Two new members for the Hamburg Research AcademyIFSH and HIS join the cooperation as associated research institutions

27 November 2025

Photo: HRA

The Hamburg Research Academy continues to grow and is pleased to welcome two new associate members: the Institute for Peace and Security Research (IFSH) and the Hamburg Institute for Social Research (HIS). This expansion reinforces the HRA's position as an attractive network for early-career researchers in Hamburg who want to network across disciplines and further their qualifications.

New partners strengthen the Hamburg network

Both institutes conduct interdisciplinary research and enrich Hamburg's diverse research environment with their expertise in the fields of peace and security research as well as social sciences. Around 40 postdocs and doctoral students from both partners will now additionally benefit from the HRA's offers.

“We expect interesting and research-oriented training opportunities that will open up new perspectives for our researchers. The events offered by the HRA will certainly help researchers from different areas and disciplines to network more closely with each other across universities, and thus supporting each other – an important point for the visibility of Hamburg as a center of science and research.” Sabrina Broocks, Administrative Director, HIS

About the new members

The IFSH deals with global issues of peace, security, and international order. It combines social sciences and natural sciences to research the social conditions for peace and security. The institute aims to develop new perspectives through scientific cooperation and promote dialogue between different disciplines.

The HIS is an independent private research institute where social scientists from various disciplines examine socio-political issues such as violence, democracy, and capitalism. It places particular emphasis on international comparisons and current social developments.

The existing network of the Hamburg Research Academy

The HRA is a vibrant community that connects all nine Hamburg universities with doctoral programs as well as various non-university research institutions. Its founding members include the University of Hamburg, HAW Hamburg, TU Hamburg, HafenCity University, Helmut Schmidt University – Universität der Bundeswehr Hamburg, as well as the University of Music and Theater HfMT, the University of Fine Arts HfBK, Bucerius Law School, and Kühne Logistics University.

In addition, three non-university research institutions are already part of the network: the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), the Leibniz Institute for Media Research I Hans Bredow Institute (HBI), and the Leibniz Institute for Virology (LIV). Together, we promote exchange, cooperation, and visibility within Hamburg's research landscape.

The Hamburg Research Academy intends to continue growing in the future. The goal is to attract additional scientific institutions to the network in order to expand exchange and, in the long term, support all doctoral students and postdocs throughout the Hanseatic city with our offerings. In this way, the HRA makes an important contribution to Hamburg's reputation as an excellent location for research.