Dirk Helbing

He completed his doctoral thesis at Stuttgart University, on modeling social processes by means of game-theoretical approaches, stochastic methods, and complex systems theory.

[37] As professor of Sociology at ETH Zurich, he worked on evolutionary game theory[38][39] and agent-based computer simulations of social processes and phenomena.

[51] This work resulted in the establishment of the Nervousnet Platform, a smartphone app enabling users to share data to be used to achieve scientific and social goals and lay the groundwork for digital democracy.

[65] Prof. Helbing is an adviser to the Citizen Science Center Zurich [66] and is an advocate of a European Charter of Digital Human Rights.

[85] He has conducted research into norms and conflict, and the role of success-driven motion for the establishment of cooperation among selfish individuals,[86] socio-inspired technology and techno-social systems,[87][88] the spread of disaster [89][90] and crisis management.

[94] In February 2022, during a lecture Professor Dirk Helbing presented a slide that some students from ETH Zurich considered inappropriate and insensitive to the Chinese community.

[115][116] The students raise their concerns both to Professor Helbing and the ETH Zurich Ombudsman and Respect Advice Center, the latter of which provides services related to inappropriate behaviours, discrimination, bullying or allegations at the Institute.

[118] Following an investigation and discussion with the ETH Zurich Ombudsman and Respect Advice center, Professor Dirk Helbing presented an apology statement on Twitter[119] and LinkedIn Accounts.