Hesse is investing millions for the future of democracy research!

Hesse is investing millions for the future of democracy research!

On October 2, 2025, Hesse officially presented the new research network “DemoReg”, which deals with the challenges of democracy today. With an investment of around 3.1 million euros, the Hessian Ministry of Science and Art (HMWK) is supporting a comprehensive research agenda by the end of 2028 that is intended to create future-oriented structures for democracy research in Hesse. This initiative falls under the program “Strengthening Democracy Research in Hesse” and the “Immediate Program 11+1” of the Hessian state government. The association began its work in September 2023 and is a significant step towards securing democratic values ​​in the region.

The head of the research network is Prof. Dr. Ursula Birsl from the Philipps University of Marburg, who emphasizes that the project will analyze the threats to consolidated democracies. An interdisciplinary team of 35 scientists will work on the project. The aim is to examine both the challenges and possible counter-strategies to strengthen democracy research. Science Minister Timon Gremmels emphasizes that a fact-based discussion of these issues is of the utmost importance.

Interdisciplinary collaboration for democracy

“DemoReg” brings together the most renowned partner institutions, including the Philipps University of Marburg, the Goethe University Frankfurt, the University of Kassel and the Technical University of Darmstadt. Several universities and research institutes, such as the Institute for Social Research Frankfurt am Main and the Sigmund Freud Institute Frankfurt, are also involved. Prof. Dr. Thomas Nauss, President of Philipps University, is optimistic about the establishment of a Hesse-wide center for democracy research that will pool expert knowledge.

The research team will also plan local studies and discussions in cities and towns to share scientific findings directly with the population. A concept in collaboration with the “House of Democracy” in Frankfurt’s Paulskirche is also being prepared. These initiatives aim to disseminate knowledge about the challenges of democracy in the modern world and integrate it into practical discussions.

Scientific basis for democratic values

The topics and questions pursued within democracy research are complex and require a more in-depth analysis of social upheavals. This also has implications for political rule and the way identities are shaped in modern societies. The context of the research is expanded by the research program of the Democracy Research Department at the Forum Internationale Wissenschaft at the University of Bonn, which runs from 2020 to 2026. It examines the political systems in an increasingly functionally differentiated global society and addresses aspects such as inclusion and exclusion as well as the bipolarity between democracy and authoritarianism.

Scientists like Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff from Goethe University underline the importance of these analyzes in order to better understand the changing conditions in society. Central research questions include the construction of political communities, differentiations within political systems and the development of political identities.

The results of this research should contribute to understanding and overcoming challenges at the policy level. On October 3, 2025, the research network will be officially presented as part of the Day of German Unity in Berlin, which further increases the relevance of the topic at the national level.