NCCR Democracy
2005 series
Home institution: University of Zurich
The National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) "Democracy – Challenges to Democracy in the 21st Century" explores how democracy develops in the current conditions created by globalisation and mediatisation.
On the one hand, decision structures at nation-state level are being increasingly called into question in the face of growing European integration and globalisation, on the other, the media exercise a growing influence on politics and public debates that are important aspects of democracies. The NCCR "Democracy" achieves a combination of political, journalism and communication sciences that is unique in Europe. It aims to develop proposals for improving political decision-making processes, political education and the quality of media reporting. The NCCR launched the Centre for Democracy in Aarau.
Further information on the NCCR:
Contact details
NCCR Management
NCCR Director
Prof. Daniel Kübler
NCCR Democracy
Universität Zürich
Affolternstrasse 56
CH-8050 Zürich
Tel. +41 (0) 44 634 38 86
E-Mail daniel.kuebler@ipz.uzh.chManagement / Koordination
Yvonne Rosteck
NCCR Democracy
Universität Zürich
Affolternstrasse 56
CH-8050 Zürich
Tel. +41 (0) 44 634 52 02
E‐Mail rosteck@nccr-democracy.uzh.chFunding
NCCRs are financed through grants awarded by the SNSF, but also from other sources. The home institution involved in the NCCR also contributes a substantial amount of money. The available overall budget of the NCCR is further increased by monetary contributions from the project participants and third-party funds, which are generally invested by industrial companies.
The SNSF is financing the NCCR Democracy in its third funding period, i.e. over the maximum permissible running time of twelve years.
Financing 2005 – 2017 (Swiss Francs)
Funding source
2005-2008
2009-2012
2013-2017
SNSF grant
7'100'000
7’500’000
5'250'000
Funds of Zurich University
3’279’922
3’624’131
2’991’311
Group funds of the project participants
4’143’681
5’923’382
3’093’876
External funds
974’579
264’684
523’162
Total
15’498’183
17’312’196
11’858’349
Evaluation / Review Panel
For each NCCR, the SNSF appoints a Review Panel composed of renowned experts whose task it is to evaluate scientific quality and the progress made in NCCR projects. The Review Panel of the NCCR Democracy consists of the following experts:
Contact person at the SNSF:
Thomas Griessen
NCCR Team
Swiss National Science Foundation
Wildhainweg 3
CH-3001 Bern
+41 (0) 31 308 23 51
Email thomas.griessen@snf.chResearch structures
National Centres of Competence in Research leave their mark on the research landscape well beyond the SNSF funding period. They help to define key topics and sustainably change Swiss research structures. Thus NCCRs can lead to the creation of new professorships and courses of study as well as new infrastructures or platforms at the universities involved.
NCCRs operate as a network in which a large number of scientific partners are active. Working within these networks has borne fruit in the form of new research approaches and excellent scientific contributions.
Structures created by this NCCR until now:
Contributions to society and the economy
The National Centres of Competence in Research not only engage in cutting-edge research, they also play an important role in transferring knowledge and new technologies to the economy and to society at large. They lead to the formation of start-ups, and the new insights have the potential to awaken the interest of politicians, globally active companies and the public at large.
Communication and knowledge transfer of the NCCR Democracy:
Promotion of academic careers and equal opportunities
The National Centres of Competence in Research consciously promote promising young researchers and are committed to equal opportunities for men and women in research.
Measures taken by the NCCR Democracy to promote young researchers and gender equality.