INTERNATIONAL MAX PLANCK RESEARCH SCHOOLon the Social and Political Constitution of the EconomyKöln, Germany

Doctoral Programat the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies and the University of Cologne

eco

no

mic

soc

iolo

gy

com

para

tive p

olitical economy organization studies

t

http://imprs.mpifg.de

Dear Prospective Student,

Thank you for your interest in the International Max Planck Research School on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy (IMPRS-SPCE). If you are highly motivated and have an excellent academic record, the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies and the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne, as well the associated partner of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Duisburg-Essen, invite you to consider this international doctoral program aimed at students from all over the world.

The IMPRS-SPCE provides a supportive and intellectually stimulating environ-ment for research-oriented doctoral students who wish to excel with outstand-ing dissertations. The program includes a first-year curriculum offering a broad introduction to the classical works of economic sociology, political economy, organizational studies, and history as well as intensive training in research de-sign and methods of empirical research. An international exchange program enhances the academic experience.

To cover living expenses, students working at the MPIfG receive an employ-ment contract (Fördervertrag); students working at one of the universities re-ceive a scholarship. All students have access to adequate funds to conduct their empirical research projects, and ample office space.

Graduates from the program have recently won prestigious awards such as the German Thesis Award and the Otto Hahn Medal. The IMPRS-SPCE prepares its graduates for careers in academia. While many alumni successfully pursue careers at universities, others go on to work in the private sector, government, associations, and international organizations. To find out more about the pro-gram, please visit our website at http://imprs.mpifg.de. Please direct all inquir-ies to the academic coordinator via email to imprs@mpifg.de.

We are looking forward to hearing from you.

Welcome

Jens Beckert

Chair of the International Max Planck Research School on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy (IMPRS-SPCE)

Director at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies, Cologne

The International Max Planck Research School on

the Social and Political Constitution of the Econo-

my (IMPRS-SPCE) is an international doctoral pro-

gram offered jointly by the Max Planck Institute

for the Study of Societies (MPIfG) and the Faculty

of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at

the University of Cologne as well as the Faculty of

Social Sciences at the University of Duisburg-Essen

as an associated partner.

Aiming to combine and develop the approaches of

economic sociology, comparative political econo-

my, and organization studies, the School’s research

investigates the complex linkages between eco-

nomic and social action. Just as politics and social

life are affected by pressures for economic efficien-

cy and by economic power, economic action is em-

bedded in an infrastructure of social institutions,

cultural frames, historical trajectories, and political

decisions. The economy as a system of action is

both politically and socially constituted.

In sociology, the study of the social embeddedness

of economic action is the domain of the “New Eco-

nomic Sociology,” which focuses on the analysis

of markets. While economic sociologists highlight

the contribution of informal social structures to

the facilitation and direction of economic action,

political scientists examine how formal political

institutions and collective decision-making con-

tribute to economic governance. Since both the

economy and the polity are populated by organ-

izations, it is warranted to study their behavior

in its own right as well as its implications for the

social and political constitution of the economy.

Interdisciplinary cooperation enables the program

to combine insights from economic sociology, po-

litical economy, organization studies, and history.

Work at the School pursues an empirical-analyti-

cal approach rather than an efficiency-theoretical,

prescriptive one. It explores how institutions and

organizations evolve in the real economy, rather

than determining how they should evolve, or how

they would in ideal conditions.

Focus of Research

The program begins with a 15-month period devot-

ed to expanding students’ methodological skills and

firming up their theoretical background in economic

sociology, political economy, organizational studies,

and history. Students undergo intensive training in

research design and methods and participate in a

biweekly Research School Colloquium. During this

period, they also develop and defend their research

proposal. The second part of the program comprises

27 months during which students concentrate on re-

searching and writing their thesis. They are encour-

aged to spend four months at one of the partner

universities in France, Italy, or the United States. IM-

PRS-SPCE contracts or scholarships are awarded to

enable doctoral students to complete first-rate doc-

toral theses during their time at the IMPRS-SPCE. If

the presentation of interim results at an academic

conference helps to achieve this aim, the IMPRS-SPCE

will support it. The Max Planck Summer Conference

on Economy and Society, at which many students

present their work in progress to peers and leading

scholars in their fields, offers such an opportunity.

