Sofie Schönborn

Sofie has been a doctoral candidate and research associate at the Chair of Public Policy, Governance and Innovative Technology since July 2022. She holds an MPhil in Technology Policy from the University of Cambridge. Previously, she completed a double degree in Economics and Political Science (B.Sc. Economics and Business / B.A.) at Goethe University Frankfurt.

She gained professional experience in the technology sector, particularly in the cloud industry and in consulting on cyber risks and information security. Sofie is deeply committed to internet policy and advocates for young people’s voices in international discussions, including at the 16th UN Internet Governance Forum.

In the past, she has contributed to several initiatives that empower and engage young people in technology policy and public discourse, including Europe’s Digital Future, the Good Data Initiative, and the Microsoft Campus Community.

At the Chair, Sofie leads the Metaverse Research Group as well as the Global Technology Policy Practice project. In her teaching, she focuses on the governance of emerging technologies, particularly cloud technologies and “the metaverse.”

Related News

Recap

A Human Touch of Immersive Technologies

Immersive technologies, rapidly evolving in today's tech landscape, are reshaping various aspects of human life, from entertainment to healthcare and education. The "Thursday Mixer - Practical Application of Immersive Realities," held on February 1st, 2024, provided a platform for showcasing immersive applications by Brainjo, Stelldirvor, and XRHubBavaria, highlighting their potential impact across different sectors.

07. Mar 2024

Related Outputs

  • Commentary

    CTRL+ALT+Europe? – Reflections from the TUM Think Tank community

    Europeans want European tech. But do they trust Europe to deliver it? Five researchers from the TUM Think Tank community reflect on the new ETRS policy brief CTRL+ALT+Europe?.

    06. Nov 2026
  • Written Outputs

    Governing Virtual Wonderland

    Power, Rules, and Rebellion in the Metaverse

    15. Jul 2026

  • Digital Sovereignty Talks

    The "Food4Thought" series is our contribution to elevating the discourse on digital sovereignty and its associated challenges. This collection of texts is designed to provoke thought, encourage dialogue among decision-makers, and support informed decision-making in an increasingly complex digital world. Our aim is to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas, thereby creating a guide for shaping a sovereign and collaborative digital future.

    28. Nov 2025
  • Policy Brief

    Inverting the Brussels Effect: What the EU Can Learn from Latin America in Digital Governance

    This policy brief offers insights into what the EU can learn from its counterparts in LAC. Authored by the HEMISPHERES project members – a three year collaboration funded under the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet 2024 Networks Program, which aims to foster cooperation between European and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) academic and research centers, policymakers, private sector and civil society.

    15. Sep 2025
  • Written Outputs

    Smart Cities and Urban Digital Twins

    The Immersive Realities Working Group investigates the societal impact of immersive technologies, aiming to develop open and human-centric approaches. The Connected Urban Twins project focuses on smart cities, utilizing 3D models, VR, and AR to enhance efficiency and citizen engagement. Meanwhile, "Mirror Worlds, Shadowlands, and Urban Doppelgängers" explores augmented reality's potential in cultural exchange and urban art integration, fostering understanding through virtual experiences.

    18. Aug 2023

Related Events

Roundtable

Digital Sovereignty Talks at Hisolutions

The next session of the Digital Sovereignty Talks will take place at Hisolutions in Berlin. The focus will be on current challenges and perspectives: from Germany's cyber security strategy and cyber defense in the BMVg to the sovereign development and use of artificial intelligence.

Berlin
20. May 2025