Two Distinct, yet Linked Pillars

BAGSS builds on two well-established fields of Social Science research at the University of Bamberg: Education, personal development, and learning - conditions, processes, and consequences for families and labor markets (Pillar 1) and Governance and institutional change, and civic involvement in a transnational context (Pillar 2). While each of these Pillars has its own substantive focus, they are also conceived of as being interlinked by overlapping memberships of teaching faculty, a number of cross-cutting research projects, and a common approach of actor-centered theories of institutional change combined with a strong tradition of methodologically rigorous, empirical research.

 

Membership and Management

The BAGSS membership consists of all eligible professors, post-doctoral fellows, and doctoral students. The rights and duties of members are defined in a code of practice approved by the university. The general meeting is the School highest decision-making body. Day-to-day management of the School is the duty of its speakers, the deputy speakers, the coordinators of each thematic Pillar, and the BAGSS Executive Committee. The School's program is embedded in the University's general quality management procedures and regularly evaluated by an external advisory board.

Integration of Doctoral Students

BAGSS aims at creating a strong internal identity characterized by a strong commitment to academic excellence and equality of opportunity. The active participation of its doctoral student members (for example, in the School's general meetings) is an essential part of this process. PhD candidates are also involved in BAGSS' continuous development through their representation in the Executive Committee. Regular student evaluations of the program will be integrated into the school's ongoing internal quality management. BAGSS seeks to further increase identification with the School by encouraging students to engage in activities beyond their own PhD work in the university, the scholarly community at large as well as the local community.