Social Science Research Center Berlin
Jutta Allmendinger ( President since 2007)
The Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB ) in Berlin is an internationally renowned research institution in the field of the social sciences - the largest non-university in Germany. She is a member of the Leibniz Association.
Organization
The WZB was founded in 1969 on the initiative of members of parliament from all political groups and was within the first few years the name International Institute of Management - Science Center Berlin. In WZB around 140 German and foreign sociologists, political scientists, economists, historians, statisticians, computer scientists and legal scholars working together. On WZB problem-oriented basic research is carried out on selected social and political topics. The focus of interest is on the western societies of Central and Eastern Europe and China. Of particular importance are issues of globalization.
The WZB is divided into six research areas:
The legal form of the WZB is a non-profit limited liability company, the ownership share of 75 %, the Federal Republic of Germany and 25% of the State of Berlin. It is also a member of the Leibniz Association.
The WZB cooperates as non-university institution closely with the universities in Berlin. Many scientists are there at the same time high school teacher or have teaching assignments. There are also research institutions abroad many collaborations.
Since 1 April 2007, the sociologist Jutta Allmendinger is president of the WZB.
On 17 February 2009, the WZB celebrated its 40th anniversary in the Red Town Hall in Berlin. After the founding 40 years ago was controversial, the WZB has established itself as a recognized social research facility.
The WZB brings out a quarterly magazine WZB-Mitteilungen.
Prominent scientists and scholars (selection)
- Howard Aldrich - Sociologist: Visiting Scholar Summer 1975 and 1980
- Ralf Dahrendorf - sociologist, politician and publicist: 2005-2009
- Charles W. German - Director at the WZB 1977-1987
- Meinolf Dierkes - Sociologist: President 1980-1987
- Gøsta Esping -Andersen - sociologist, political scientist: Research Director 1985 to 1986
- William H. Starbuck - physicists, mathematicians and organizational researchers: 1971-1974
Building
The building complex was designed by the British architect James Stirling from the years 1979-1988 in the style of post-modern architecture. It lies on the Reichpietschufer of the Landwehr Canal in the Tiergarten district of Mitte. Was integrated to the shore road the only building that had survived the Second World War in the area: The built in 1894 Imperial Insurance Office in Neo-Renaissance style.