Research Research Projects
The research projects at the Institute of Political Science in Heidelberg examine key questions of political order, governance, and international relations. They combine theoretical approaches with empirical analysis and cover a broad range of topics. The close integration of research and teaching creates a vibrant academic environment. Heidelberg offers excellent conditions for this thanks to its long scholarly tradition, international networks, and an interdisciplinary research landscape. The projects contribute to the advancement of political science knowledge and foster dialogue with society and the political sphere.
The Institute’s strong standing in research is reflected both in reputation studies conducted by the German Association for Political Science (DVPW) and in numerous national and international research projects (DFG, Thyssen Foundation, Volkswagen Foundation, Bertelsmann Foundation, EU, etc.), as well as in the diverse and internationally prominent publication record of its researchers.
Current Projects at the IPW
Chair of Comparative Politics
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| Duration | Project |
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| Duration | Project | |
|---|---|---|
Since 2025 | Grant holder, „Militärs und ‚democratic backsliding‘ seit Ende des Kalten Krieges (MILBACK)“, DFG (Co-PI: David Kuehn, GIGA Hamburg, 2025-2028) | |
Since 2025 | Grant holder, „Democratic Backsliding and Civil-Military Relations in the United States”, Fritz-Thyssen-Stiftung | |
Since 2024 | Grant holder „Remilitarization in the Asia-Pacific. Implications for Democratic Governance (GenKo)“, DAAD-NRF (Co-PI: Brendan Howe, Ewha Womans University, 2025-2026) | |
Since 2024 | Grant holder “Demokratische Regression und Resilienz in Ost- und Südostasien““, DFG-NRF (Co-PI: Youngho Cho, Sogang University, 2025) | |
Since 2024 | Grant holder, „Den Wandel gestalten – Strategien der Entwicklung und Transformation” (“Shaping change – Strategies of Development and Transformation”), Bertelsmann Stiftung“ (2024-2025) |
Chair of International Relations and Foreign Policy
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| Duration | Project |
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| Duration | Project | |
|---|---|---|
Chair of Modern Political Theory
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| Duration | Project |
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| Duration | Project | |
|---|---|---|
2023 – 2026 | „Mediale Antiziganismen – Von der interdisziplinären Analyse zur kritischen Medienkompetenz“ (MeAviA) (BMFTR-Projekt) | |
Chair of Political Science
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| Duration | Project |
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| Duration | Project | |
|---|---|---|
Current | ACCELZ More information to follow. | |
Current | Restoring Nature More information to follow. | |
Current | RECODE More information to follow. | |
Current | Carbon emission information for local climate action More information to follow. |
Chair in Political Science, with a focus on the comparative analysis of political systems
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| Project | Project Lead |
|---|
| Project | Project Lead |
|---|---|
Social Self-Empowerment | Prof. Dr. Reimut Zohlnhöfer |
Political Expectations and Responsibility Attribution | Prof. Dr. Reimut Zohlnhöfer |
The Transformation of Government Intervention in the Economy in Advanced Democracies | Prof. Dr. Reimut Zohlnhöfer |
Theoretically Refining the Multiple Streams Framework | Prof. Dr. Reimut Zohlnhöfer |
A Theory of Political Decision-Making | Prof. Dr. Reimut Zohlnhöfer |
Taking Stock of what German Governments do | Prof. Dr. Reimut Zohlnhöfer |