Rules of Procedure of the Bavarian Research Institute for Digital Transformation (bidt)

(1) The bidt is a research institute. It focuses on the impact of digital technologies on the economy and society, emphasising an interdisciplinary approach and bringing together existing research activities in Bavaria. It is rooted in both computer science and the fields of economics, law and social sciences, and brings together the perspectives of these disciplines in a holistic manner.

(2) The bidt carries out research projects, engages with the public and develops policy options for shaping political and social development. Research projects are carried out both within the Institute and through collaborative projects.

The bidt comprises a Board of Directors (Section 4), an Executive Committee (Section 5), a Project Advisory Board (Section 6), an Executive Management team (Section 7), as well as an Advisory Board and a Board of Trustees (Section 8).

(1) The Board of Directors is responsible for the bidt’s strategic decision-making. This includes, in particular, defining the key areas of focus and the core messages, as well as planning and monitoring the budget and staffing. In addition, the Board of Directors decides on the appointments to the Executive Committee, the Executive Management, the Board of Trustees and the Advisory Board. Furthermore, the Board of Directors decides on matters requiring approval in accordance with Section 7(3). In addition, the members of the Board of Directors are involved in specialist work, engaging with the public and securing external funding, and represent the bidt at their own institutions.

(2) The Board of Directors has between 8 and 12 members. The members of the Board of Directors should be internationally recognised academics who also have experience in interdisciplinary research. They should be working at an institution in Bavaria. Membership of the Board of Directors is a part-time role.

(3) The Board of Directors meets at least six times a year. Decisions taken by the Board of Directors require a majority of the votes cast by the Board of Directors members present. In the event of a tie, the chairperson has the casting vote.

(4) The Board of Directors shall perform the duties of the project committee within the meaning of Article 18 of the BAdW’s Statutes. The chair and deputy chairs of the Board of Directors are appointed by the respective Section on the recommendation of the project committee (Section 13(4) of the BAdW’s Rules of Procedure). The other members of the Board of Directors are appointed by the relevant Section on the recommendation of the Project Advisory Board (Section 13(2) of the BAdW’s Rules of Procedure).

(1) In addition to their roles on the Board of Directors, the members of the Executive Committee provide significant professional support to the Executive Management and staff of the Institute in their day-to-day work. In addition, the Executive Committee draws up proposals for strategic decisions to be taken by the Board of Directors and acts as the bidt’s primary external representative.

(2) The chair of the Board of Directors is automatically also the chair of the Executive Committee. He or she is primarily responsible for representing the Institute externally, organising the work of the internal bodies and dealing with specific issues.

(3) In addition to the chair, the Executive Committee comprises up to three other members of the Board of Directors. These are the deputy chairs appointed in accordance with Section 4(4) of the project committee established by the BAdW for the bidt.

(4) Decisions in the Executive Committee require a majority of the votes cast by the members of the Board of Directors present. In the event of a tie, the chairperson has the casting vote.

(1) The Project Advisory Board shall perform the duties set out in Section 19 of the BAdW’s Statutes and Section 16 of the BAdW’s Rules of Procedure. It advises the Board of Directors on the performance of its duties and makes suggestions regarding research and development projects.

(2) The Project Advisory Board shall have up to 10 members. Members are appointed by the relevant Section on the recommendation of a Section member. The chair of the Board of Directors is a member of the Project Advisory Board in an advisory capacity.

(3) The members of the project advisory board are Academy members with the relevant expertise, as well as other external researchers. It is chaired by an Academy member.

(4) The chair of the Project Advisory Board and their deputy shall be elected by the relevant Section on the recommendation of the Project Advisory Board. (5) The Project Advisory Board meets once a year.

(1) The Executive Management team comprises a scientific director and an administrative director. The two managing directors jointly oversee the Institute’s day-to-day operations in accordance with the strategic guidelines set by the Board of Directors.

(2) Both managing directors work for the bidt on a full-time basis. They determine the allocation of responsibilities amongst themselves by means of a schedule of duties adopted by the Executive Committee. They report to the Executive Committee.

(3) The managing directors are the immediate supervisors of the Institute’s staff. They are granted power of representation by the President of the BAdW for selected transactions. Together with the Board of Directors, they draw up a list of transactions requiring approval, which they may only conclude on behalf of the BAdW once the Board of Directors has consented.

(1) The Advisory Board advises the Institute on its content-related approach. The Advisory Board comprises experts and representatives of groups that are of major importance for society. The Advisory Board may have up to 20 members. The expert academics should not be from Bavaria.

(2) The Board of Trustees supports the Institute’s networking in Bavaria. It should include representatives from universities and non-university research institutes, civil society and the political sphere. The Board of Trustees should comprise around 10 members. The President of the BAdW attends the meetings of the Board of Trustees as a guest.

(3) The Advisory Board and the Board of Trustees should meet at least once a year. The Board of Directors decides on the composition of the Board of Trustees and the Advisory Board. The meetings of the Advisory Board and the Board of Trustees are chaired by the chair of the Executive Committee.

The full-time research staff at the bidt elect a representative from among their number by secret ballot for a term of two years. Matters relating to the planning and allocation of tasks concerning the bidt’s research projects, human resources planning and the staff regulations should be discussed between the Chair of the Directorate and this representative.

(1) These Rules of Procedure were adopted by the bidt Board of Directors on 10 September 2019 and by the Project Advisory Board on 24 September 2019, and were approved by the BAdW plenary meeting on 18 October 2019. It comes into force on 18 October 2019.

(2) Resolutions to amend the Rules of Procedure require the approval of at least half of the members of the Board of Directors. They require the approval of the BAdW plenary meeting.

(3) The Munich Center for Internet Research (MCIR), which was previously established by the BAdW, will be transferred to the bidt.