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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science

@mpips.bsky.social
2.7K followers 879 following 110 posts

The Max Planck Institute for Political & Social Science examines urgent questions of conflict, inequality, democratic erosion & societal transformation – combining political science & sociology in an interdisciplinary framework. ips.mpg.de

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Margherita Cusmano @margheritacusmano.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
When you ask people about economic inequality, what crosses their minds? In a new open-access paper in Sociology, I asked 47 participants this question. Almost no one talked about money alone. Instead, they pointed to gender, race, visa status, language, and disability. 🧵👇
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Reposted by The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science
Thomas Gerdes @thomasgerdes.de · 23/09/2026
A new edition of the memorial book "Die jüdischen Bürgerinnen und Bürger im Kreis Göttingen 1933–1945" ("The Jewish Citizens of the Göttingen District 1933–1945") tells the stories of almost 970 people persecuted under National Socialism.
A hardcover book stands upright against a white textured wall, with an open book lying in front of it. The dark grey cover reads in yellow: "Die jüdischen Bürgerinnen und Bürger im Kreis Göttingen 1933–1945", with the subtitle "Göttingen · Hann. Münden · Duderstadt · Osterode am Harz" and "Ein Gedenkbuch" in white. Below the title is a torn yellow Star of David with a stitched outline, overlaid by hand-drawn black star outlines. The pages of the open book are slightly out of focus, filled with dense text and a small black-and-white portrait photo of a man.
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Steffen Mau @steffenmau.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Aujourd’hui, une grande interview dans Le Monde www.lemonde.fr/idees/articl...
lemonde.fr
Steffen Mau, sociologue : « En Allemagne, ce qui a été conçu pour protéger la démocratie alimente aujourd’hui l’extrémisme »
Le chercheur à l’Institut Max-Planck des sciences politiques et sociales, en Allemagne, évoque, dans un entretien au « Monde », la résonance de la question de la mémoire et de l’identité est-allemande...
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Our Director @steffenmau.bsky.social is a guest on the @zeit.de podcast "Nur eine Frage" (Just 1 Question): "Is the world becoming more conservative?". His answer touches on voting behaviour vs values, polarisation driven from above & the gap b/w public discourse & people's more liberal attitudes.
zeit.de
»Nur eine Frage«: Wird die Welt konservativer, Steffen Mau?
Rechte Parteien werden weltweit immer stärker. Trotzdem sind die Gesellschaften liberaler, als der öffentliche Diskurs es vermuten lässt, sagt Soziologe Steffen Mau.
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Max-Planck-Gesellschaft @maxplanck.de · 04/09/2026
Ist die deutsche Einheit gelungen? Steffen Mau erklärt in diesem Podcast, was man bei der #Wiedervereinigung hätte besser machen können und warum der Osten politisch so anders tickt. 🎧 www.zeit.de/gesellschaft... @zeit.de @steffenmau.bsky.social
zeit.de
Interviewpodcast »Nur eine Frage«: Ist die deutsche Einheit gelungen, Steffen Mau?
Der Soziologe Steffen Mau erklärt, was man bei der Wiedervereinigung hätte besser machen können und warum der Osten politisch so anders tickt.
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Steffen Mau @steffenmau.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Tomorrow in Vienna events.ceu.edu/2026-09-03/s... @mpips.bsky.social
events.ceu.edu
Societies of Change, Societies of Crisis? On the Contestations of the Liberal Model
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Thomas Lux @thomaslux.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Sociology in the tradition of Karl Mannheim says that what you live through in your impressionable years tends to leave a lasting imprint. But which events do people themselves count as formative for their lives? Our data visualization in Socius answers this. 1/6 journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
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Steffen Mau @steffenmau.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Am 5. September diskutieren wir in Demmin @penberlin.de
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Steffen Mau @steffenmau.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
In dem Interview steht vieles drin, das ich teile, aber auch vieles, was mehr Meinen ist als Wissen, mehr Wertung als Befund, nach Forschungslage sogar schlichtweg falsch. Unklar, warum er interviewt wurde. Für DDR-, Transformations- oder Ostdeutschlandforschung ist er nicht bekannt.
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Steffen Mau @steffenmau.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Heute in der Frankfurter Allgemeinen Sonntagszeitung www.faz.net/aktuell/feui...
faz.net
Der Soziologe Steffen Mau zur Ost-West-Debatte
Beutet der Osten den Westen aus? Viele Milliarden Aufbauhilfen und nichts als Undank? Nein, sagt der Soziologe Steffen Mau. Wer den Osten als undankbares Kind behandelt und nach Taschengeldentzug ruft...
