Tina Krell, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society

Tina Krell is passionate about empirical methods. She applies these to online platforms. At HIIG, the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society in Berlin, the Brain City Ambassador works in the “Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Society” research group. She also coordinates the “European Platform Economy” task force at HIIG.

“Research is the systematic search for new knowledge. Above all, this takes time and an open mind,” Brain City Ambassador Tina Krell remarks, adding: “For me, an open mind is created through routine and the minimisation of stimuli and financial stress. I have that in Berlin.”

Tina Krell is a researcher at HIIG, the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society in Berlin. She intentionally chose to work in Brain City Berlin: “I did my bachelor’s degree here in Berlin, so I already had a rough idea of the research landscape in the city.” After completing her master’s degree at the London School of Economics and subsequent research stays in Istanbul, London and Geneva, the political scientist moved back to Berlin. And for one clear reason: “I am not aware of any other city where I can work with brilliant people from different disciplines to the same extent and have the necessary freedom and flexibility to do research.”

The focus of the young researcher’s work is divided into two parts: “I love methods and deductive research in statistics,” she explains. “Most of my free time I spend practising applied mathematics.” In terms of content, Tina Krell focuses on online platforms. “In our ‘Platform Alternatives’ project, we are looking at innovations in the platform business model in Europe. Our research focus here is on the question: How can Europe build a platform economy that works according to European values and at the same time is globally competitive and profitable?” 

She is particularly fascinated by the influence of platforms on the economy and on “non-platform” areas of life, for example, the healthcare industry. She also examines how various platform actors interact within an ecosystem.

And how this will continue to evolve? Tina Krell has an answer prepared for that question: “I expect that more traditional business models will become platform-like and I will watch with excitement to see which industries will turn into monopolies.” According to Tina Krell, platform thinking is now an important part of innovating one’s business model. “It is not enough to build an infrastructure ready-made for users and providers to start using.” In order for a platform to establish itself and scale, several sides have to be orchestrated and served. “There is no blueprint for success. That is complex, not only in everyday language, but also in a mathematical sense.”

Tina Krell’s tip for young researchers wanting to start their careers in Berlin: “Berlin is known for certain disciplines and branches of research. Be clear about what you expect from your career in research and consider carefully whether Berlin is suitable for it. Above all, use the opportunities offered by digital networking.” She herself has always found Berlin’s researchers to be very open. “I even developed a close friendship with a fellow researcher over chess.”