Making e-participation work for transformations: Exploring fields, drivers and impacts (eParT)

• Subject Area: Social Sciences ; Electrical Engineering and Information Technology ; Computer Science ; Medicine
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 549092557

In view of both increasing social challenges and rapid progress in digital forms and applications, the importance of e-participation has seen considerable growth in recent years. However, there still exist significant challenges and research gaps in the field of e-participation, which can be explained in part by the differing conclusions emerging from unconnected disciplinary perspectives, and a resulting confusion with respect to terms, concepts, and methods. Furthermore, there are still vast inequalities in terms of access to and the use of digital technologies, and it is not fully understood or agreed upon which factors determine long-term and effective e-participation. The research impulse eParT is the first to take an inter- and transdisciplinary research perspective in answering the question of how e-participation might be designed in order to successfully implement transformation processes in the interconnected fields of health, energy, mobility, and education. Guided by the core principles of transdisciplinarity, citizen science and applied research, eParT is located in three overarching thematic areas with their resulting intersections: (1) Drivers and Approaches, (2) Technologies and Services, and (3) Capacity and Transfer. Four research fields derive from these thematic areas, each of which pursues a common overarching research agenda. Field 1 aims to advance theoretical and practical knowledge on e-participation in transformation processes by integrating perspectives from political science, computer science, and engineering. Field 2 promotes human-centered design with the goal of increasing e-participation in the development of transformative technologies. Field 3 aims to investigate the media-pragmatic, motivational, and behavioral foundations and drivers necessary for successful e-participation. In Field 4, the focus is to develop and evaluate strategies, methods, and features for the participatory-based collection, analysis, and use of socio-spatial data. Each field follows a common chronological structure of phases that are run through in iterations: Analysis and systematization of the state of research (Phase 1), Development, testing, and evaluation of new approaches, instruments, and methods (Phase 2); and Consolidation, joint reflections, and subsequent transfer of findings (Phase 3). To support collaboration within and across fields all project activities are coordinated and supported by an umbrella structure responsible for coordination, project management, and networking. The research findings from the four thematic fields are to be progressively consolidated and communicated to citizens and stakeholders by a "Participation Hub". Alongside the publication of research findings, the hub includes an online platform with digital tools for e-participation, experiences and recommendations, training courses, offerings for academic teaching, and stimulates further research.

• DFG Programme: Research Impulses
• Applicant Institution: Hochschule Fulda - University of Applied Sciences
• Participating Institution: Universität Potsdam
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Benjamin Ewert
• Participating Researchers: Professorin Dr. Birgit Bomsdorf; Professor Dr. Kevin Dadaczynski; Professorin Dr. Christine Domke; Professor Dr. Markus Eckl; Professor Dr.-Ing. Martin Kumm; Professor Dr.-Ing. Ulf Schwalbe; Professor Dr. Thomas Wiemann