The University of Potsdam - A portrait
Profile
Modern Governance
Focus Area Public Policy and Management
Photo: Unicom
Transparency, responsibilities in decision-making, and cooperation are the hallmarks of modern governance in a changing society in which control processes are implemented less in accordance to centralized parameters determined by the state, and more through broad political discourse. All social actors take part in this process.
A successful management of these processes requires scientific analysis, support, and consulting, both in the area of specific political content as well as contemporary forms of organization. Internationally, there are established and renowned centers for research and teaching in this field. Germany, however, needs to catch up. The Focus Area Public Policy and Management at the University of Potsdam is working on removing this deficit.
The focus area draws its strength from interdisciplinary collaboration: for example, political and administrative scientists work together with sociologists, legal scholars, and economists to investigate the organizational changes in Western European governments or the conditions and often unexpected effects of bureaucracy reduction or privatization. One current topic is how time is a factor in the process of European integration. As part of a new joint project within the Excellence Initiative "Cutting-Edge Research and Innovation in the New Länder," political scientists have been addressing the administrative and organizational preconditions of an effective climate policy.
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 OECD, or at the World Bank. A recent reputation study by the German Association for Political Science 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 Development considers the Master's and Ph.D. programs offered here to be among the very best in Europe. The joint degree programs with the Ecole Nationale d'Administration in Paris, with the Berlin universities, and with the Hertie School of Governance enjoy an excellent international reputation.
"In our area of research, the University of Potsdamis already
currently considered one of the most interesting places for undergraduate
and graduate study in Europe. And we have only just begun!"
Prof. Dr. Werner Jann,
Spokesperson for the Focus Area
Public Policy and Management
Photo: K. Fritze
