WZB - Berlin Social Science Center

The WZB

The WZB Berlin Social Science Center investigates fundamental societal issues. Our focus is on education and work, markets and choice, migration, democracy and autocracy, international politics and law. At the WZB researchers from various disciplines work together – mainly from sociology, political science, economics, law and psychology.

Working at the WZB

The WZB offers a modern working environment, where both equal opportunities and the compatibility of work and family are highly valued. Find out more about it here.

WZB-Mitteilungen

Change

Times are dynamic and challenging. Political, economic and technological developments around the world are taking place at breathtaking speed. The March issue of our quarterly “WZB-Mitteilungen” reflects the deep ambivalence of change - the spirit of optimism, but also resistance and hardening fronts.

The issue focuses on the state and future of democracy: How can the boom of the extreme right be explained? What forms does protest take? What role do language and education play? There are also analyses of the transport revolution, industrial policy, and the handling of data.

 

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Ageing Well in Digital Times

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Mann mit App
Plyushkin/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely regarded as a promising development in the healthcare sector, with anticipated benefits such as improved diagnostic accuracy, earlier detection of health risks, and enhanced support for older adults through assistive technologies. Yet, the development and use of such technologies raises questions about justice, participation, and responsibility.

The Change of Change

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Uhren
DKosig/ iStock / Getty Images Plus

Change is not a one-dimensional process. To grasp its true nature, we must consider two levels of time: the rhythm of individual moments and the totality of elapsed time. Steffen Huck explores this perspective through examples such as technological progress and the rise of the populist right, demonstrating its crucial role in understanding processes of change.

Call for Papers: "The Future of Democracy?"

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Konferenz Future of Democracy
Nadim Bazze

The WZB is dedicating its first annual interdisciplinary conference from 9 to 10 October 2025 to “The Future of Democracy?”. We invite submissions that analyze the obstacles facing liberal democracies and explore potential solutions for safeguarding and strengthening democratic institutions. Our aim is to create a forum for interdisciplinary discussions. Submission deadline: 30 April 2025

Perception of Security Influences Elections

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Porträt Jehun Alizade
Sameer Khan

When talking about migration, many citizens invoke the terms security and crime – often associated with fears and the suggestion that the increasing number of migrants is exacerbating crime. How does this perception influence voting preferences? What differences are there between voters and parties on the right, conservative and left of the political spectrum? A recent study by WZB researcher Jeyhun Alizade illustrates how strongly issues such as security and migration shape different political camps. 

Welcome, Moses Shayo!

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Porträt Moses Shayo
privat

We welcome Moses Shayo (Hebrew University of Jerusalem),  K.W. Deutsch Visiting Professor at the WZB for 2025. The guest professorship is awarded annually by the WZB in memory of the renowned political and social scientist Karl W. Deutsch, WZB director from 1975 to 1987.