Modern Governance
Focus Area "Public Policy and Management"
Knowledge, coordination, and strategic action are central prerequisites for modern governance in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex society. At the same time, political control and management today are implemented less in accordance with centralized parameters determined by the state, but more through cooperation of various political and social stakeholders. Managing these processes requires scientific analyses, support, and consulting, both for specific political contents and policies as well as for corresponding organizational forms. Internationally established and renowned centers for teaching and research exist in this field. Germany, however, needs to catch up.
The Focus Area "Public Policy and Management" at the University of Potsdam is working on compensating this deficit. The research area draws its strength from interdisciplinary collaboration and international cooperation: For example, political and administrative scientists work together with sociologists, legal scholars, and economists to investigate changes in governmental organization of Western European countries.
Spokesperson of the Potsdam Center for Policy and Management„In the area of public policy and management, the University of Potsdam is already considered one of the most high-profile places both in Germany and Europe. We want to expand this position through innovative research and teaching!“
They analyze modernization processes in public administration and their consequences at international, national, and local level. Current research projects are dealing with international comparisons of the legitimacy of welfare-state reforms or the significance of the time factor for European integration. The Research Training Group on "Wicked Problems, Contested Administrations: Knowledge, Coordination, Strategy" (WIPCAD) investigates how organizations react to complex topics like climate change.
The "Potsdam Research Cluster for Georisk Analysis, Environmental Change and Sustainability" (PROGRESS) is of special importance. It is a joint project of natural and social scientists who explore the effects and challenges of global environmental changes. Perspectives of natural and social sciences are being integrated more comprehensively in academic training and continuing education. The specialization area “GeoGovernance” aims to better integrate the latest research findings on pressing issues such as natural hazards, climate change, and sustainable resources into political decision-making. There is worldwide demand for the scholarly authority of Potsdam’s scientists. As consultants, they are active on all levels: in municipalities, in federal and state governments, at the EU, OECD, or World Bank. A recent reputation study by the German Political Science Association has declared the University of Potsdam one of the three most important German universities and research institutions in the area of policy research and administrative sciences. The Center for Higher Education considers the UP’s Master’s and PhD programs to be among the very best in Europe. The joint degree programs with the Ecole Nationale d’Administration in Paris, the Berlin universities, and the Hertie School of Governance enjoy an excellent international reputation.