Weberian Research Programme

Internationally renowned scholars from various disciplines are appointed as fellows for set periods of time. These fellows work on their individual research projects related to the Weberian research programme and simultaneously advise and create networks with junior researchers (PhD candidates and postdocs).

In this way, the Max-Weber-Kolleg brings together scholars of different generations, so that fellows benefit from the innovative ideas of the junior researchers, who in turn benefit from the experience and contacts of the fellows. The cooperation between fellows and junior researchers follows the principles of teaching research and research-based learning as well as that of task-based teamwork.

Research in the cultural and social sciences at the Max-Weber-Kolleg is historical and comparative. The focus is on the interdisciplinary linking of the disciplines represented at the Kolleg, which were influenced in a special way by Max Weber: Sociology, History, Religious Studies, Economics, Law, Philosophy and Theology.

The research achievements in sociology of the Max-Weber-Kolleg were found to be excellent in the elaborate research rating of the German Science Council in 2008. The Max-Weber-Kolleg is thus one of the 4% best research units (9 out of 254) in the field of sociology in Germany.

Researchers from diverse regions are invited to the Max-Weber-Kolleg. The specific approach chosen in the Weberian research programme, which has its roots in understanding sociology (“Verstehende Soziologie” Max Weber), is intended to open up innovative perspectives that overcome Eurocentric and cognitivistically narrow views.

In this way, the Kolleg aims to make a contribution to dealing with socially relevant problems of the present, for example, with regard to understanding the role of material, ideal and cultural conditions for successful coexistence in pluralistic societies, the creation of common languages for narrative explanations of cultural heritage or the understanding of essential value systems in globalised modernity. The academic languages at the Kolleg are English and German.

We believe in the unifying power of international scientific cooperation, in the persuasive power of arguments in discourse and in the necessity of freedom, peace and human rights for the development of science and education. That is why we want to continue to work with scientists from all regions of the world (including Ukraine and Russia) who share these convictions.

This keyword is used to describe the so-called "third mission", i.e. the mission of science to society and to address social issues. The Max-Weber-Kolleg supports formats that bring society and science into contact.