Here comes AlLiS! New research project to promote digital skills among young people

In our digitalised world, data-based and intelligent technologies are omnipresent. It is becoming increasingly important, especially for young people, to understand how algorithms work and their effects and to recognise trustworthy sources of information in the flood of digital content. This applies in particular to current topics such as climate and environmental protection, migration or health policy, where scientific findings clash with social debates. This is precisely where the new "AlLiS" research project comes in – with the aim of promoting digital skills among young people in extracurricular educational settings. In two subprojects, the researchers involved want to work with media education professionals and young people to develop interventions that will strengthen their understanding of algorithms and their role in online environments as well as their ability to competently evaluate digital sources.

In the interdisciplinary cooperation between empirical educational research and communication science, the subproject "Algorithms Literacy" (headed by Professor Leyla Dogruel and Professor Sven Jöckel) focuses on understanding algorithms and critically reflecting on their influences. The subproject "Sourcing Literacy" (headed by Dr Eva Thomm and Professor Johannes Bauer) focusses on promoting the ability to evaluate digital information sources and specifically assess the reliability of information. The subprojects are closely interlinked thematically and systematically combine key skills in dealing with a digitalised world.