Current job opening at ConPolicy
We are hiring a project manager starting in March 2026
ConPolicy – the Institute for Consumer Policy – is seeking a Project Manager (m/f/d) in the field of consumer research and consumer policy to join its team starting in March 2026. The position involves working on a range of research and consultancy projects.
At the beginning of the role, a key focus will be on contributing to a research project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), which aims to develop an AI-based tool to support journalists in identifying disinformation.
Further information on tasks, requirements and the application process can be found in the job advertisement.
We look forward to receiving applications and to the sharing of this job advertisement within your networks.
Executive meeting of the CDR Initiative at the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection
Digitalization requires responsibility
On January 20, member companies and selected development and thematic partners of the Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR) Initiative met with State Secretary Eva Schmierer at the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection.
Since 2018, the CDR Initiative has been working with companies to make digitalization fair, human-oriented, and value-oriented. From the outset, ConPolicy has been running the initiative's office together with its project partner concern.
The aim of the meeting was to discuss the strategic priorities of the CDR Initiative for its continued successful growth.
The main focus of the initiative's future work will be:
Strengthening digital sovereignty. Companies that practice responsible digitalization and respect European values should become more visible.
Expanding the community, member organizations, reach, and impact.
Improving the consumer experience of CDR.
The conclusion of the meeting: Responsible digitalization is and remains of great importance for effective consumer protection in the digital space and for business success.
More information on the CDR Initiative can be found here.
ConPolicy contribution to the DKK expert discussion
How can a shift in consumption contribute to climate transition?
On January 27, 2026, the German Climate Consortium (DKK) held an expert discussion with the CLICCCS Cluster of Excellence at the University of Hamburg and the Mercator Foundation. The occasion was the publication of the report ‘Klimawende Ausblick 2025‘. The report provides social science analyses of the challenges and drivers of climate transition. In this case, drivers refer to the pioneers of a successful climate transition. The report focuses on the question of how climate transition can still be implemented and shaped in times of backlash and declining resonance.
Selected drivers were examined in depth and discussed in five parallel workshops. In the workshop on the driver ‘consumption’, led by Dr. Eduardo Gonçalves Gresse, Prof. Dr. Christian Thorun, Managing Director of the ConPolicy Institute, together with Dr. Laura Spengler from the German Federal Environment Agency, commented on the report's key findings and recommendations.
Prof. Dr. Thorun emphasized that
consumption-related emissions and resource consumption are declining, but not fast enough, especially in the areas of housing and mobility;
social inequality is significantly slowing down the shift in consumption;
digitalization is currently promoting unsustainable consumption through dark patterns, addictive designs, and interface design focused on closing sales and maximizing screen time;
a simplification agenda is needed to make sustainable consumption as easy as possible and the default option; and
new narratives are needed to get people passionate about climate and environmental protection. Instead of propagating doomsday scenarios or talking about costly purchases such as electric cars or heat pumps, there should be more discussion about affordable local transport, thermal insulation that benefits tenants, and attractive city centres.
Results of the study ‘Metaverse and Extended Reality: Consumer-Oriented Design for Safe Use’ commissioned by the DIN Consumer Council published
New Scientific Findings on Challenges and Recommended Actions for Consumer Protection in the Metaverse
The Metaverse and immersive technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are becoming increasingly relevant in consumers’ everyday lives. At the same time, they entail new types of risks — for example with regard to data protection, mental health, or social participation. Against this background, ConPolicy, on behalf of the DIN Consumer Council, examined the opportunities and risks of the Metaverse from a consumer perspective and developed corresponding recommendations for action. The final report has now been published by the DIN Consumer Council and is available here.
The findings show that Metaverse users are comparatively young, well-educated, and generally have a positive attitude toward the Metaverse. At the same time, they often underestimate existing risks such as harassment, data protection issues, and particularly the potential for addiction. In addition, existing legal provisions often prove insufficient, are not tailored to the specific risk situations of the Metaverse, and are difficult to enforce due to the international structures of platform providers. Therefore, in addition to strengthening awareness-raising and media literacy among users, the study primarily recommends a clearer specification and stronger implementation of consumer protection, data protection, and youth protection through legislation and consumer-oriented standardization.
The study followed a mixed-methods approach: In addition to a comprehensive review of the literature and legal framework, focus groups were conducted with users and their relatives, and two online surveys with 200 participants each were carried out. The results were then discussed in an interdisciplinary expert workshop. On this basis, recommendations for legislation and standardization were developed with the aim of shaping the Metaverse in a more consumer-friendly way.
Further information about the project can be found here.
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