Evaluation – A Top Rating for ZEW

The Mannheim-based Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) has achieved a rating of very good to excellent as part of a regular external evaluation to which all institutions within the Leibniz Association must submit themselves at least once every seven years. On the basis of this result, the Senate of the Leibniz Association has made the decision to recommend further federal and state funding for the institution. In the words of the Senate, "ZEW's work deals with the conditions of many high-functioning markets and institutions in Europe. Using a wide variety of methods, the institute conducts research into current and relevant issues. In doing so, it draws upon, among other things, an impressive bank of empirical data compiled by ZEW itself, which the institute makes accessible through an accredited research data centre. Based on its research results, ZEW is also able to provide comprehensive, high-quality economic policy advising."

This excellent evaluation of ZEW, the result of an on-site visit at the research institute on 14 and 15 March 2016 by an assessment team comprised of international experts, has been a source of great pride and delight for the ZEW Board of Directors. "This is a wonderful result and is above all a testament to the extraordinary commitment of our staff over the past few years," said ZEW President Professor Achim Wambach, PhD.

ZEW had already been scored well in the previous evaluation in 2009. Since that time the institute has shown excellent further development, according to the judgement of the Leibniz Association based on the results of the assessment team's evaluation. ZEW has managed to improve its research findings in terms of both quality and quantity and is valued as a highly competent economic policy advisor by ministries, parliaments and institutions as well as the EU Commission and the business world.

"Market design is an extremely topical area of economic research"

In taking over Professor Dr. Clemens Fuest's role as head of the institute in April 2016, Professor Achim Wambach has not only become ZEW's new president but also brings a vision which complements the institute's research focus exceedingly well. The Senate of the Leibniz Association was strongly convinced by the new president's plans to expand ZEW's agenda to include the topic of market design. Achim Wambach describes the motivation behind these plans: "On the one hand, market design is an extremely topical area of economic research. On the other hand, the question of how markets and institutions need to be designed so economic activities produce the most efficient results is, for practical purposes, of great importance."

ZEW's encouragement of emerging talent in the field of economic research was singled out for praise by the assessors. They described the institute as extremely committed and successful, particularly in its training of doctoral candidates, who make up more than half of ZEW's scientific personnel.

ZEW fathered two Leibniz ScienceCampi

The Senate also praised ZEW's diverse and productive cooperative relationships, citing the institute's strong connections with numerous universities, associations, organisations and companies both in Germany and abroad. The institute's cooperation within the Leibniz Association was also commended by the Senate. Thomas Kohl, the Director of Business and Administration at ZEW, explains where this cooperation is most clearly to be seen: "ZEW is a member of five Leibniz Research Alliances and has also fathered two Leibniz ScienceCampi in close cooperation with the University of Mannheim, with whom we have worked closely for many years."

This year's excellent evaluation serves as stimulus for ZEW's Board of Directors to continue all the excellent work together with the institute's staff over the years to come and to further strengthen the institute's international presence in particular.

The Leibniz Association's evaluation process

Every institution within the Leibniz Association is subject to regular external evaluations which take place at least once every seven years. Internationally renowned experts assess the structure and achievements of every institution by way of written documents and an on-site visit. The results of the assessment are then recorded in an evaluation report. On the basis of this report, the Senate of the Leibniz Association then releases a scientific policy statement, which usually includes a funding recommendation regarding the Leibniz member institution. The Senate's statement is used by the Joint Science Conference (GWK) to check that funding requirements have been met. None of the positions on the committees involved in the assessment and evaluation process are occupied by anyone employed at any Leibniz Association institution.

For more information please contact

Prof. Achim Wambach, PhD, Phone +49(0)621/1235-100, E-mail wambach@zew.de

Thomas Kohl, Phone +49 (0)621/1235-111, E-mail kohl@zew.de