History of the ZeS in the years 1985-1995

1985 - 1989
1990 - 1995

1985 - 1989

1985

Social Policy Research Discussion Group
Provisional protocol by the Social Policy Research Discussion Group on June 29, 1985 of the discussion on the establishment of a centre for interdisciplinary social policy research.

1987

Aid granting decision of the VW (Volkswagen) Foundation from 17.08.1987First Volkswagen Foundation aid granting decision
Start-up funding by the Volkswagen Foundation for five years (decision announced August 17, 1987) as well as additional financial support by the State of Bremen (Senator for Science and Research; Senator for Social Affairs). This support has facilitated the setting up of the research center in social policy at the University of Bremen.

Government Declaration: "No" to neglecting humanities
The Federal State of Bremen took this stance in its Future - Government Declaration of 1987-1991 of the Senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen delivered by Mayor Klaus Wedemeier, President of the Senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, before the Bremen City Council on November 12, 1987. Excerpts from the Government Declaration: We insist that (...) humanities and social sciences maintain particular areas deserving special attention. This is for example shown by the Centre for Social Policy currently under construction (…). (p. 37) A Centre for Social Policy at the University will explore the consequences of structural change and future labour market developments while developing concepts for preventive social and health policy. (p. 57)
Source: Government Declaration 1987-1991. Senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, 12.11.1987

1988

Academic Senate Resolution
In October 1988, the Academic Senate at the University of Bremen decided to establish the Centre for Social Policy Research (ZeS) as a social science research institute at the university.

Founding spokesperson
From 1988 to 1989 Claus Offe assumed the office of spokesperson at the Centre for Social Policy Research.

1989

Start of work as a social science research institute
ZeS was originally made up of four departments starting in the summer semester of 1989:

  • Theory and Constitution of the Welfare State
    Prof. Dr. Claus Offe (until 1995) and Prof. Dr. Ulrich K. Preuss (until 1992)

  • Institutions and History of the Welfare State
    Prof. Dr. Hans-Gerd Haupt (until 1988/89) and Prof. Dr. Stephan Leibfried (until 2014)

  • Economics Department
    Prof. Dr. Winfried Schmähl (until 2007)

  • Health Policy, Occupational Health and Social Medicine
    Prof. Dr. Rainer Müller (until 2007)

New spokesperson at ZeS
From 1989 (until 1991) Winfried Schmähl assumed the office of spokesperson from Claus Offe at the Centre for Social Policy Research.