Research structure and competencies – Overview

The research activities at LIKAT are assigned to seven so-called topic fields (TF), which are regarded as future-oriented, socially relevant research areas. They are across-research departments and combine the expertise of the different research departments (FB) or their research groups (TG) in this research area.

This "matrix structure" promotes the exchange of different disciplines on research questions and allows to maximize the professional potential at LIKAT.

A total of seven thematic areas have been identified, which are addressed by the existing 10 research areas with their individual thematic groups.

Methodical Orientation
Substance Orientation

 

The Way to the Matrix Structure…

 

As a member of the Leibniz Association, answering socially relevant research questions is at the forefront of our research approach. This approach requires a holistic and interdisciplinary approach. Consequently, the operative research work at LIKAT is assigned to cross-divisional topic fields (TF) and specific competences of the entire institute are bundled.

In order to better reflect this research structure, the former program department structure with assigned research departments (FB) was replaced by the matrix structure. A total of seven topic fields have been identified as future-oriented research areas, which are dealt with by the existing research areas with their individual thematic groups. Of these, three (TF 01 - 03) are methodologically oriented and four (TF 04 - 07) are materially oriented. All topic fields are coordinated by a spokesperson and his or her deputy.

 

The reorganization of the individual rersearch groups into cross-research-domain topics promotes transparency and intensive communication between all research departments and research groups. The goal is to develop an information culture that promotes effective information exchange at all levels: professional, organizational, joint projects and new joint proposal submissions.

There is a clear distribution of tasks and roles of heads of research departments and topic spokespersons, which complement each other: heads of research departments are responsible for research, budget & personnel. Topics spokespersons coordinate the cooperation of the groups of different research departments in a topic as well as their presentation to the public.