Research Programme

At the IRS, researchers from the fields of economic and social geography, political science, sociology, planning science, history, and art and architectural history work together. Space is their common perspective: we analyse social processes and their spatial manifestations. We examine the transformation of spaces with a view to social action and the historical, institutional, and material conditions that shape it.

In order to develop research at the IRS across its three Research Areas, the institute sets itself a Research Programme every four years. This forms the basis for institutionally funded Lead Projects, for the long-term acquisition of third-party funding, for qualification projects and for the transfer of knowledge to society.

With our current Research Programme "Collaborating with Society" (2026-2029), we are responding to the growing need for cooperation beyond the boundaries of academia. Climate change, social inequality, political polarisation and global crises pose complex challenges for contemporary societies. In addition, crises overlap, creating a state of permanent crisis. Many of these problems transcend disciplinary boundaries – and cannot be addressed within the academic system alone.

That is why we are going one step further with our current research programme: we are not only researching social change – we are shaping the research process together with social actors. In recent years, a distance has grown between science and society – often accompanied by a loss of trust. Our programme responds to this situation. It understands research as an open learning process – in dialogue with practice, politics, civil society and citizens.

The focus is on participatory and transdisciplinary research approaches:

  • Participatory means that people outside academia actively contribute their knowledge, experiences and perspectives to the research process.
  • Transdisciplinary means that questions, methods and solutions are developed jointly – on an equal footing between academics and social actors.

Scientific quality remains central to this. At the same time, we are expanding the forms of knowledge production: research is becoming a cooperative process.

 

Three Lead Projects – three perspectives

In three Lead Projects, we are investigating social change and at the same time opening up avenues for transdisciplinary research:

The Research Area "Economy and Civil Society" takes a look at alternative economic forms with its flagship project "Caring – Valuing – Transitioning". These arise in response to social crises. Together with mission-driven organisations, such as cooperatives, the Lead Project examines how these organisations reconcile different ideas of value and how they can contribute to social transformation.

The Research Area "Politics and Planning" highlights the connection between the housing and climate crises with its flagship project "Urban Heat Transition". The two crises are linked, as are their possible solutions. The Lead project therefore builds bridges between previously separate fields of research and brings practitioners from housing and climate policy into dialogue. The aim is to arrive at an integrated understanding of the problem, both scientifically and practically.

In its Lead Project "Geschichte von unten – revisited", the research focus "Contemporary History and Archive" explores the German concept of "Boden" (soil, land) as an open, historically shaped and conflictual category that has been neglected in historical research to date. The project is developing a glossary of the multi-layered meanings and uses of the term. The glossary is intended to function as a digital tool. The community of practice associated with the IRS's Scientific Collections will be involved in its development in a participatory manner.

 

Our goal

"Collaborating with Society" is more than a Research Programme – it is an institutional learning process. In the coming years, we want to develop new formats, test methods and strengthen cooperation. The goal is to achieve academic research that remains excellent in its respective field and at the same time is more closely connected to society.