1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. Institute for Applied Data Science & Finance
  3. Applied Data Science
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Applied Data Science

We combine applied research with hands-on education in data science. Studying decision-making in media, markets, and organisations, we translate econometrics, experiments, and AI into skills students apply in practice.

Our research

Our research spans five interconnected areas.

  1. We study information processing and cognition in humans and machines, using methods including eye-tracking, psychophysics, neuroimaging, and machine learning.
  2. We investigate political economy, media economics, and applied data science — analysing online platforms, algorithmic and AI-driven content provision, ad personalisation, and the economic reasoning of AI agents, drawing on applied econometrics, web mining, and bot-based field experiments.
  3. We examine how organisational behaviour and innovation processes unfold in academic and research ecosystems, and how advances in AI moderate these dynamics, using field and lab experiments, quasi-experimental studies, and data mining.
  4. We also study contextual, compositional, and network effects on decision-making in education, labour markets, and political settings, applying causal inference and spatial econometric methods.
  5. Finally, we develop formal concept analysis approaches including algebraic investigations of conceptual structures.

Projects

  • Managing Knowledge Work in Organizations

    This project explores virtual teams and VR for better collaboration, innovation biases in promotions, and the roots of "good jobs."

    • Institute(s) Institute for Applied Data Science & Finance
    • Research unit(s) Applied Data Science
    • Head of project Christian Zihlmann

  • Understanding Privacy as a Multilevel Concept

    How do privacy-invasive business practices and technologies gain societal acceptance? To what extent are the associated legitimization processes reflected in the media?

    • Institute(s) Institute for Applied Data Science & Finance
    • Research unit(s) Applied Data Science
    • Head of project Patrick Dennis Cichy

  • Ideological Ad Targeting in Consumer Markets and the Political Market Place

    The main goal of this project is to examine how companies and political parties or campaigns specifically target consumers and voters online with personalized advertising based on their ideology.

    • Institute(s) Institute for Applied Data Science & Finance
    • Research unit(s) Applied Data Science
    • Head of project Ulrich Bernhard Matter

    • Publications

    Our contribution to teaching and continuing education

    We contribute to the Business’s School Bachelor's and Master's programmes, covering data science, software development, decision making, quantitative methods and business analytics. 

    Bachelor's programmes BFH Business School
    Master's programmes BFH Business School