The rapid diffusion of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education has reshaped academic practices, yet its implications for transparency, authorship, and academic performance remain insufficiently understood. This study analyzes 4,489 student projects submitted between 2022 and 2025 to investigate the relationship between self-reported AI use, linguistic characteristics of student writing, and academic achievement. Using mixed-effects regression models and a comprehensive institutional dataset, we assess to what extent declared AI use, overall academic achievement, demographic variables, and text readability metrics predict project grades. The findings show that declared AI use is not systematically associated with higher or lower marks once contextual factors are controlled for, while overall performance, attempt number, linguistic complexity, and submission length emerge as robust predictors. The results highlight the importance of nuanced, evidence-based institutional policies that balance ethical AI integration with the safeguarding of academic integrity. By offering a large-scale empirical examination of declared AI usage in authentic coursework, this study contributes critical insights for universities navigating the pedagogical and regulatory challenges of AI-supported learning.
Die mediale Darstellung assistierter Suizide und deren Auswirkungen auf die Rezipierenden sind bislang nur unzureichend untersucht worden. Dieser Artikel bietet einen ersten Überblick über internationale Forschungsarbeiten zu Nachrichtenbeiträgen, Filmen, Fernsehsendungen und sozialen Medien, die sich mit diesem Thema befassen. In der Fachliteratur dominieren qualitative Inhaltsanalysen, während empirische Studien zu den Auswirkungen von Darstellungen assistierten Suizids weitgehend fehlen. Die mediale Auseinandersetzung mit der Thematik bewegt sich im Spannungsfeld zwischen individueller Selbstbestimmung, gesellschaftlicher Verantwortung und möglicher normativer Einflussnahme durch öffentliche Kommunikation. Trotz medienethischer Richtlinien wird das Thema häufig emotionalisiert und anhand individueller Fälle dargestellt, die oftmals eine Befürwortung der Suizidassistenz nahelegen. Teilweise wird dadurch vermittelt, dass ein Leben mit Leiden nicht lebenswert sei. Außerdem werden Alternativen zur Suizidassistenz – wie eine umfassende Palliativversorgung – nur selten thematisiert. Es gibt Hinweise, dass Medienberichte Nachahmungseffekte auslösen können. Aufgrund der begrenzten Anzahl an Forschungsarbeiten und methodischer Unzulänglichkeiten ist es derzeit nicht möglich, weitreichende Schlussfolgerungen zu ziehen. Insbesondere im Hinblick auf potenzielle Medienwirkungen gewinnt die gründliche Untersuchung der medialen Berichterstattung und Inszenierung von assistiertem Suizid jedoch eine erhebliche gesellschaftliche Relevanz.
Media portrayals of assisted suicide and their impact on recipients have so far received insufficient scholarly attention. This article provides an initial overview of international research on news coverage, films, television, and social media that deal with this topic. Qualitative content analyses dominate the academic literature, while empirical studies on the effects of portrayals of assisted suicide are largely absent. Media coverage of this topic navigates the tension between individual autonomy, social responsibility, and the potential normative influence of public communication. Despite media guidelines, the topic is often emotionalized and presented on the basis of individual cases, many of which implicitly advocate for assisted suicide. This sometimes conveys the message that a life with suffering is not worth living. Furthermore, alternatives to assisted suicide-such as comprehensive palliative care-are rarely discussed. There is evidence suggesting that media reports on assisted suicide can trigger imitation effects. Due to the limited number of studies and methodological shortcomings, it is currently not possible to draw far-reaching conclusions. However, particularly with regard to potential media effects, systematic research on the coverage and portrayal of assisted suicide is of critical importance.
Corporate brands are increasingly expected to take a stand on controversial issues. In a polarised and digitalised world, this can lead to online firestorms which may in turn have negative impacts on brands. In order to navigate such crises, a better understanding of the determinants of stakeholder reactions in brand activism firestorms is important. Against this backdrop, this paper examines how the Big Five personality traits influence moral emotions and behavioural intentions, specifically responses towards the corporate brand and issue advocacy. A scenario-based survey using the example of a fictitious online firestorm on Instagram was conducted (n = 178). Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analyses and bootstrapping. The findings indicate that individuals who are open, extraverted, and agreeable tend to exhibit other-praising emotions and positive responses, thereby supporting the activist corporate brand in the context of firestorms. In contrast, individuals who are neurotic tend to display other-condemning emotions and negative responses. Overall, this study makes a contribution to the existing literature on the relationship between personality traits and stakeholder behaviour. The findings illustrate the role of the Big Five personality traits in shaping responses during brand activism crises. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this has yet to be considered in the context of existing research.
