The first of the next generation

Dr Michael Spranger has been appointed to the Chair of Forensic Text Mining and Computational Linguistics at the Faculty of Applied Computer Sciences and Biosciences at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences with effect from 1 May. The NextGen programme provided him with targeted support over a two-year period leading up to his appointment.

NextGen stands for the next generation of professorships at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, a University of Applied Sciences (UoAS). It sets high standards for its future professors: in addition to relevant professional experience and a PhD, teaching and research experience are also among the qualifications required for an appointment. Candidates who meet all these criteria are not easy to find. In order to secure its own next generation of professors, particularly in new and forward-looking fields, whilst at the same time enabling researchers to follow an individual path to a professorship at a UoAS, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences launched the NextGen project in 2021. With the appointment of Michael Spranger, NextGen demonstrates that it is possible to achieve both.

Rector Professor Volker Tolkmitt congratulates his new colleague and shares the NextGen team’s delight: “Digital forensics is one of our university’s fields of the future, characterised by pioneering work, and for which it is not easy to find highly qualified young talent. The appointment of Michael Spranger proves that, with our first in-house staff development programme, NextGen, we are on the right track to shaping the future of teaching and research at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences with outstanding academics.”

NextGen provides individual support and development across the three areas of qualification relevant to academic appointments: ‘Research and Knowledge Transfer’, ‘Teaching and Didactics’, and ‘Professional Experience and Practical Projects’. Michael Spranger already possessed most of these qualities and was thus the first participant to make a convincing case in a tenure-track appointment process: relevant professional experience, a successfully completed collaborative PhD with TU Dresden, and teaching experience in his specialist field, digital forensics. As an applied researcher, Spranger had developed the Mobile Network Analyzer (MoNA), a software solution for investigative authorities which, at least in Germany, sets new standards in the analysis of mobile communications and enables the automated evaluation of large volumes of data from chats and text messages.

However, NextGen helped him to broaden his horizons, develop innovative teaching concepts and publish academic work. Together with the NextGen project leader, Professor Dr Ramona Kusche, he most recently conceived and edited the interdisciplinary scientific anthology *NextGen Scientific Review* (Vol. 1). Kusche has worked closely with Spranger over the past two years: “I am delighted to be able to welcome such a capable colleague into the ranks of our professors. With his open-minded approach, his drive, and his conscientious and well-founded academic methodology, he is a great asset to Mittweida University of Applied Sciences.”

Michael Spranger was one of eight NextGen team members during the qualification phase. They all share the same goal, but joined at different stages of their careers and come from different disciplinary backgrounds. This diversity is more than just a side effect; it is a core principle of NextGen: each team member brings skills to the table which they share with others through peer learning. The differences in specialist fields are also an advantage: “I found the interdisciplinary nature of the team to be enriching,” says Spranger. “Not only did it allow me to expand my academic network, but thanks to the variety of methods represented, I also discovered entirely new aspects for my research. Qualitative research approaches are one example. I explored these in greater depth for the first time at NextGen and now have ideas on how I can apply this knowledge in a study investigating usage behaviour when using a piece of software that I have developed.”

Conversely, Michael Spranger’s team-mates also benefited from his knowledge and experience.

It doesn’t end when you leave NextGen. Firstly, even as a professor, you never stop learning: “In many ways, the learning is only just beginning,” says Michael Spranger with a smile. He still regards NextGen and his team colleagues as key points of contact and intends to continue attending the regular PhD lunches, peer group sessions and workshops as a guest. “I see myself as a satellite.” Secondly, NextGen itself is continuing to evolve. Following Spranger’s departure, the vacant post will be filled in a new field focused on the university’s future.