to know; one must also apply what one knows. It is not enough to want; one must also act.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Wilhelm Meister’s Journeyman Years)

We look forward to new perspectives, ideas and encounters.

Visiting address

Chair of Digital Transformation and Applied Media Informatics
Albert-Schweitzer-Straße 22
, 2nd floor, on the left (rooms 20-210 to 20-215)
3rd floor, right-hand side (20-301 to 20-307)
09648 Mittweida