Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
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Social coexistence

Humboldt-Universität is committed to research on democracy and participation - one of the most pressing social issues of our time. It is not only about understanding the dynamics and changes in democracies and institutions, but also about the legal framework that shapes and organises our coexistence.

Democracy & participation

Das Bild zeigt eine Betonwand mit Graffiti, auf der die Worte "HUMAN INSIDE" in weißer Farbe zu lesen sind. Darüber und daneben sind abstrakte blaue und violette Muster. Vor der Wand stehen ein Holzpalette, eine Holzplatte und ein Sperrholzbrett.
Photo: Matthias Heyde

Modern societies & political systems

The Institute of Social Sciences combines sociology and political science with a thematic focus on inequality and labour, democracy and transformation, migration and the urban world. Researchers analyse how democracies and their institutions function and how they deal with social crises. Their research is not only communicated in teaching, but is also actively disseminated to society through events and publications.

Research for an objective debate on integration

The Berlin Institute for Empirical Integration and Migration Research (BIM) researches how migration and integration processes develop in Germany and Europe. It provides a scientific basis for social debates.

Work of civil society organisations

How can refugee mothers from Ukraine be better supported? The INTERSECT project is analysing cooperation between the state, civil society and refugees. One aim is to make migrant initiatives more visible.

History X Present

In the podcast "Vergangenheitsformen", students of history talk to guests about current developments in history and other related disciplines.

Law & Justice

Das Bild zeigt eine Gruppe von Menschen, die in einem öffentlichen Verkehrsmittel, vermutlich einem Bus, stehen. Die Szene ist durch das Fenster des Busses fotografiert worden, wodurch Regentropfen auf der Scheibe sichtbar sind. Die Personen sind in dunkle Kleidung gehüllt.
Photo: Matthias Heyde

Our students are actively committed to integration and human rights. In the Humboldt Law Clinic Fundamental and Human Rights and the Refugee Law Clinic, law students work together with lawyers and NGOs on real cases - for example to protect refugees or to enforce social rights. The clinics combine legal training with practical engagement for disadvantaged groups and thus make a direct contribution to civil society.

Initiatives & actions

Scholars at Risk

Conscious of its historical responsibility, Humboldt-Universität supports persecuted researchers. Find out more about how we promote freedom of research through our initiatives and networks.

Programmes for refugee students

Ukrainian refugee students have the opportunity to study at Humboldt-Universität as part of a special programme. As exchange students, they can receive credit points for their studies.

Fundraising campaign for Ukraine

The Institute of Slavic and Hungarian Studies is collecting donations in kind such as food, hygiene articles, non-prescription medicines, warm clothing and socks as well as sleeping bags for Ukraine.

Research projects on social coexistence

Project
Berlin University Alliance (BUA) 11/2019 - 12/2020

Worlding Cities. Migration and Cohesion in the Digitally Connected City

Principal investigator(s): Prof. Dr. Manuela Bojadzijev

Project
Other foundations in Germany 01/2026 - 10/2026

Women's agencies in transitional spaces of late socialism: gender orders, subjectivities, and transnational interconnections within and beyond the Eastern Bloc

Principal investigator(s): Prof. Dr. Jörg Baberowski, Prof. Dr. Oksana Nagornaia

Project
Other foundations in Germany 09/2025 - 08/2026

Windy Roads: The ambivalent relationship of Union citizenship and Member State nationality.

Principal investigator(s): Prof. Dr. Matthias Ruffert

Project
Other international foundations 10/2024 - 09/2027

What is the Role of Firms in Immigrants' Labor Market Integration?

Principal investigator(s): Prof. Dr. Alexandra Spitz-Oener

Project
Volkswagen Foundation 11/2025 - 04/2027

Welfare in question: understandings of social protection in Germany and Italy

Principal investigator(s): Prof. Dr. Ignacio Farías

Project
Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space 10/2017 - 03/2021

Welcoming Neighbourhoods – Conditions of Social Cohesion in Super-Diverse Communities

Principal investigator(s): Dr. Ulrike Hamann, Nihad El-Kayed

Project
Volkswagen Foundation 11/2022 - 04/2023

WEALTH & SPACE. Conflictive spatialities of wealth (re-)production in Latin America

Principal investigator(s): Dr. Corinna Hölzl-Verwiebe

Project
Volkswagen Foundation 09/2023 - 08/2027

Wealth & Space - Contested geographies of wealth (re-)production in Latin America

Principal investigator(s): Dr. Corinna Hölzl-Verwiebe

Project
Volkswagen Foundation 12/2024 - 12/2025

Urban Trust. The Metropolis and Our Public Life

Principal investigator(s): Prof. Dr. Talja Blokland

Project
Land Bayern 11/2016 - 12/2026

University of Regensburg Integration Award 2016 “Menschen mit Hintergrund”

Principal investigator(s): Prof. Dr. Naika Foroutan

All Projects

Your contribution to scientific exchange

Offers for researchers

We support scientists in transferring their research findings to industry and society. To this end, we offer advice, support, financial frameworks and further training.

Offers for students

Studying at Humboldt-Universität involves more than just acquiring knowledge. Students are given the opportunity early on to apply what they have learnt in practice and develop solutions for business and society.