Scientific Institutions
The Compentence Field of Metropolitan Research is a collaborative network comprising the three UA Ruhr universities and comprises a large number of relevant, well-established central academic institutions and affiliated institutes. In addition, there are close links with non-university research institutions.
The following participating and collaborating academic institutions and networks are worth mentioning:
The Institut Arbeit und Technik (IAT) sees itself as a research and development institution whose academic and practical focus is on the organisation of knowledge and innovation for sustainable prosperity and quality of life. As a central body of the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences in Gelsenkirchen, Bocholt and Recklinghausen, and a partner of Ruhr University Bochum, the IAT serves as a joint centre of excellence for innovation for both universities.
The RISP – founded in 1980 – is an affiliated institute of the University of Duisburg-Essen recognised by the Ministry of Science of North Rhine-Westphalia. Its research focuses on the accelerated structural change in the Rhine-Ruhr region and the intensifying trends of globalisation in recent years, which present new challenges in many areas for decision-makers in politics and administration, business and academia. Through applied research, evaluation, surveys and consultancy, the RISP makes significant contributions to addressing the challenges ahead.
The Institute for Regional and Urban Development is a non-university research institute that conducts interdisciplinary and internationally comparative research into the current and future development of cities. It examines urban restructuring processes at all relevant scales, from the neighbourhood and the city as a whole to the urban region, and their integration into interregional, national and international contexts.
Center for Interdisciplinary Regional Research (ZEFIR), Bochum
The Centre for Interdisciplinary Regional Research is an institute within the Faculty of Social Sciences at Ruhr University Bochum that addresses issues and challenges facing the Ruhr region. In addition to basic research, particular emphasis is placed on the practical application of research findings and on providing academic support and advice to policymakers and public authorities. Local and regional aspects are given special consideration in this work. All these activities also contribute to the development of young researchers and to teaching.
Founded in 1994 as an affiliated institute of the Ruhr University Bochum, there are now two sister companies operating under the umbrella of the European Education Centre for the Housing and Real Estate Industry (EBZ): the non-profit organisation InWIS GmbH (an affiliated institute of the EBZ Business School and the Ruhr University Bochum) and InWIS Forschung & Beratung GmbH. Together, they represent expertise and experience in all aspects of the housing and property sector, as well as municipal and political consultancy in relation to housing and property.
The Centre for Logistics and Transport (ZLV) brings together a variety of chairs for the interdisciplinary conception, management and transfer of scientific work related to global supply chains, logistics, mobility and transport from different departments of the University of Duisburg-Essen. ZLV is oriented towards innovations that are sustainable in the long term, economically beneficial, and ecologically and socially compatible. The vision is to become an internationally recognised knowledge generation and transfer centre for excellent and innovative transdisciplinary research on global sustainable supply chains, logistics and mobility in a multi-level governance system.
The Essen Institute for Cultural Studies is an interdisciplinary and inter-university research centre for the humanities and cultural studies within the UA Ruhr Universities, following in the tradition of international advanced study institutes. The KWI sees itself as a focal point for interdisciplinary questions concerning modern culture, which it addresses in a practice-oriented manner. The Institute promotes ambitious cultural studies research, international exchange and intercultural dialogue, whilst placing a strong emphasis on involving early-career researchers.
The Centre for Water and Environmental Research is an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental research centre at the University of Duisburg-Essen, which was founded in 2003 under the name ‘Centre for Microscale Environmental Systems (ZMU)’. With its focus on the thematic areas of the urban water cycle, biodiversity and the water cycle, the ZWU supports the key research area of “Urban Systems” and brings together the expertise and resources of scientists and experts in the region working in the field of water and environmental research.