Hendrik Speck, Ph.D. (ABD), Ada Byron Chair at the European Graduate School EGS, is a Professor of Digital Media at the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Department of Computer Sciences and Interactive Media and head of the Information Architecture and Search Engine Laboratory. He has taught and lectured at the International School of New Media, European Graduate School, New School for Social Research and Columbia University.

Professor Speck is a regular speaker and conference panelist; he is the author of many articles and has (co-)authored several books, including: Medien auf Abruf – Folgen der Individualisierung für die Kommunikationsgesellschaft (Vistas, 2007); Die Macht der Suchmaschinen / The Power of Search Engines (Halem Verlag, 2007); Suchen und Finden im Internet (Springer Verlag, 2007); and Die Google Gesellschaft (Transcript, 2005). He achieved a diplom (MFA) from Burg Giebichenstein, a master's degree from New School University's Media Studies/ Communications/ Media Management and Leadership program, and is currently finishing his Ph.D. – focusing on information operations, marketing, media management, intellectual property, open source, e-learning, cyberwar, netwar, ethical, social and legal implications and limitations.

He has been working as an e-commerce consultant and was appointed CIO and Assistant Director of the Media and Communications department of the European Graduate School EGS. This position includes the responsibilty for the development of all web activities, policies and associations. Professor Speck has designed distance and e-learning systems, developed online/viral marketing strategies, and worked on information architecture projects for governments, corporate clients, and academic institutions. Hendrik Speck is working as a consultant for Quaero and Theseus, exploring the next generation of intelligent search, information retrieval, and visualization systems for the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. Professor Speck is a Fulbright and DAAD Scholar, and recipient of several other scholarships from Heinrich Böll Stiftung, New School University (New York), and European Graduate School.