History of the Institute

The initial plan to found the Institute was the outcome of many years of preparatory work by the individual professors and academic assistants involved. These preparations particularly involved work on right-wing extremism, youth violence, and violent crime. The second stage was the setting up of an »Interdisciplinary Research Group on Multiethnic Conflicts« to coordinate these activities. The third step was the draft plan for an institute that was circulated to all faculties by the then rector of the university, Helmut Skowronek, requesting their participation. Professors from the faculties of education, psychology, sociology all joined the project.

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on Conflict and Violence (IKG) was founded at a meeting of the Senate of the University of Bielefeld on December 18, 1996. It was duly constituted by ballot and the subsequent formation of the Committee in January 1997.

The Institute was opened officially on April 16, 1997, by the Minister of Science and Research for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Anke Brunn, during a symposium at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research (Zentrum für interdisziplinäre Forschung, ZiF) on »Societal Trends, Scientific Responsibility, and Violence«. After a welcoming speech by the Rector of the University of Bielefeld, Gert Rickheit, Minister Brunn presented a paper on »Funding Research in the Social Sciences in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia«. Papers on symposium topics were given by the president of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Wolfgang Frühwald, (entitled »Science and Society«) and the President of the Social Science Research Center Berlin (Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung, WZB), Friedhelm Neidhardt, (entitled »Violence, the Violence Discussion, and Research on Violence«). Finally, Wilhelm Heitmeyer presented »Ideas on Further Work at the Institute«. These papers have been published in German in the book series »Bielefelder Universitätsgespräche und Vorträge«.

Click here for the »History of the University of Bielefeld«
(available in German only)