SOUNDS

Title: Societal Observatory Using Novel Data Sources (SOUNDS)

General information:

  • Homepage
  • Start date: July 2025
  • Funding: Transformationsprogramm Forschung und Wissenstransfer Saar

Contents: The Societal Observatory Using Novel Data Sources (SOUNDS), based at Saarland University and led by Prof. Ingmar Weber and Prof. Daniela Braun, is a pioneering interdisciplinary initiative designed to harness innovative data sources to systematically study societal transformations. SOUNDS bridges computer science and social sciences to advance research methodologies that leverage unconventional data such as social media analytics, satellite imagery, and web search trends. By combining Saarland University's expertise in informatics with insights from social science research, SOUNDS aims to become a central hub for innovative, empirical studies addressing contemporary societal challenges. Ultimately, SOUNDS seeks to inform decision-making, foster public engagement, and support democratic resilience, positioning itself as both a research powerhouse and a think-and-do tank dedicated to solving real-world societal issues.

 

News

© Thorsten Mohr

Millions in state funding: analysing society and the economy with new data sources

Satellite images, social media and barcode scanners in shops offer a wealth of data that has so far been little used in the social sciences. New AI-supported methods are helping with the evaluation of this data, but they require a great deal of IT expertise and legal and ethical classification. This interdisciplinary expertise is now to be pooled in a competence centre called "Societal Observatory Using Novel Data Sources (SOUNDS)".

The state government is supporting this with 29 million euros from the Transformation Fund in order to generate not only scientific insights but also concrete economic impetus for the transformation of the Saarland economy.

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