Bonn sets a new example: Founding of the Institute for Sociology!

Bonn sets a new example: Founding of the Institute for Sociology!

On October 8, 2025, the ceremonial founding of a new Institute for Sociology took place at the University of Bonn. Prof. Dr. David Kaldewey led the event, which was attended by high-profile guests, including the Vice Rector for International Affairs, Prof. Dr. Birgit Ulrike Münch, and the dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Prof. Dr. Stephan Conermann. In their speeches, those present emphasized the importance of sociology for the future of the university and its social relevance.

A special focus of the ceremony was the celebratory lecture by Prof. Clemens Albrecht, who also gave his farewell lecture. He outlined the history of Bonn sociology and discussed its “beginning and legacy”. His remarks were given by Prof. Dr. Monika Wohlrab-Sahr added, who explained the relevance of sociology for the future of the university. Prof. Dr. Takemitsu Morikawa from Keio University focused on the international perspective of Bonn sociology.

Realignment and research priorities

The founding of the Institute for Sociology marks a significant step in the redesign of the professional structures at the University of Bonn. In the next year and a half, three professorships will be filled, covering the areas of general sociology, methods of empirical social research and didactics of the social sciences. The university is thus pursuing a clear thematic and personnel realignment, which also includes networking with transdisciplinary research areas and clusters of excellence.

Bonn sociology can look back on a tradition going back over 100 years. It all started in 1926 with Joseph Schumpeter, whose teaching work laid the foundations for sociology at this institution. Later, in 1974, a seminar for sociology was set up under the direction of Gottfried Eisermann, which was significantly influenced by personalities such as Martinus Emge and Justin Stagl. In 2006, the Seminar for Sociology and the Seminar for Political Science merged to form the Institute for Political Science and Sociology (IPWS). From April 1, 2025, the IPWS will be dissolved and the institution will enter a new era.

Courses of study and career prospects

As part of the restructuring, the University of Bonn will also further develop its course offerings in the field of sociology. The master's degree program in “Sociology” is specifically aimed at professional fields and is supplemented by interdisciplinary modules. Graduates are prepared for a variety of professional challenges that manifest themselves in various areas.

Possible career fields include:

• Journalismus
• Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
• Medien-/Kommunikationsbranche
• Behörden und öffentliche Verwaltung
• Politikberatung
• Internationale Organisationen
• Forschung und Lehre an Hochschulen

Through internships and project work, the course not only offers in-depth training in sociological theory and empirical research methodology, but also career-oriented skills. Graduates can therefore operate successfully both nationally and internationally in various sectors.

In this context, the research activities of the new institute also show clear priorities: social inequality, flight and migration, as well as democratic and authoritarian systems are central topics that will shape sociology in Bonn in the future. This focus could help strengthen the role of science in social discourse.

The decision to found the new institute is the result of a discussion process lasting several years and aims to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and create clear organizational foundations. Prof. Dr. Stephan Conermann emphasizes that this redesign benefits students by benefiting from a clear focus on their disciplines and access to interdisciplinary fields.

By founding the Institute of Sociology, the University of Bonn is not only living up to its academic responsibility, but is also demonstrating its commitment to supporting students and strengthening their research aspirations. These developments are promising and could have far-reaching positive impacts on the academic landscape and society as a whole. Further information about the founding of the new institute can be found on the website University of Bonn, while that To know the effects are examined in more detail. Those interested can find a detailed overview of the study options on the page for Courses A-Z.