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Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk @ilkokowalczuk.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
"Wir können uns eine 'Lega West' genauso wenig leisten wie eine Ostdeutschtümelei": Gewohnt ruhig, auf den Punkt und dabei ausgewogen positioniert sich Steffen Mau in der aktuellen Ost-West-Finanz-Debatte. Was Mau schreibt, sollte allen - ALLEN - Vernünftigen einleuchten www.faz.net/aktuell/feui...
faz.net
Der Soziologe Steffen Mau zur Ost-West-Debatte
Beutet der Osten den Westen aus? Viele Milliarden Aufbauhilfen und nichts als Undank? Nein, sagt der Soziologe Steffen Mau. Wer den Osten als undankbares Kind behandelt und nach Taschengeldentzug ruft...
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Reposted by The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft @maxplanck.de · 09/07/2026
Rechtsextreme oder rechtspopulistische #Parteien im Aufwind: Was lässt sich dagegen tun? Hedwig Richter von der Universität der Bundeswehr München und Steffen Mau vom Max-Planck-Institut für Politik- und Sozialwissenschaft in Göttingen blicken auf #Deutschland und fragen sich: Wo stehen wir?
youtube.com
Demokratie-Check: Wo stehen wir?
YouTube video by MaxPlanckSociety
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Many assume that migrants are drawn to Germany by its welfare benefits. A new open access study by our postdoc @margheritacusmano.bsky.social complicates that. Many valued the safety net most for simply being there, even those who'll likely never need it. Not just the good life, but the good society
tandfonline.com
Germany as a ‘social state’: post-migration geographical imaginaries as visions of the good society
Migration research increasingly examines geographical imaginaries but typically treats them as pre-migration constructs that collide with post-migration realities and subsequently dissolve. This ar...
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
"Dann wird Wohlstand vielleicht wichtiger als Freiheit" In this interview @patrick-bernau.de @faznet.bsky.social, sociologist @steffenmau.bsky.social discusses how economic expectations, perceptions of fairness, & confidence in the future shape political attitudes & democratic resilience
faz.net
Soziologe Steffen Mau: „Dann wird Wohlstand vielleicht wichtiger als Freiheit“
Der Soziologe Steffen Mau analysiert, was der Aufstieg der AfD mit dem Geld zu tun hat – und wie Reformen aussehen können, die im Land Zustimmung finden.
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
A great success: our first Gegenwartslese! A new format at the MPIPS bringing together social science, literature & the public. @steffenmau.bsky.social opened, followed by @mafaalani.bsky.social & Julia Friedrichs. Thanks to all our guests, next on 24.06.26. Supported by @kohli-sociology.bsky.social
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MPI for Multidisciplinary Sciences @mpi-nat.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
A pleasure to welcome the Max Planck Funding Foundation to Göttingen’s MPIs. Thank you for your generous support of basic research and for taking the time to engage with our scientists and their work! 🤝🔬 @mpips.bsky.social, @mpsgoettingen.bsky.social, MPI for Dynamics and Self-Organization
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Our postdoc @margheritacusmano.bsky.social has been shortlisted for the Deutscher Studienpreis 2026 (Körber-Stiftung) - 30 nominees from 859 submissions. Her dissertation, "The German Dream: Economic Inequality through the Eyes of Migrants," asks how migrants perceive inequality & fairness.
koerber-stiftung.de
30 Promovierte für den Deutschen Studienpreis 2026 nominiert
Jury wählt Shortlist aus 859 Einreichungen aus
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Thomas Lux @thomaslux.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Very happy to see our book "Trigger Points" finally out in English, and fully open access! Hopefully a useful resource for anyone working on polarization, class, inequality, migration, diversity, and climate change.
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Steffen Mau @steffenmau.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
„Trigger Points“ - open access!
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Why do our societies seem so deeply divided when most citizens actually occupy a broad political middle ground? @steffenmau.bsky.social, @thomaslux.bsky.social & @lwestheuser.bsky.social unpack this paradox in Trigger Points, pub. today @brisunipress.bsky.social, Foreward @mikesavagelse.bsky.social
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk
Trigger Points
Trigger Points - Inequality and Political Polarization in Contemporary Society; Available open access digitally under CC-BY-NC-ND licence. Is society really polarized? This book explores key conflicts...
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Is Germany's middle class eroding? In this piece, 3 experts give a differentiated answer, among them our director @steffenmau.bsky.social. He warns that faith in progress has faded: under 10% think the next generation will fare better. He points to 'clear fault lines' that could deepen polarization
focus.de
Erosion der Mitte: Experten über Wege aus der Verunsicherung
Viele Deutsche fürchten sozialen Abstieg und Spaltung. Forscher erklären die Ursachen – und zeigen, wie Politik und Bürger gegensteuern können.
