The WZB Berlin Social Research Center conducts basic research with a focus on problems of modern societies in a globalized world. The research is theory-based, problem-oriented, often long-term and mostly based on international comparisons.

Our research areas are:

Education, work, life chances
Markets and choice
Society and economic dynamics
International politics and law
Dynamics of political systems
Migration and diversity
Around 160 German and international researchers work at the WZB, including sociologists, political scientists, economists, legal scholars and historians.

Research results are published for the scientific community as well as for experts in politics, business, the media and civic organizations.

As a non-university research institute, the WZB is member of the Leibniz-Association. The WZB closely cooperates with Berlin universities. Its research directors also hold chairs at universities in Berlin and beyond.

The WZB was founded in 1969 by members of the German parliament from all parties. The WZB is funded by the Federal government and the state of Berlin.