Dr. Mirko Schaefer

Associate Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Mirko Schaefer. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Mirko Schaefer is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University, specializing in the socio-political impact of big data and artificial intelligence. He co-founded Data School, where he investigates AI data practices in government organizations, and develops processes for responsible use and public accountability. Schaefer has an extensive track record in creating collaborative research projects with extra-university partners, aiming at effective mutual knowledge transfer and societal impact. His notable publications include the book 'Bastard Culture! User Participation Transforms Cultural Production' and the edited volume 'Datafied Society: Studying Culture through Data.' Schaefer's work has received recognition, with publications listed as bestsellers in computer science sections. He has held various academic positions, including a research fellowship at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and a Mercator Research Fellowship at the NRW School of Governance, University of Duisburg-Essen. Currently, he is appointed as a Visiting Professor at the Helsinki Institute for Social Sciences & Humanities at the University of Helsinki from 2022 to 2025.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

2014-01-01 — Present

Utrecht University • Utrecht, Netherlands

Specializes in the socio-political impact of big data and artificial intelligence.

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

2014-01-01 — 2016-01-01

Centre Humanities Utrecht University • Utrecht, Netherlands

Conducted research on culture and data.

Visiting Professor

2022-01-01 — 2025-01-01

Helsinki Institute Social Sciences & Humanities, University of Helsinki • Helsinki, Finland

Teaching and researching social sciences from 2022 to 2025.

Mercator Research Fellow

2016-01-01 — 2018-01-01

NRW School of Governance • University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Worked on governance and research collaboration.

Requirements for Utrecht University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:93
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field Advanced knowledge of research methods and statistics
Application Checklist
  • Transcript of records
  • Motivation letter
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Proof of English proficiency
Specialization Notes

Department of Psychology