About

Martin Lenzner is a research associate at the Chair of "Sociology of Digital Transformation" at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Professor Markus Hertwig). Previously, he studied sociology (B.A.) and digital work (M.Sc.) at the Chemnitz University of Technology and subsequently worked as a specialist in the project "Centre for Digital Work" at ARBEIT UND LEBEN Sachsen e.V. In his doctoral research, he examines workers’ perceptions of technology, work orientations, and agency in the context of automation and digitalization in port labour.

Research interests include digitalization and automation of work and organizations, subject-oriented and actor-centered sociology of work, and qualitative social research.

Research projects

• New Normal - Empirical Survey and Real World Laboratories

Curriculum Vitae

01/2023 – today

Research Associate, Chair of Sociology of Digital Transformation, Ruhr-Universität Bochum

11/2021 – 12/2022

Specialist in the project "Centre for Digital Work", ARBEIT UND LEBEN Sachsen e.V.

09/2020 – 09/2021

Research assistant, Chair of Sociology with focus on work and organization, Chemnitz University of Technology

02/2020 – 07/2020

Intern, Department of Methods, Digital Transformation and Innovation, "Digital Society", Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

09/2019 – 12/2019

IAESTE Internship Abroad, International Relations Department, Universidade Tiradentes (UNIT)

04/2018 – 12/2021

Master’s degree in Digital Work (M.Sc.), Chemnitz University of Technology

• Master thesis: Zwischen Inklusion und Wirtschaftlichkeit - die Organisation von Arbeit in Inklusionsunternehmen und WfbM

03/2018 – 09/2019

Research assistant, Chair of Sociology with focus on work and organization, Chemnitz University of Technology

10/2013 – 03/2018

Bachelor of Sociology (B.A.), Chemnitz University of Technology

• Bachelor Thesis: Digitale Arbeit und betriebliche Herrschaft

Publications

Westerheide, J.E., Hertwig, M, Lenzner, M., & Witzak, P. (2025). Reconsidering  Power, Interests and Actor Relations in Labour Studies: The Case of the Privatisation in the Port of Hamburg. In: Global Labour Journal, 16(3), 183-200. https://doi.org/10.15173/glj.v16i3.5983

Westerheide, J.E., Lenzner, M., Hertwig, M. & Korn, A. (2025): Anomy in the bureaucracy: (post-)pandemic gaps in institutionalization and re-personalization of control in hybrid work. In: Work in the Global Economy, published online ahead of print 2025. https://doi.org/10.1332/27324176Y2025D000000040

Westerheide, J. E., Lenzner, M. (2025). Guaranteeing Digitalization – Users as Enablers of Effective Rationalization in Public Administration. In: Nathan Weis und Peter Schadt (Hrsg.), Scheinsubjekt Digitalisierung: Politische Ökonomie der Arbeit 4.0 (Arbeit – Organisation – Politik) , S. 112–131. Weinheim: Beltz Juventa.

Lenzner, M., Westerheide, J. E., Hertwig, M., Korn, A. (2023). Normalization Gaps in Hybrid Forms of Work: Post-Pandemic Working Time Cultures and Re-Personalization of Control in Public Administration. Arbeits- und Industriessoziologische Studien. doi.org/10.21241/ssoar.91253

Lenzner, M. (2021). The Gig Economy in Germany and Brazil: comparing the extent and form of precarious work in platform ride-hailing and meal delivery services. Chemnitzer Internet- und Techniksoziologie (CITS): Working Papers. nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bsz:ch1-qucosa2-739768

Presentations

• 06/2024. Inclusion by restriction? Orientations and Practices of Organizing Work in Sheltered Workshops. ILERA 20th Triennial World Congress. New York City.
• 04/2024. Divergent Working Time Cultures: De-bureaucratization and Re-personalization of Control in Public Administration (with Westerheide, J., Hertwig, M., Korn, A.). International Labour-Process-Conference 2024. Georg-August-Universität Göttingen.
• 04/2024 – There is Power in a Union - There is Power Elsewhere. Reassessing Interests, Orientations and Power Resources in Labour Mobilisation (mit Westerheide, J., Hertwig, M. und Witzak, P. – vorgetragen von Westerheide, J. & Hertwig, M.). International Labour Process Conference 2024, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
• 06/2023. Normierungslücken in der mobilen Arbeit – Aushandlungen um Arbeitszeit und Kontrollpraktiken in der öffentlichen Verwaltung. Universität Osnabrück (with Westerheide, J., Korn, A., Hertwig, M.).
• 02/2023. New Normal? Divergente Bewertungspraktiken und Bewertungsmaßstäbe digitaler Führung und Kontrolle in der öffentlichen Verwaltung​. Universität Bielefeld. (with Korn, A., Westerheide, J. und Hertwig, M.).
• 12/2019 – The Digitalization of Everything? The World of Online Work. Palestras Internacionais Movimentam a Academia, Tiradentes Innovation Center, Aracaju, SE, Brazil.

Teaching

Ruhr University Bochum - Faculty for Social Sciences

• WiSe 25/26
  • *Technik und Arbeit aus subjektorientierter Perspektive (BA Soziologie, Modul „Arbeit“)
• WiSe24/25
  • *Aktuelle Entwicklungen industrieller Beziehungen im Logistik- und Transportwesen (BA Soziologie, Modul E&P)
• SoSe24
  • *Subjekte, Arbeitsorientierungen und Interessen in der Arbeit (BA Soziologie, Modul „Arbeit“)

Ruhr University Bochum - Institute for Work Science

• WiSe23/24; WiSe 25/26
  • Organisation in Theorie und Praxis (MA Organizational Management)
• SoSe23, SoSe25
  • Partizipation in Organisationen (MA Organizational Management)
• WiSe22/23; SoSe23; WiSe23/24; SoSe25
  • Empirie in Unternehmen (MA Organizational Management)
• WiSe22/23
  • Human Resource Management (MA Organizational Management)

Chemnitz University of Technology - Institute of Sociology

• WiSe20/21
  • Seminar: Aktuelle Entwicklungen digitaler Arbeit (MA Digitale Arbeit)
• WiSe17/18
  • *Tutorium zur Einführung in die allgemeine und theoretische Soziologie

*courses independently developed and taught