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» Published on 24. Juli 2014

Genetic study shows major impact of climate change on Antarctic fur seals

Genetic analysis of Antarctic fur seals, alongside decades of in-depth monitoring,* has provided unique insights into the effect of climate change on a population of top-predators. Published in Nature this week, the findings show that the seals have significantly altered in accordance with changes in food availability that are associated with climate conditions. Despite a shift in the population towards ‘fitter’ individuals, this fitness is not passing down through generations, leaving the population in decline.

» Published on 18. Juli 2014

Developing a Distinct “Robot Culture”

Visiting Professor for Gender Studies Selma Šabanovic held public lectures at Bielefeld University

Depending on their cultural background, people react differently to a robot’s appearance. What this is implies for robot design was the topic of a lecture given by Social Informatics researcher Selma Šabanović, Ph.D., at Bielefeld University’s Center of Excellence Cognitive Interactive Technology (CITEC) on 14 July. In her talk, Dr. Šabanović presented her approach to designing robots whose functions can be understood independently of the user’s cultural background. Šabanović was invited by the CITEC Center of Excellence and is currently a Visiting Professor for Gender Studies at Bielefeld University. In another lecture, she examined the issue of how social robots can intensify gender stereotypes depending on whether they look “female” or “male.” This lecture was held on 16 July at Bielefeld University. Both lectures were open to the public. 

» Published on 8. Juli 2014

From Risk-Taking by Banks to the Brain Drain

Meeting of the EDEEM international doctoral programme atBielefeld University / Award of first degrees

Around 30 doctoral students of the international EDEEM (“European Doctorate in Economics – Erasmus Mundus”) doctoral programme are coming together at Bielefeld University from Wednesday to Friday (9-11 July). At their Summer Meeting, the economists will be presenting the latest results of their research. The topics of the presentations range from risk-taking by banks to discrimination on the job market, and to the costs incurred by companies as a result of the brain drain, i.e. the resignation of talented employees. EDEEM is a doctoral programme in economics involving seven European universities. The programme is coordinated by Bielefeld University with Professor Dr Herbert Dawid as EDEEM coordinator.

» Published on 2. Juli 2014

Copying and morality

One party considers that the legal restrictions on copying don’t go far enough; the other party takes advantage of the available copying technologies without any sense of wrongdoing. What could be a fair balance between these two positions? From July 8–11, an international conference entitled ‘The Ethics of Copying’ will be addressing this issue at Bielefeld University’s Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF).