Leibniz Association Senate Confirms ZEW as One of the Leading Economic Research Institutes in Europe

Due to a extraordinary evaluation result, the Leibniz Association Senate has recommended to the German government to promote the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) Mannheim in the future as institute of national significance and macroeconomic policy interest. The senate stated that “ZEW is a extraordinary successful and promising institute of empiric economic research”. According to the senate, ZEW is well visible in Germany and abroad and is one of the leading economic research institutes in Europe. ZEW also sets scientific standards for economic policy advice in Germany.

ZEW’s executive directors are happy and proud about the news of the senate’s recommendation. ZEW was evaluated thoroughly by an international team of researchers on 22nd and 23rd of September 2009. ZEW President Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Wolfgang Franz said: "This is great news. The credits fort the excellent evaluation result belong to ZEW’s staff. They have convinced the evaluators with their commitment and achievement."

The Leibniz Association Senate in particular emphasised ZEW’s successful integration of research, economic consultancy and qualification of young researchers. This concept is unique. ZEW not only employs a high number of doctorate candidates but their education was very successful. ZEW’s principle of “functioning markets and institutions in the European context” is convincingly followed. In particular, the European dimensions were taken into account. The senate agrees with the team of evaluators that ZEW’s research achievements were very good. Special praise is given to ZEW’s databases, e.g. ZEW financial market test, Eurpean Tax Analyzer, Mannheim Innovation Panel or KfW/ZEW start-up panel.

Moreover, the convincing work of ZEW's administration as well as the institute's very successful knowledge transfer to the public were pointed out. "ZEW informs the public on a regular basis by diverse publications about its research and consultancy work. Furthermore, it is the only economic research institute which has its own department offering further training seminars for external scientists and managers", Thomas Kohl, ZEW director of business and administration, explains. "It is our goal to have as many ZEW researchers as possible transferring knowledge at the seminars we offer."

In the future, ZEW executive directors together with ZEW's staff are going to work hard to extend ZEW's internationally renowned reputation in the field of economic research and political advisory.

Further Information on the Evaluation Process of the Leibniz Association

The Leibniz Association Senate evaluates the association's institutes in a period of seven years max. On basis of the senate's evaluation, the German federal government and states audit in the Joint Science Conference (GWK), if the requirements of a joint sponsoring of the Leibniz institutes are still being fulfilled. The senate consists of an external team and is therefore independent in the evaluation process. To conduct evaluations, there is the Leibniz Association Senate Evaluation Committee. The Committee names evaluation teams consisting of internationally renowned and independent researchers. The evaluation teams visit the institutes and evaluate the scientific quality and significance of the institutes based on texts, institutes' data, interviews and discussions with staff.

For further information please contact

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