Doctoral Program

The IMPRS-SPCE offers …óó a research-oriented curriculum for exceptionally

qualified graduate students

óó excellent research facilities

óó close collaboration with supervisors

óó a contract or scholarship for up to 42 months

óó English as a working language

óó a stimulating intellectual environment within an

international research community

óó further funds for stays abroad, fieldwork, confer-

ence trips, or transcription costs

óó a six months wrap-up postdoc upon successful

completion of the program allowing additional

time for publishing or teaching

óó an international learning and working experience

in a major city in the heart of Western Europe

Special Featuresóó Exchange stay at a partner institution

óó Participation in a Summer Conference

CoursesCore Courses

óó Economy and Society I

óó Economy and Society II

óó Logic of Research: Either Logic of Social Inquiry or

Research Design in Comparative Social Research

Research Methods – Topics depending on individual needs

óó E.g. Qualitative Interviews; Case Study Methods;

Grounded Theory; Growth Models

Elective Courses, such asóó Applied Regression Analysis for Social Scientists

óó Case Study Methods in Comparative

Political Economy

óó Comparative Political Economy

óó Comparative Political Institutions

óó Foundations of Institutional Theory

óó Institutional Analyses of Organizations

óó Sociology of Markets

Semester abroad

Summer Conference

Exposé Empirical work Writing up

3 core courses

2 elective courses

Doctoral Colloquium

Doctoral thesis

Courses

Special features

1 3 52 4 6 7

Curriculum

2 methods courses

Semester

Given the international character of research in

comparative political economy, economic soci-

ology, and organization studies, international

cooperation is crucial. The doctoral program

gives students the opportunity to spend four

months at an American, French, or Italian part-

ner institution or another academic institution

abroad in order to gain international experi-

ence and develop their work in an internation-

al context. The IMPRS-SPCE also hosts doctoral

students from abroad, which expands its own

students’ intercultural skills and professional

networks. Public lectures by internationally re-

nowned scholars enhance the program.

CotutelleThe Cotutelle in the Social and Political Consti-

tution of the Economy is a Franco-German doc-

toral program offered jointly by Sciences Po

Paris and the IMPRS-SPCE which enables stu-

dents from Sciences Po and the IMPRS-SPCE to

pursue a German and a French doctoral degree

simultaneously (cotutelle de thèse). Degrees

are granted in sociology or political science.

Doctoral research projects are limited to the

research fields of economic sociology, political

economy, and organization studies.

United StatesColumbia University

Department of Sociology

Northwestern University

Department of Political Science

Department of Sociology

University of California, San Diego

Department of Sociology

FranceSciences Po Paris

Centre d’Études Européennes

Centre de Sociologie des Organisations

ItalyEuropean University Institute

Department of Political and Social Sciences

International Exchange Program

Partner Institutions

The IMPRS-SPCE admits up to eight students a year.

They must have a proven record of academic excel-

lence and hold an M.A. or the equivalent in a disci-

pline relevant to the School’s research. Students from

outside Germany are especially encouraged to apply.

The ability to do scholarly work in English is a prereq-

uisite for admission.

Admission into the second phase of the program is

subject to approval by the faculty based on a stu-

dent’s first-year record. In consultation with their ad-

visor, students submit their doctoral theses, usually in

English or German, to the Faculty of Management,

Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Co-

logne, or the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Universi-

ty of Duisburg-Essen.

Applications may be submitted from December 15 to

February 28. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for

an interview. Notification is in May, and the program

begins in October. See http://imprs.mpifg.de for more

about the program, eligibility, and applying online.

Financial and Organizational Support

To cover living expenses, students working at the

MPIfG receive an employment contract (Förderver-

trag); students working at one of the universities re-

ceive a scholarship. In both cases the amount of the

monthly financial support is approximately 1,300 €.

