The workshops will take place on Monday, 28 September 2026, from 1:00 p.m. onwards on the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz campus. Participation is free of charge for all registered congress participants. Workshop registration will be available via the Converia congress platform from 4 May 2026.

Workshop 1: Academic Publishing in Sociology

Publisher / Institution: Nomos

Contact: Sandra Frey (sandra.frey(at)nomos.de)

Duration: 1 hour

Date and Time: 28 September 2026, 1:00–2:00 p.m.

Publishing a doctoral dissertation marks the culmination of the journey towards a doctorate for many scholars in the social sciences and humanities. But what should authors consider when publishing with an academic publisher? This workshop provides an introduction to academic publishing and offers insights into the publishing world. Participants will learn about the Nomos publishing programme, different publication formats, and the complete publication process—from the initial proposal to the publication of a book.

Following the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A session with the editorial team. Whether you are just beginning your doctorate or approaching completion, this workshop offers an excellent opportunity to get to know Nomos Publishing.

Workshop 2: AI in Qualitative Research and Teaching?! Impulses and Challenges for Methodological Foundations, Data Sovereignty, and Teaching

Presentation, demonstrations, and discussion with Dr Thorsten Dresing and Thorsten Pehl (audiotranskription.de, Marburg)

Publisher / Institution: audiotranskription

Contact: Thorsten Dresing (info(at)audiotranskription.de)

Duration: 3 hours

Date and Time: 28 September 2026, 1:00–4:00 p.m.

The use of Large Language Models in qualitative research is becoming increasingly differentiated, while rapid technological developments continue to open up new fields of application. This workshop addresses the current state of the discussion and explores the methodological challenges of using AI in a scientifically robust way. Participants will also receive ideas and practical guidance for integrating AI into teaching.

Part 1: How Researchers Use AI – and How It Changes Research Practice

An overview of current approaches, ranging from ad hoc prompting and prompt templates to specialised AI tools, together with methodological and legal challenges. The session also presents empirical findings on how AI affects research practice and discusses the implications for higher education.

Part 2: Methodological Integration – From Ad Hoc Prompting to Systematic Approaches

How can AI be integrated into established qualitative research methods, and where does it open up entirely new methodological possibilities? This session discusses current integration strategies and demonstrates two recently developed approaches: Hybrid Interpretation with Three Dialogically Integrated LLMs and Serendipity Prompting.

Part 3: Data Sovereignty and Data Protection

Using LLMs via the internet raises important questions regarding GDPR compliance. The workshop explains why anonymisation and pseudonymisation are often insufficient for qualitative interview data and presents practical solutions such as local LLM deployment and enhanced informed consent procedures.

Supporting Material:
Dresing, T. (2026). AI in Qualitative Research. Lecture Manuscript with Further Reading: https://www.audiotranskription.de/ki-einsatz-in-der-qualitativen-forschung/

Workshop 3: Content and Readability Analysis of Texts with TextQuest ©

Publisher / Institution: Social Science Consulting

Contact: Dr Harald Klein (info(at)textquest.de)

Duration: 3 hours

Date and Time: 28 September 2026, 1:00–4:00 p.m.

This workshop introduces the possibilities of text analysis using TextQuest and TextQuest/ReFo. Participation is free of charge, and participants will receive a free trial version of the software. Participants are welcome to bring their own plain text files.

The workshop focuses on computer-assisted content analysis, including vocabulary analysis, the development and optimisation of coding systems, and the handling of ambiguous or negated search terms. Example datasets include television news reports and personal advertisements.

The workshop also introduces TextQuest/ReFo, a tool for readability analysis that automatically selects suitable readability formulas based on language, text type, and target audience. Results are calculated for both complete texts and individual paragraphs, while long sentences, complex words, and specialised vocabulary can be highlighted. Data can be exported in CSV or JSON format.

Further information, including free trial versions, manuals, and presentations, is available at https://www.textquest.de.

Workshop 4: Taking Off Instead of Crash Landing – Starting Your Own Research Project with MAXQDA

Publisher / Institution: MAXQDA

Contact: Leopold Meinert (l.h.meinert(at)fgga.leidenuniv.nl)

Duration: 3 hours

Date and Time: 28 September 2026, 1:00–4:00 p.m.

As one of the leading software packages for qualitative data analysis, MAXQDA supports researchers throughout many stages of the research process. This workshop provides the essential foundations for using MAXQDA confidently and effectively. Participants will learn about coding, memos, document variables, and data analysis through interactive exercises. Interview data will be provided, although participants may also work with their own Word documents.

No previous experience with MAXQDA is required. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop (Mac or PC), ideally with MAXQDA already installed.

Workshop 5: Visible, Connected, and Informed with SocioHub – The Collaboration Platform for Sociologists

Workshop with Maike Lang (University and City Library Cologne) and Dr Viola Logemann (Qualiservice Research Data Centre)

Publisher / Institution: Sociology Information Service (SocioHub)

Contact: Maike Lang (lang(at)ub.uni-koeln.de)

Duration: 3 hours

Date and Time: 28 September 2026, 1:00–4:00 p.m.

SocioHub is the collaboration platform for the sociological community. It provides researchers and students with easy access to discipline-specific information, professional networks, literature, research data, and digital collaboration tools. With more than 3,800 members and over 100 public groups, SocioHub offers extensive opportunities to increase the visibility of research and facilitate collaboration.

The first part of the workshop demonstrates practical applications of SocioHub, including research dissemination, communication, collaborative tools, surveys, video archives, and shared file editing. The second part focuses on research data management for qualitative sociological research and demonstrates how data sharing and archiving can become an integral part of the research process.

The workshop is open to participants with or without previous experience. An interactive live demonstration and practical exercises are included. Bringing a laptop is recommended.

Workshop 6: From Research Project to Publication – Orientation, Exchange, and Open Questions

Publisher / Institution: wbv Media

Contact: Britta Noack (britta.noack(at)wbv.de)

Duration: 3 hours

Date and Time: 28 September 2026, 1:00–4:00 p.m.

This workshop is aimed at early career researchers seeking guidance through the academic publishing process. From a publisher's perspective, it provides an introduction to publication pathways and editorial decision-making while encouraging discussion and exchange.

Topics include publication models, Open Access, Creative Commons licences, funding opportunities, support structures, and current developments such as the use of artificial intelligence in academic publishing. The workshop aims to provide orientation, increase transparency within the publishing process, and strengthen participants' confidence in making publication decisions..