<nettime> google's berlin institute of internet & society

[Geert Lovink <geert@xs4all.nl>]

(just for the record and those interested, here some info of the  
rudimentary website of google's research institute for internet and  
society, in the process of being established in berlin. /geert)

http://www.internetundgesellschaft.de/

The following mission statement has been developed by the  
multistakeholder team that boostraps the research institute. The  
mission statement is meant to serve as a totem for the community  
behind the institute; it is therefore a living document that will  
develop over time.

Mission Statement    (Version 1.0)

The Internet and society research institute (*the name is not decided  
yet*) centers on research and deliberation on the culture and practice  
of (1) Internet based innovation, (2) Internet policy, and (3) related  
legal aspects. We strive to provide insights enabling all stakeholders  
to better shape the transformations the Internet stimulates within our  
networked societies in Germany, Europe and internationally.

Specifically, the institute:
	â focuses on transdisciplinary research and collaboration between  
academics, policy makers, civil society and private sector.

	â promotes a humanistic conception of the Internet and a user  
centered approach to Internet policy making and innovation, multi- 
stakeholder governance in digital ecosystems, their relationship with  
society, and their constitutional implications.

	â supports the continued development of a free and open Internet  
and its potential to increase welfare, democratic capacity, sciences  
and the arts. Hence we aim to better understand the qualities,  
dynamics, and implications of the Internet with regard to society and  
governance at large.

Âfree space = in that there are little restrictions on content and  
behavior and contribution is broadly permitted

Âopen space = based on a philosophy of openess, i.e. open standards  
that ensure interoperability and open innovation

--
  â
FAQs

Q: Which institutions and who are you working with to set up the  
institute?
A: We are currently in the process of identifying the best academic  
partners. We hope to announce the concrete plans including the  
academic institutions and the team of leading academics within the  
next months after we have reached a final agreement.

Q: When will the Institute start its operations?
A: The plan is to inaugurate the institute later in the year.

Q: Why are you funding such a research institute?
A: Web-based innovations cause a variety of social, economic and  
political transformations. These demand interdisciplinary research  
carried out in a specialized center of excellence. While Germany is  
already the home to many world class researchers the Internet and  
society institute will give the community a space to exchange and  
learn from each other and to tap into the insights of other  
stakeholders from civil society, business and politics.
Additionally, we want to further our investments in Germany and we  
believe that such an independent research institute will improve  
understanding and discussion about Internet governance and Internet  
based innovation.

Q: What are the research subjects of the institute?
The Internet & Society Institute centers on research and deliberation  
on the culture and practice of (1) Internet based innovation, (2)  
Internet policy and (3) legal aspects.

Q: Will the Institute focus on research about/for Germany?
A: The institute will strive to provide insights enabling all  
stakeholders to better steer the transformations the Internet  
stimulates within our networked societies in Germany, Europe and  
internationally.

Q: Where will the institute be based, will it be with the Humboldt?
A: We are currently finding the best organisational set-up for the  
institute. Humboldt University is one of the potential partners and  
possible hosts for the institute.

Q: Who will be heading the institute?
A: We believe the institute should be led by a board made up of  
thought leaders from academia, the Internet community, politics and  
web entrepreneurs.

Q: Will the name be the Google Institute?
We believe that the institute should be independent and pursue an  
academic mission that is in the public interest.

Q: Is this the first time you are installing such an institute or is  
there a role model from Google in other countries?
A: Yes, this is the first time we are founding a research institute  
for Internet and society.

Q: How many professors/staff will be working there?
A: It is too early to talk about details. The idea is to work with a  
core faculty that organizes and supervises research through Calls for  
Proposals, with PhD-students as well as national and international  
partner institutions.

Q: Will the institute be open for other companies/institutions as  
well? Can others support with additional funding?
A: We are actively looking to work with partners from academia, civil  
society and the private sector. We are certain this will be an  
important step to broaden the scope, relevance and impact of the  
institute. 

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