Dr. Stefanie Kunkel
Researcher at the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) Helmholtz Centre Potsdam
My name is Stefanie and I am an economist, sustainability scientist and sociologist of technology. I conduct research at the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) Potsdam on the question of how digitalisation in industry (also called industry 4.0) affects the environmental sustainability of companies, sectors and economic systems. I use social science methods such as interviews, document analyses and statistical procedures. In particular, I investigate how the negative consequences of digitalisation for sustainability in the economy can be mitigated and how the positive dynamics of digitalisation for sustainability can be strengthened. I am also concerned with questions of trade-offs between the socio-economic and ecological effects of digitalisation, such as the connection between economic growth and the increasing demand for raw materials due to digitalisation. In my research, I emphasise the importance of considering the perspectives of stakeholders from industry, science, politics and civil society and strengthening their cooperation for greater sustainability.
The right kind of tech solutionism for the Global South?!
Digitalisation entails many risks - especially in the Global South, where a large proportion of the required resources are extracted or, more recently, “clickworkers” have been doing the “dirty work” of clearing the internet of problematic content. At the same time, it is difficult to imagine a less digitalised future as digital technologies are already so deeply integrated into society and are considered as a beacon of hope for participation, economic prosperity and a "better future". In this talk, I would like to engage with the audience to examine and question the positive images of digitalisation in the global South (and North) and discuss ways in which digitalisation can contribute to more sustainable economies and societies.