The Mannheim Centre for European Social Research (MZES) was founded in 1989 as an interdisciplinary institute of the University of Mannheim. It is the largest university-based research institute in the German social sciences, steadily building its internationally leading position. Approximately 100 MZES scholars explore European social and political developments. The MZES is closely associated with the University's School of Social Sciences.

Mission

The MZES conducts social science research on the development of European societies and their political systems from both a comparative and an integration perspective. The Centre has a strong analytical-empirical and comparative tradition, contributing to theoretical developments and to substantial knowledge. It adopts cross-national comparative and multi-level integration approaches, and combines perspectives from sociology and political science. With its specific profile the MZES holds a unique and leading international position.