Wzb

Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB) is a German social science research institute located in Berlin. It conducts interdisciplinary research on social, political, and economic issues and aims to inform policy debates and public discourse. The WZB operates as a Leibniz Association research institution, receiving funding from the federal and Berlin governments, and collaborating with universities and other partners.

History: The institute was established in 1969 by the German federal government and the State of Berlin to promote social science research and to strengthen public policy analysis.

Research programs and approach: WZB hosts several long-term research programs and exploratory groups. Research areas include social inequality and welfare states, democracy and governance, migration and mobility, labor markets, urban and regional development, science and innovation, and digital society. The institute uses a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, including data analysis, experiments, surveys, and case studies.

Outputs and impact: WZB publishes scholarly articles, working papers, and policy-relevant briefs; it also runs seminars, lectures, and policy dialogues that connect researchers with policymakers, practitioners, and the general public. Through its research networks, the WZB contributes to comparative cross-national studies and international collaborations.