Institute for Political Science and Sociology

Team Leader

About JMU

The Institute for Political Science and Sociology (IPS) at the Faculty of Human Sciences of the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg offers a dynamic research and teaching environment. Bringing together political science and sociology, the institute is committed to addressing pressing societal challenges with methodological diversity and interdisciplinary approaches. A key focus of the IPS is sustainability research from a social science perspective. The Professorship of Social Science Sustainability Research plays a crucial role in this area, contributing significant expertise in environmental policy and knowledge transfer research. This makes the IPS an ideal setting for projects such as MARKOPOLO, which require a deep understanding of sustainability governance and environmental policy processes.

At the IPS, students can pursue Bachelor’s, Master’s, and teaching degrees, with opportunities for interdisciplinary combinations and doctoral research through graduate schools. The institute’s research fields span comparative political science, international relations, political theory, general and specialized sociology, and both qualitative and quantitative social research methods. Notably, the focus on sustainability research underscores the faculty’s commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through rigorous scientific inquiry. By bridging empirical research with societal needs, the IPS contributes to the faculty’s overarching mission: to explore the evolving nature of humanity, providing scholarly insights that align with contemporary and future societal transformations. Its dedication to sustainability research further highlights its role in shaping innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.