Press release
Prof Dr Ulrike Wuttke launches science podcast on data tracking and digital sovereignty
On 1 February 2026, the new science podcast "Die Wissensarchitekt*innen" was launched, initiated and produced by Prof. Dr Ulrike Wuttke, digital humanities scholar and information scientist as well as professor of library science with a focus on strategies, service development and science communication at the Department of Information Science. The podcast explores the world behind the data and what connects libraries, research and algorithms.
In this audio format, Prof. Dr. Wuttke discusses how knowledge is created, organised and used today with guests from different areas of the information, library and research landscape. The focus is not only on technical developments, but also on their social, political and ethical dimensions. The aim of the podcast is to convey a deeper understanding of the "engine room of the information society" and to put exciting personalities behind the information structure in the spotlight.
The podcast is being produced as part of the transfer professorship headed by Prof Dr Wuttke with the transfer project T.R.A.C.K.S. - Training on Analytics, Compliance, Knowledge, and Security. The content of the first season focuses on the topic of data tracking in science, in particular science tracking. This includes the often non-compliant collection and re-utilisation of data on commercial, scientific platforms. The articles analyse the effects of these practices on digital sovereignty, academic freedom and the integrity of scientific communication. In the extra-long opening episode, Ulrike Wuttke discusses "What you always wanted to know about data tracking in science" with Dr Renke Siems and Yuliya Fadeeva.
The episodes of the first season will be published monthly on the first Sunday of each month and are linked to the Digital Independence Day initiative. They are published with the support of Podcasts.homes, where you can subscribe to the podcast.
About the T.R.A.C.K.S. project
With T.R.A.C.K.S., Prof Dr Wuttke is investigating the consequences of the collection and further use of user data on commercial scientific websites that does not comply with data protection regulations. The focus is on questions of digital self-determination, academic freedom and the development of alternative information infrastructures for the common good. In cooperation with the Berlin Central and State Library, participatory and target group-specific formats are being developed to raise awareness of protective measures and sustainable data practices.
Personal details
Prof. Dr Ulrike Wuttke has been a professor at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences since 2023. She previously worked at the University of Ghent (Belgium) and the Göttingen State and Regional Library, among others. As a library and information scientist and digital humanista, she is committed to the interdisciplinary combination of research and practice and to strengthening an open, transparent and responsible information society.
Further information
[Link] to the teaser episode as a foretaste of the first season, starting 01 February 2026.
[Link] to the episode overview page of the podcast on Podcasts-Homes.
[Link] to the RSS feed
When: every first Sunday of the month
Where: Podcasts.homes
