Research Program with The Max-Planck-Institut für Gesellschaftsforschung

Northwestern University partners with The Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies, The Max-Planck-Institut für Gesellschaftsforschung (MPIfG), on a program for PhD students studying political economy and economic sociology. Though most students will be sociologists and political scientists, students from other departments, especially history, can qualify if their work focuses on the interchanges between economy, society and government.

As described on its website: The Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies conducts advanced basic research on the governance of modern societies. It aims to develop an empirically based theory of the social and political foundations of modern economies by investigating the interrelation between economic, social and political action. Using primarily an institutional approach, it examines how markets and business organizations are embedded in historical, institutional, political and cultural frameworks, how they develop, and how their social contexts change over time. The institute seeks to build a bridge between theory and policy and to contribute to political debate on major challenges facing modern societies.

Students on the program will study at the Max Planck Institute in Cologne, Germany as visiting predoctoral fellows for six months (either from October to March or April to September). Primarily intended for students doing research for their dissertation, participants are also eligible to take classes offered by the Institute with consultation by the directors of the Institute.  Participating students will also be provided with a shared office with computer and printing facilities and have full access to the Institute’s research libraries and archives. MPIfG will also assist visiting students to find appropriate housing.

All costs will be covered by the student through grant or fellowship funds, including travel expenses. Students are encouraged to seek outside funding to cover these costs, but TGS also offers many grants and fellowships for travel and research abroad.

Please contact Professor Bruce Carruthers, Sociology, b-carruthers@northwestern.edu, if you are interested in participating in this program.