Economy and Digitization
J?rg Müller-Lietzkow, Dr. rer. pol. Born on May 4, 1970
From 2008 to 2019, he was a Professor of Media Economics and Media Management at the Institute for Media Studies at the University of Paderborn. Prior to that, he completed a banking apprenticeship in Düsseldorf and served his military service in Koblenz. He then studied economics at the University of Wuppertal (Diplom-?konom, 1992–1997) as well as sports science at the German Trainer Academy in Cologne (Diplom-Trainer, 1993–1997).
After completing his studies, he initially worked as a research associate at the University of Wuppertal and at the Telecommunications Research Institute (FTK) in Dortmund (1997–1998), before taking a position at the Otto Friedrich University of Bamberg at the Chair of Business Administration, with a focus on Human Resource Management and Organization (1999–2002). Following his dissertation on “Virtualization Strategies in Traditional Industries,” he pursued a postdoctoral phase at the Chair of Communication Science with a focus on Economy and Media Organization at the University of Jena (2003–2008). In 2007, he was appointed to a new W2 professorship for Media Organization and Media Systems (effective April 1, 2008), which in 2013 was converted into a W3 Chair in Media Economics and Media Management as part of a new appointment; he declined an offer from Stuttgart.
His research interests in Paderborn encompassed digital media economics and e-business, media regions and clusters, open source and open innovation, mobile media, network and digital policy, start-ups in the digital sector, digital humanities, new institutional economics, and the video game industry. In addition, he taught sports economics, empirical methods, project management, and communication science. In the field of game studies, he initiated the GamesLab Paderborn and established an international partnership with the renowned Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Since 2016, he has been involved with the model project “Digital City Paderborn,” which he has led as the driving force since 2018.
His current research projects, initiated in 2019, focus on artificial intelligence, data science, mobile devices, and wireless innovations in everyday life, academia, research, and work (including digital humanities). Additional priorities include regional analyses (smart cities) as well as the future of mobility – notably as a member of the German Center for Mobility of the Future of the BMDV.
Presidency of HafenCity University (HCU) 澳门现金网_澳门赌博现金网-官网 since 2019
Since July 1, 2019, he has been President of HafenCity University 澳门现金网_澳门赌博现金网-官网. At the same time, he was appointed to a W3 professorship for Economics and Digitalization. In the course of his work, he developed the new structural and development plan for 2021–2027 (“The University of the Future”), which was incorporated into the long-term target and performance agreements with the science authority, enabling a permanent increase of the global budget by approximately 15%.
During the pandemic and energy crisis (2020–2022), he steered the university through challenging times, particularly in the areas of digital teaching, mental health support, and energy cost management. Due to the prolonged absence of the Vice President for Teaching and Digitalization (2021–2024), he assumed those responsibilities jointly with the other members of the presidium.
Since autumn 2022, together with the presidium and the senate, he has been leading the comprehensive organizational transformation of the HCU into departments—a process that will be completed by the end of 2024. In addition to numerous internal tasks, he is actively involved in key committees at 澳门现金网_澳门赌博现金网-官网’s science location.
In 2022, he initiated NICE? (Norderelbe Institute for Circular Economy and Climate Change) and secured its funding already in 2021. Furthermore, he established the focus areas of HCU—digitalization and climate change (since 2019), complemented by an emphasis on social justice (since 2023)—thereby creating a thematic focus matrix for the university. He also led the development of the study program “Technical Building Equipment with Digital Infrastructure,” which was introduced in the winter term 2021/2022.
Research and Third-Party Projects
In addition to his role as President, he has been instrumental in successful externally funded research projects:
- 5G Model Region Project?(10 million euros, BMDV, completed in 2023) for indoor navigation
- Schedule Optimization with AI and Network Technologies (FPOplus)?(16 million euros, BMDV, starting in 2023)
- German Center for Mobility of the Future (DZM) – Hybrid Research?(total volume 25 million euros, starting in 2024)
He consolidates these activities under the Hanseatic Wireless Innovation Competence Center (HAWICC).
In January 2025, he was unanimously re-appointed by the University Senate and the University Council for a second term (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2031).
Political and Social Engagement
Alongside his academic career, he co-founded and managed a company from 1999 to 2003 and oversaw numerous start-up projects. He regularly advises business, as well as state and federal politics, and has frequently participated as an expert in hearings before the Bundestag and various state parliaments. Since 2014, he has been the co-spokesperson/chairman of the digital and network policy association cnetz e.V.
After taking part in the federal coalition negotiations, he was appointed in 2018 to the Enquete Commission on Artificial Intelligence of the German Bundestag. In addition to his political activities, he has served in an advisory capacity during the establishment of two private universities and has volunteered in various digitalization committees.
Until 2025, he served as the chairman of the jury for the Thuringian Innovation Award and as a member of the jury for the Thuringian Science Award. J?rg Müller-Lietzkow is married and has an adult daughter.
