Girls´Day 2026: Scientist for one day
Girls´Day on April 23rd was a day full of exciting ideas and inspiring discussions. The Human-Computer-Interaction team, part of the Chair of Economic and Organisational Psychology, invited young women aged 16 to 18 to step into the role of researchers and actively help shape technology. After an introduction to the important role of psychology in human-centered technology design, the participants became actively involved themselves and explored psychological methods such as interviews and personas — always with the goal of creating user-friendly and inclusive technology. To conclude the day, Prof. Dr. Sarah Diefenbach shared insights into her role as a professor. The participants also had the opportunity to ask all their questions about science, research and university life.
CHI Conference 2026
Just got back from Barcelona attending the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems Sarah Diefenbach and her team had a great time in Spain collecting new ideas for research and meeting colleagues from all over the world.
Learn more about the team´s research and conference papers at CHI:
- The Challenge to Design for Relatedness Experiences: An Explorative Investigation of Five Relatedness Technologies from a Psychological Needs Perspective
- Responsible Use of AI – Dream or Achievable Goal? Reflections On The Gains And Losses Of AI in Everyday Life
- Supporting Effective Goal Setting with LLM-Based Chatbots
- Mind in the Machine? Cross-Disciplinary Perceptions of Consciousness in Artificial Intelligence
- Why We Need to Destroy the Illusion of Speaking to A Human: Critical Reflections On Ethics at the Front-End for LLMs
- Agents act, users don’t
Girls´Day Workshop: One day as scientist
On Girls´Day Sarah Diefenbach, Professor for Economic Psychology and Human-Computer-Interaction, and her team will offer insights into the daily research routine of a scientist. Girls aged 16 and older are invited to learn about the importance of psychology in technology assessment. In addition to insights in current research projects the participants can be active as scientists and gain first research experience.Our Team is looking forward to an exciting Girls´Day!
When: April 23rd, 2026
Where: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Faculty of Psychology
Leopoldstraße 13, 80802 Munich
Further information about this event Girls'Day-Website.
Cassandra method: anticipating the risks of new technologies
Many technologies have negative consequences as well as benefits. Indeed, these harmful aspects are often built into the business model. This is the case, for example, when users find it difficult to leave a certain social media channel instead of continuing to scroll. Or when people entrust even the most personal questions and tasks to an AI, and perhaps naively adopt its suggestions, because the app manages to imitate human behavior and users establish a bond with it. Read more
Technology: sending a little “I’m thinking of you”
Professor Sarah Diefenbach researches at the Chair of Economic and Organizational Psychology. As part of the collaborative project “Relatedness Over Distance,” she and research assistant Angelina Krupp methodologically supported and evaluated the development of prototypes designed to create a feeling of connectedness. Read more.