In research, the Research Group includes a large number of international interdisciplinary consortia and single projects financed by diverse third-part funds such as the German Research Found (DFG), Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), EU Funds, German Foreign Ministry, VolkswagenStiftung, Compagnia die San Palolo, Riksbankens Jubileumsfond and Regional Government of Hesse.

It focuses among others on governance of the EU multi-level system, energy- and climate policy (at European, national, regional and local level), participatory governance, external EU foreign policy, EU perceptions, EU as a mediator in conflict, emergency governance in cities, critical infrastructure, EU external democracy promotion and interest intermediation.

In addition the Research Group consults for various Institutions such as UNDP, the EU, national and local ministries as well as cities.

Find out more about the current research projects at the research group

Teaching within the Research Group encompasses lectures and seminars on the topics of comparative politics and governance in the EU multilevel system in various policy fields. Comparative politics covers old and new member states of the EU and beyond especially the new neighbourhood of the EU.

The Research Groups puts special emphasis on innovative teaching and practical relevance of its teaching, such as simulations, empirical research in the field, guest lectures in seminars, excursions to institutions such as the EU or academic conferences.

The Research Group was awarded ones with the TU Athene Award for excellent teaching as well as twice with the Faculty Athene Award for excellent teaching.