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
2026 DIE ZEIT No. 24 - Feuilleton “How can the AfD be stopped?” DIE ZEIT invited leading voices from art, literature, and science to reflect on one of the defining political questions of our time. Our Director, @steffenmau.bsky.social Mau, is among the contributors featured.
zeit.de
AfD: Wie lässt sich die AfD stoppen?
Wir haben diese Frage klugen Menschen aus Kunst, Literatur und Wissenschaft gestellt. Dies sind ihre Antworten – in 15 Texten und zwei Bildern
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
We launched our Open Lectures Series 2026 with a fascinating talk by John Levi Martin (U Chicago, editor of AJS), on the Weimar Reichstag – revealing a 2D political field that left–right alone can't capture. Based on work with Benjamin Rohr (Uni Mannheim) #OpenLectures2026 #Sociology #WeimarRepublic
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Our Open Lectures Series 2026 opens tomorrow with John Levi Martin (University of Chicago): "Taking a Position in the Political Field: Voting, Speeches and Interactions in the Weimar Reichstag, 1920–1932". Hosted by our ICT Dept @steffenmau.bsky.social & Institute of Sociology @uni-goettingen.de
ips.mpg.de
Taking a Position in the Political Field: Voting, Speeches and Interactions in the German Weimar Reichstag, 1920-1932 (Benjamin Rohr, co-author)
Political analysts have long used spatial representa tions as a substrate for behavioral models, especially for legislators’ voting choices. Most commonly, we think in terms of a single-dimension cont...
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
We are happy to share this milestone for evidence-based migration research. Congratulations to the IPM team - and especially to our Managing Director Steven Vertovec, President of the IPM, on the official launch at the Second International Migration Review Forum at the @unitednations1945.bsky.social
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Reviewed @faznet.bsky.social: a new article by @thomaslux.bsky.social, @steffenmau.bsky.social & @lwestheuser.bsky.social. Building on their book Triggerpunkte which examined what makes society flare up, this article asks: is Germany really politically divided along different ways of life?
faz.net
Neue Studie hinterfragt die Zweiteilung der Gesellschaft
Deutschland zerfällt nicht in zwei Lager, sondern in neun. Eine neue Studie zeigt komplexe Konfliktlinien und hinterfragt die Spaltungsthese.
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Steffen Mau @steffenmau.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Artikel mit @julianheide.bsky.social und @thomaslux.bsky.social (1) Ostdeutsche gelten als besonders unzufrieden mit der Demokratie, migrationsfeindlich, rechtspopulistisch. Oft werden diese Orientierungen durch Sozialisationseffekte des DDR-Systems erklärt www.degruyterbrill.com/de/document/...
degruyterbrill.com
Der lange Schatten der DDR? Zum Zusammenhang von ehemaliger Systemnähe und aktuellen politischen Orientierungen von Ostdeutschen
Zusammenfassung Ostdeutsche gelten als besonders unzufrieden mit der Demokratie, migrationsfeindlich und dem Rechtspopulismus zugeneigt. Oft werden diese Orientierungen durch Sozialisationseffekte des...
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
We’re hiring. @Dr. Hania Sobhy’s group “Teachers, Inequality and Collective Action” (TICA) is recruiting a Researcher, Postdoc & Doctoral Researcher. Focus: teachers, inequality & collective action, anchored in MENA. Part of EduTrack. Deadlines 31 May / 6 June. @populationeu.bsky.social
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Max Planck Institute for the History of Science @mpiwg.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
@populationeu.bsky.social @mpips.bsky.social @mpidr.bsky.social
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
What happens to a democracy when people stop caring? Michel Friedman speaks with @steffenmau.bsky.social & @prienkarin.bsky.social about indifference, inequality & why crises often feel distant - until they don’t. A talk on today’s most pressing political questions. May 18 @blnensemble.bsky.social
berliner-ensemble.de
Friedman im Gespräch: Gleichgültigkeit | berliner-ensemble
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Does noticing migration in your neighborhood mean you view it negatively? Not necessarily - a new paper by our postdoc @margheritacusmano.bsky.social with Sören Petermann, Karen Schönwälder, & Eloisa Harris, from our predecessor institute, the MPI-MMG, finds the link to be weaker than often assumed
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
New in Social Justice Research from our postdoc @margheritacusmano.bsky.social: Research on distributive justice has long focused on class, gender, & education - but largely overlooked migration. This new paper brings migration trajectories into the picture & asks how they shape justice attitudes.
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
At @taz.de lab 2026, our director @steffenmau.bsky.social Mau joined sociologist @nilskumkar.bsky.social for a discussion moderated by @janfeddersen.bsky.social on polarization & public discourse. Conflict is amplified by media logic, while broad areas of agreement go largely unnoticed.
