Information Systems, in particular Data Science

The Business Informatics working group, in particular Data Science, headed by Prof Dr Burkhardt Funk, is dedicated to the development and application of data-driven methods for decision support in companies and public institutions.

Research:
The research focus lies on the use of data science and machine learning to analyse large amounts of data in order to optimise processes and decisions. A central topic is the development of intelligent systems that support decisions through data-based predictions. Fields of application include healthcare and various operational functions (e.g. marketing, accounting). We have developed approaches for predicting the effectiveness and personalisation of healthcare interventions, methods for extracting knowledge from documents (business documents, scientific papers) and for optimal budget allocation in marketing.

Teaching:
We are active in the teaching of the Information Systems major and coordinates the study programme, including the modules Introduction to Information Systems, Business Analytics, Research Methods and Data Science Projects. In the Master's degree programme in Data Science, one of the first DS degree programmes in Germany in 2015, the working group is responsible for the modules Learning from Data and Probabilistic Modelling. Another focus is the development and implementation of teaching in the Leuphana semester on Data Literacy (DL), a unique programme in Germany in which students from all disciplines learn basic skills in the field of DL.

Transfer:
We cooperate with companies and institutions to develop innovative data-driven solutions. This includes in particular the implementation of Bayesian advertising effectiveness models, LLM/RAG solutions, the development of health interventions, knowledge extraction from visual documents and sensor data-based services. Numerous successful start-ups have emerged from this work: Smartboatia, PersonalAIze, getgo.de (now CTS Eventim), Adference (now AboutYou), GFEH (now Syzygy), Reisetopia, Erason, Deutscher Pflegering, minddistrict Deutschland and HelloBetter.
We look forward to discussing your ideas [burkhardt.funk@leuphana.de]

Team

Head of the Department

  • Prof. Dr. Burkhardt Funk

Office Management

  • Diana Kästner
  • Madlen Schmaltz

Research Assistants

  • Jonas Scharfenberger, M.Sc.
  • Johannes van Deest, M.Sc.
  • Nicola Teuber, M.A.

External Phd students

Kirsten Zantvoort
Lukas Thiée

Guest Researchers

Prof. Dr. Kristina Lemmer
Dr. Felix Kortmann