Our research activities follow the program of an explanatory and sound empirical sociology, primarily - but not exclusively - based on quantitative research. The conceptualization and organization of primary surveys (see Research Projects) as well as profound secondary analyses (especially from the German Microcensus, the German Socio-Economic Panel SOEP, the CILS4EU survey, the German General Social Survey ALLBUS, and the Generations and Gender Survey) form the basis for our research. We receive finanical support from DFG/Norface, Volkswagenstiftung, Stiftung Mercator, and Baden-Württemberg Stiftung.