The Werner-von-Siemens-Fellowship annually recognizes outstanding researchers who have already achieved impressive accomplishments early in their careers and who distinguish themselves through excellence in research and teaching as well as interdisciplinary thinking. The award to CISPA-Faculty Dr. Franziska Boenisch acknowledges her exceptional scientific contributions to IT security and her commitment to developing modern technology for the benefit of society. The fellowships are part of an initiative to promote technology-oriented future research in Germany and are awarded in cooperation with leading scientific institutions. Boenisch was nominated by the Scientific Award Board of CISPA.
For Boenisch, being named a Werner-von-Siemens Fellow is a special recognition of her work on individualized privacy in machine learning. “Privacy is not an abstract concept but affects every person—and especially in a diverse society it is crucial that protection mechanisms respect and reflect that diversity,” said the CISPA researcher. „I see the fact that this particular aspect of my research is being honored as a strong signal: It shows that we are not only honoring technical progress but also putting responsible use of technology at the center.” She says the award motivates her to continue her chosen path of developing solutions that combine individual protection with practical applicability.
In addition to the prize money, the fellowship includes access to the foundation’s network. Boenisch sees great potential in that: “I look forward to meeting outstanding researchers from various disciplines through the fellowship and seeking exchange across disciplinary boundaries. For me, this is an opportunity to initiate interdisciplinary collaborations and to further advance my agenda for trustworthy and socially responsible AI.” The Werner-von-Siemens Fellowship provides Boenisch not only a platform to advance her research but also a forum for the discussion of how technology should be shaped in the future.
About the Werner-von-Siemens-Fellowship
The Werner-von-Siemens-Ring Foundation honors researchers who have already achieved impressive accomplishments early in their careers by naming them Werner-von-Siemens Fellows (formerly referred to as young scientists). In addition to a prize of €10,000 (introduced in 2023), they gain access to the Foundation’s network, where they can exchange ideas, find inspiration, and plan collaborations. The Werner-von-Siemens-Ring Foundation was established on December 13, 1916, on the occasion of the 100th birthday of Werner von Siemens, originally under the name Siemens Ring Foundation.
