# Center for Advanced Internet Studies

> research institute in Bochum, Germany

**Wikidata**: [Q96577711](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q96577711)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/center-for-advanced-internet-studies

## Summary
The Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS) is a research institute located in Bochum, Germany, dedicated to the study of digital transformation. Operating as a non-profit organization (gemeinnützige GmbH), it functions as a dedicated engine of discovery regarding the impact of the internet and digital technologies on society. The institute provides a space for interdisciplinary investigation free from the teaching obligations typical of universities.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS)
- **Location:** Bochum, Germany (Konrad-Zuse-Straße 2a, 44801)
- **Coordinates:** 51.4501563, 7.2762724
- **Field of Work:** Digital transformation
- **Legal Form:** Gemeinnützige GmbH (Non-profit LLC)
- **Inception:** Records indicate founding dates of November 2016 and April 2021
- **Membership:** Network of Institutes for Digitalisation Research
- **Website:** https://www.cais-research.de/
- **Identifiers:** GRID: grid.512729.a | ROR: 04445fp84 | GND: 1233364731

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary focus of the Center for Advanced Internet Studies?
CAIS focuses on digital transformation, conducting research to understand how the internet and digitalization change society, culture, and the economy.

### Q: Where is the Center for Advanced Internet Studies located?
The institute is headquartered in Bochum, Germany, at Konrad-Zuse-Straße 2a, 44801.

### Q: When was the Center for Advanced Internet Studies founded?
Authority records list an inception date of November 2016, while other sources cite April 2021. It operates as a gemeinnützige GmbH (non-profit limited liability company).

### Q: How can the public access the Center for Advanced Internet Studies?
The institute maintains an active digital presence across platforms including Twitter (@CAISnrw), Mastodon, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and offers a bilingual website (German/English).

## Why It Matters
CAIS represents critical infrastructure for advancing human knowledge in the digital age. Unlike universities that balance teaching and research missions, CAIS exists purely to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation into digital transformation. This focus allows researchers to pursue long-term, high-risk inquiries into how digitalization reshapes society without the distractions of corporate timelines or semester schedules. As a member of the Network of Institutes for Digitalisation Research, it plays a vital role in addressing global challenges related to the internet, acting as a dedicated hub for understanding the profound changes brought about by digital technologies.

## Notable For
- **Exclusive Research Focus:** Dedicated entirely to research on digital transformation, distinguishing it from teaching-focused universities.
- **Digital Research Network:** A recognized member of the Network of Institutes for Digitalisation Research.
- **Multilingual Public Engagement:** Maintains a verified presence on diverse platforms including Mastodon, Bluesky, and LinkedIn, catering to both German and English audiences.
- **Non-Profit Status:** Structured as a gemeinnützige GmbH, emphasizing its commitment to public benefit over commercial interests.
- **Comprehensive Digital Identity:** Registered across major knowledge graphs (Google, Wikidata, VIAF) and mapping services (Apple Maps, OpenStreetMap).

## Body

### Identity and Mission
The Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS) is a research institute classified as a non-profit organization (gemeinnützige GmbH) in Bochum, Germany. Its primary field of work is digital transformation. As a research institute, it is distinct from scientific societies or think tanks; it is an operational entity conducting hands-on investigation rather than serving as a membership organization or focusing solely on policy influence.

### Location and Facilities
CAIS is physically located in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia.
- **Address:** Konrad-Zuse-Straße 2a, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
- **Coordinates:** Latitude 51.4501563, Longitude 7.2762724.
- **Mapping IDs:** The location is indexed in OpenStreetMap (Node ID: 13516669980), Apple Maps (ID: 13247966920415152917), and Google Maps (Customer ID: 7202060363652976702).

### History and Inception
The institute's recorded inception dates vary across authoritative sources. The German National Library (DNB) lists a date of November 2016, while Wikipedia data cites April 2021. It operates under the legal form of a gemeinnützige GmbH and is registered in the European Business Register (European Unique Identifier: DER2201.HRB16476) and North Data.

### Organizational Affiliations
CAIS is a member of the **Network of Institutes for Digitalisation Research**. This affiliation aligns it with other organizations dedicated to studying the digitalization of society. The institute maintains a verified Wikimedia username ("CAIS Bochum") for interacting with the Wikimedia community.

### Digital Presence and Media
CAIS maintains a comprehensive multilingual footprint (German and English) across the web.
- **Websites:** The main portal is `cais-research.de`, with specific English and German paths. It hosts an official blog, contact page, imprint (Impressum), privacy policy, and accessibility statement.
- **Social Media:**
    - **Twitter/X:** @CAISnrw
    - **Mastodon:** CAISnrw@mastodon.social (started March 2023)
    - **Bluesky:** cais-research.bsky.social (started January 2025)
    - **LinkedIn:** center-for-advanced-internet-studies
    - **YouTube:** caisnrw3179
    - **Instagram:** caisnrw
    - **Facebook:** CenterforAdvancedInternetStudies
    - **Xing:** cais-center-for-advanced-internet-studies

### Identification and Authority Control
The entity is cataloged in numerous library and research databases:
- **GND ID:** 1233364731 (German National Library)
- **ROR ID:** 04445fp84 (Research Organization Registry)
- **GRID ID:** grid.512729.a
- **VIAF ID:** 6243162118011802320005
- **Wikidata:** The entity is listed with sitelinks to German Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.
- **Google Knowledge Graph:** Two IDs are associated with the entity (/g/11jp19hp3h and /g/11dzw9fm08).

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://www.cais-research.de/)
4. GRID Release 2021-09-16