College for Social Sciences and Humanities

As we all come from different disciplines and contexts, we are keen to open up new perspectives for the entire field of social sciences and humanities. Under the umbrella of the College are experts who represent a broad spectrum of approaches and methodologies and are highly motivated to work on diverse scientific topics - from social behavior and interaction to communication, education, media and art to history, politics and economics. The three research professorships at the College will explore relevant topics of contemporary societies, such as the impact of ignorance in complex organizations, the influence of experts and intellectuals on the public sphere, or the potential of digital tools for pluralistic cultures of memory. With three junior professorships and short-term funding for collaborative working groups, the College also supports outstanding younger researchers with an open-topic approach. Last but not least, the College also offers events and publications that reach beyond the world of science, because we are interested in the questions and expectations that a broader public has of science.

As a creative hub for interdisciplinary work, the College addresses current challenges, but also offers the freedom to identify new research topics. Our aim is to create epistemic and social added value for the three universities and their members. We are convinced that - with our combined efforts - we will further strengthen the international visibility and reputation of the Ruhr region in the humanities and social sciences."

As we all come from very different disciplines and backgrounds, we strive to develop new perspectives for the broad field of the social sciences and humanities. Under the roof of the College, you will find experts representing a wide array of approaches and methodologies, eager to tackle subjects ranging from social behaviour and interaction, communication, education, media and the arts to history, politics and economics. The College’s three research professorships will explore highly significant topics of contemporary societies, such as the impact of non-knowledge in complex organisations, the influence of experts and intellectuals on the public sphere, or the potential of digital tools for the formation of pluralistic memory cultures. Offering three junior professorships and collaborative short-term grants, the College also supports excellent early and mid-career researchers in an open-topic mode. Finally, the College offers events and publications reaching out beyond academia, as we are interested in a wider public’s questions and expectations about science and scholarship.

As a creative hub attracting interdisciplinary work, the College addresses current challenges, but it also provides leeway to identify new research topics. It is our aim to generate epistemic and social value for the three universities and their members and we believe that, with joint efforts, we will increase the international visibility and reputation of the Ruhr region in the humanities and social sciences."