Dr. Désirée Zercher's Research on AI Team Members Honored with the Prestigious Südwestmetall Dissertation Award

Dr. Désirée Zercher is the University of Mannheim's recipient of the prestigious Südwestmetall Dissertation Award 2026. In her dissertation, Dr. Zercher investigates how AI team members are transforming collaboration within teams and what implications this has for decision quality, team performance, and team climate. The findings highlight both the potential and the risks of hybrid teams, as well as the conditions under which people benefit from AI team members. The €5,000 research prize recognizes not only scientific excellence but also the high relevance of the work for the industrial workplace and socio-political frameworks. As part of the award ceremony, the research was presented in a short film, which can be viewed here on the website.