Assistant Professorship Political Science Research Methods
Research methods are the tools of political science for answering empirical questions in all subfields of the discipline. In teaching, the assistant professorship introduces students to quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. In research, the focus is on comparative research on political attitudes and behavior. Current research topics include political participation, youth and politics, direct democracy, and election forecasting. Methodologically, the application of experimental and quasi-experimental approaches in individual and aggregate data analysis plays a prominent role. Furthermore, a further methodological focus lies on primary data collection through population surveys.
News from Science, Media & the Public
New Event: Guest lecture on CorrelAid e.V.: Zoé Wolter is the managing director of CorrelAid e.V. She studied “Politics and Administration” and “Social and Economic Data Science” in Konstanz and Gothenburg. More information at correlaid.org. On January 28, 2026 from 1:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. online via BBB (no registration required).
New publication: "Growing Up Far Right? Youth Support for the AfD in Eastern Germany" (Timon Scheuer co-authored with Anna-Sophie Heinze, Trier University) has been published in German Politics.
New publication: "Citizen forecasting in a mixed electoral system: The 2021 German federal election as a test case" (Arndt Leininger co-authored with Andreas E. Murr, University of Warwick, Lukas Stötzer, University Witten/Herdecke and Mark A. Kayser, Hertie School Berlin) has been published in International Journal of Forecasting.
New publication: "Does political violence undermine descriptive representation? The case of women in politics" (Thomas Tichelbaecker co-authored with Jeyhun Alizade, WZB Berlin, Fabio Ellger, WZB Berlin and Marius Grünewald, European University Insitutue) has been published in European Journal of Political Research and "‘Seen one, seen ‘em all’: political outgroup homogeneity and negative affect" (Felix Grünewald) has been published in West European Politics.
Latest from the media: Jun.-Prof. Arndt Leininger was a guest on MDR and NDR and part of a CORRECTIV investigation. In the programme MDR aktuell live on the topic ‘No right to vote at 16 - Doesn't politics care about you?’ (minutes 13:38 to 23:38), he provided insights into the latest scientific findings on voting age and political maturity. In the NDR programme Have your say! Germany discusses on the topic 'Emotion or reason - how do you make your voting decision?' he gave input on political decision-making. In addition, Jun.-Prof. Leininger - together with other experts - explained in a background research by CORRECTIV why election surveys by the ‘Democracy Institute’ are not legitimate.