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Congratulations on your 70th anniversary! We’re delighted that our Director, @steffenmau.bsky.social, is among a stellar line-up of new editors.
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Population Europe @populationeu.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Technological and demographic change create needs for #education systems to adapt. @maxplanck.de launches the project "EduTrack" for science-based policy. We are thrilled to be working with @mpidr.bsky.social, @mpiwg.bsky.social and @mpips.bsky.social. population-europe.eu/network/news...
Lime green and azure, the EduTrack logo is mad of bold letters and waves indicating a change of path. Max Planck emblem is underneath
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Very timely & important publication: "Why do political debates escalate? Trigger Points and the Moral Dynamics of 'Hot Politics'" @bjsociology.bsky.social by @lwestheuser.bsky.social, @thomaslux.bsky.social & our Director @steffenmau.bsky.social. Open Access. Details below.
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Steffen Mau @steffenmau.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Wir machen am 26. Juni eine öffentliche Veranstaltung und bringen die Sozialwissenschaften ins Gespräch; im Garten unseres Max-Planck-Instituts für Politik- und Sozialwissenschaft in Göttingen @mpips.bsky.social
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
A new space for conversation: Gegenwartslese brings together social science, literature & the public. Join us on June 26 in Göttingen: with @steffenmau.bsky.social, @mafaalani.bsky.social & Julia Friedrichs. Register in advance, details below in the flyer. Supported by @kohli-sociology.bsky.social
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Great kick-off meeting for the Department of Inequality, Transformation & Conflict - an ambitious research agenda led by @steffenmau.bsky.social focused around 4 key themes: Social Change & Transformation, Inequality & Social Structure, Social & Political Conflict &Migration & Borders www.ips.mpg.de
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Congratulations to our Director @steffenmau.bsky.social on receiving the In_equality Research Award 2026! The Cluster of Excellence “The Politics of Inequality” at the @uni-konstanz.de has awarded him the prize in recognition of his outstanding academic achievements & their societal relevance.
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Congratulations to our Director @steffenmau.bsky.social on receiving the In_equality Research Award 2026! The Cluster of Excellence “The Politics of Inequality” at the @uni-konstanz.de has awarded him the prize in recognition of his outstanding academic achievements & their societal relevance.
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Welcome to the Institute, Thomas! We're delighted to have you joining the Department of #Inequality, #Transformation & #Conflict as a Senior Researcher. Looking forward to the work ahead together.
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Max-Planck-Gesellschaft @maxplanck.de · 24/03/2026
At its most recent meeting, the Senate of the Max Planck Society decided to rename the “Max Planck Institute for the Study of Multi-Religious and Multi-Ethnic Societies” in Göttingen as the “Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Sciences” as part of a scientific reorientation.
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Max-Planck-Gesellschaft @maxplanck.de · 24/03/2026
A new beginning in Göttingen 👋🤗 The #MaxPlanckInstitute for Political and Social Sciences launches under Ursula Daxecker & Steffen Mau addressing social & political challenges, including democratic backsliding, social inequality & conflict www.ips.mpg.de @steffenmau.bsky.social
The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Sciences in Göttingen is now beginning its work. Political scientist Ursula Daxecker - left - and sociologist Steffen Mau - right - have been appointed to the MPI for Political and Social Sciences in Göttingen.
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
We’re hiring! The MPI for Political & Social Science in Göttingen is hiring a Director’s Assistant (m/f/d) for the Dept. of Political Institutions & Conflict. Full-time, start ASAP. Support Ursula Daxecker with events, travel, communication & editorial tasks. www.ips.mpg.de/13135/stelle...
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
We’re hiring! The MPI for Political & Social Science is hiring a Secretary for the Dept. of Inequality, Transformation & Conflict. Full-time, start ASAP. Support @steffenmau.bsky.social's Department in all organizational & administrative matters. Find out more: www.ips.mpg.de/13135/stelle...
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
We are hiring! The Department of Inequality, Transformation and Conflict under @steffenmau.bsky.social is looking for Postdoctoral & Doctoral Researchers (m/f/d). Find out more & apply via www.ips.mpg.de #MaxPlanck #Postdoc #PhD #Sociology #SocialScience #PoliticalScience #Inequality #Conflict
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Linus Westheuser @lwestheuser.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
It's official! The name of the new Institute has been confirmed and we also have a new website, including short sketches of our departments and research areas, as well as job openings for doc and postdoc jobs in our team: www.ips.mpg.de
ips.mpg.de
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The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science @mpips.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Exciting news: our transformation is complete! The Max Planck Institute for Political & Social Science in Göttingen launches under Ursula Daxecker & @steffenmau.bsky.social, addressing pressing social & political challenges, including democratic backsliding, social inequality, migration & conflict.
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