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Institutions

The competence field “Metropolitan Research” is a cooperation network comprised of the three UA Ruhr universities and a large number of relevant academic institutions and research institutes, which are already highly interconnected. Furthermore, the competence field cooperates with non-academic research centers.

The following research institutions cooperate with and participate in “Metropolitan Research”:

  • Institute for Work and Technology (IAT) Gelsenkirchen
    The Institute for Work and Technology defines itself as a research and development institution whose activities aim at applicable knowledge and tools for enhancing social welfare and economic performance. Furthermore, it focuses on the development, piloting and diffusion of innovative and sustainable solutions. As a central research organization of the University of Applied Sciences Gelsenkirchen, Bocholt, Recklinghausen and in co-operation with the Ruhr University Bochum, the IAT forms a mutual competence center for innovation at both universities.

  • Research Institute for Regional and Urban Development (ILS) Dortmund
    The Research Institute for Regional and Urban Development is an independent research institute that compares and analyses the current and future development of urban spaces through international and interdisciplinary research. It investigates urban restructuring processes at all levels, from town quarters to municipalities and urban regions as well as their involvement in inter-regional, national, and international relationships.

  • Institute for Housing, Real Estate Management, Urban and Regional Development (InWIS) Bochum
    Founded in 1994 as a private research institute attached to the Ruhr-University Bochum, two affiliated companies now exist under the umbrella group EBZ (European Educational Centre of Housing and Real Estate Management): the charitable InWIS GmbH (an institute attached to the EBZ business school as well as the University of Bochum) and the InWIS Research & Consulting GmbH. Together, they offer competence and experience in the fields of housing and real estate management as well as local and political consulting regarding housing and real estate.

  • Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI) Essen
    The Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI) in Essen belongs to the three universities of Bochum, Dortmund and Duisburg-Essen, which form the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr). The KWI promotes excellent interdisciplinary research in the humanities, social and cultural sciences and maintains close cooperation with regional, national and international partners. It conducts basic research on the principles of modern culture with regard to relevant questions of contemporary societies. The KWI engages in civic education and outreach programs by organizing public events and cooperations with cultural institutions as well as with the media.
  • Rhein-Ruhr Institute for Social Research and Political Consulting (RISP) e.V. Duisburg
    RISP, founded in 1980, is recognized by the NRW Ministry of Culture and Science as an institute affiliated with the University of Duisburg-Essen. Its research focus is on the accelerated structural transformation in the Rhine-Ruhr Region as well as increasing globalisation, which are posing numerous new challenges for decision makers in politics, administration, business and academia. RISP here makes significant contributions by means of applied research, evaluation, surveys and consulting.

  • Center for Interdisciplinary Area Studies (ZEFIR) Bochum
    The Center for Interdisciplinary Area Studies is an institute of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Ruhr-University Bochum that concerns itself with questions and problems regarding the Ruhr Area. ZEFIR puts an emphasis on fundamental research, the transfer of academic research results to practical application and academic consulting with politics and administration. Particular attention is devoted to local and regional aspects. All of these activities are also incorporated into teaching and promoting young researchers.

  • Center for Logistics and Traffic (ZLV) Duisburg
    As a center of excellence, the Center for Logistics and Traffic (ZLV) dedicates itself to the interdisciplinary conception, management and transfer of scientific work from all across the University of Duisburg-Essen in the areas of logistics, mobility and traffic. Further areas of interest include concepts for energy efficient transport, the application of operations research in companies, the integration of urban structures and traffic in land use planning, the creation of logistic systems for humanitarian aid as well as research into the development of long-term sustainable, economically conducive, socially acceptable and ecologically reliable innovations (sustainability research).

  • Center for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU) Essen
    The Centre for Water and Environmental Research is an interdisciplinary research center at the University of Duisburg-Essen. Since 2003 it has brought together experts from different disciplines working in the field of water and environmental research. At the university, it is part of the interdisciplinary main research area “Urban Systems”. The center members are scientists from the three UA Ruhr universities, several other academic partners and research institutions as well as regional water boards and company representatives. Together the ZWU members try to develop inter- and transdisciplinary research and educational projects focusing on important topics in the field of water and environment in the region and beyond.