The contract or scholarship is initially limited to 15

months, with an extension of another 27 months

upon a student’s acceptance into the second phase

of the program. For the doctoral program, no tui-

tion is charged, but students are advised to enroll at

the University of Cologne or the University of Duis-

burg-Essen for a small fee. The School provides ad-

vice in practical matters such as visas, housing, and

health insurance. IMPRS-SPCE students have a fully

equipped, shared office and enjoy full access to the

libraries and research facilities of the MPIfG and the

Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Scienc-

es of the University of Cologne as well as the Faculty

of Social Sciences at the University of Duisburg-Essen.

Additional funds for fieldwork trips, stays at partner

universities, and conference travel are available.

Faculty

The faculty is made up of professors from the Max

Planck Institute for the Study of Societies, the Facul-

ty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at

the University of Cologne, and the Faculty of Social

Sciences at the University of Duisburg-Essen.

óó Lucio Baccaro (Political Economy)

óó Jens Beckert (Sociology)

óó Mark Ebers (Organization Studies)

óó Martin Höpner (Political Science)

óó André Kaiser (Political Science)

óó Clemens Kroneberg (Sociology)

óó Christine Trampusch (Political Science)

The faculty also includes six affiliate members:

óó Jenny Andersson (Economic History)

óó Olivier Godechot (Sociology)

óó Ariane Leendertz (History)

óó Mark Lutter (Sociology)

óó Sigrid Quack (Sociology)

óó Karen Shire (Sociology)

Admissions

People

As a doctoral fellow at MaxPo, the Max Planck Sciences Po Center on Coping with Instability in Market Societies in Paris, I also had the opportu-nity to spend at least two semesters at the IMPRS. The Franco-German Doctoral Program stimulates comparative research and is an enrichment to any international research project. I see the double doc-torate as a chance to gain ground in two different academic circles while enhancing my own in-ter-cultural and international academic education. Lisa Kastner, Germany

The interdisciplinary approach to economic analysis and the expansion of my research skills have been valuable inputs for my work. The program offers autonomy and high-quality tools to develop your research. In addition, the community of scholars is diverse in disciplinary and methodological ap-proaches and therefore enables constant and stim-ulating dialogue with social scientists from around the world with different backgrounds in the social sciences. These elements provide inspiring conditions for your doctoral dissertation and academic career.Irina Rosa España Eljaiek, Colombia

Studying at the IMPRS-SPCE means doing research in a climate of applied interdisciplinarity. The inter-action with researchers who have backgrounds in economics, political science, and sociology provides ample opportunities for gaining new insight into my own work and learning about different approaches. Here I can develop insights that would not be possi-ble in a less diverse environment.Lukas Haffert, Germany

When writing a dissertation at the IMPRS-SPCE, you have the freedom to pursue your own academic interests and the organizational support you need to do this. At the Institute, you are surrounded by scholars who are working on diverse topics and have a different academic and cultural background, but share a passion for social science. I really enjoy the interdisciplinary climate that pushes students to draw on findings from different disciplines.Marcin Serafin, Poland

CologneCologne, a major city in western Germany on

the Rhine, is host to nearly 90,000 students

from all over the world. Known for its hospi-

tality, Cologne offers a vibrant cultural scene,

historic treasures, and a wealth of leisure activ-

ities. It is a European rail and airline hub with

easy access to Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt,

Amsterdam, London, and Paris. During the

first six months, all new IMPRS students work

in an office at the MPIfG in Cologne. After this

period, students with advisors at the University

of Cologne or the University of Duisburg-Essen

move to their advisor’s institution.

Contact

The SchoolIMPRS-SPCE

Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies

Paulstr. 3, 50676 Cologne, Germany

Phone +49.221.2767-0

Fax +49.221.2767-555

imprs@mpifg.de

http://imprs.mpifg.de

IMPRS-SPCE ChairProfessor Jens Beckert

beckert@mpifg.de

Academic CoordinatorDr. Susanne Berger

Phone +49.221.2767-254

Fax +49.221.2767-555

berger@mpifg.de

Administrative CoordinatorDr. Ursula Trappe

Phone +49.221.2767-238

Fax +49.221.2767-555

trappe@mpifg.de