Research Projects

The coronavirus pandemic not only has far-reaching social consequences for social systems and the economic and employment spheres, but also for gender relations, families, and the entire lives of those affected. From a gender and inequality sociological subject perspective, we analyze the (non-)support provided by the welfare state in restoring the reproductive capacity of (formerly) employed caregivers suffering from Long/Post-COVID (LC/PC). We ask: 1. What obstacles and difficulties do LC/PC sufferers - often women - encounter in restoring their reproductive assets, especially in the social insurance system, and in particular with accident and pension insurances? 2. Under what conditions, especially in the social security sphere, but also in the family sphere, do they (not) succeed in the long term in (re)acquiring the ability to function, to work, and to participate in society? 3. What measures are needed to provide better welfare state protection for people suffering from LC/PC who have care responsibilities and, in some cases, suffer from major health restrictions? 4. What do these results mean for (unequal) gender relations? 5. Are there contradictions in the (gendered) non-/reproduction of reproductive assets by the social security system? How could this be interpreted from the perspective of critical feminist theory (of the welfare state)?

The project consists of two sub-projects, one of which will be carried out at HU Berlin (led by Prof. Christine Wimbauer).

The project is scheduled to start on 1 October 2026. More information will follow.

Aging societies are societies that need to constantly reinvent themselves - this applies to political and social levels, i.e. regarding institutions and social relations, as well as to the everyday life of each individual. When societies age, it affects not only the "old", but everyone, including children, young, and middle-aged people. It affects individuals and families as well as the entire health and social system, the pension system, and how we live and work together. We are becoming "fewer, older, more diverse" - this is a global trend that is accompanied by fundamental social changes for everyone and brings with it a wide range of challenges. Especially in times of multiple crises (pandemics, wars, climate) with profound social and economic consequences, all this is of  importance for ensuring participation, good living and working conditions, and social solidarity.

The research training group studies the new challenges caused by demographic change for individuals, families, and societies and asks: How can self-determined aging be made possible for all in central areas of life and over the entire life course? How can we ensure generationally appropriate social participation in aging societies? From a multi-methodological and interdisciplinary, multilevel perspective, the twelve doctoral theses are situated in eight closely interrelated thematic areas. The spokespersons of the research group are Prof. Martina Brandt and Prof. Mona Motakef from the Department of Socail Sciences. Further participating researchers include Prof. Nicole Burzan, Prof. Jürgen Howaldt (Social Research Cener), Prof. Angelika Poferl and Prof. Monika Reichert, all from the Department of Social Sciences, as well as Prof. Susanne Frank from the Department of Spatial Planning and Prof. Uwe Wilkesmann from the Center of Higher Education (zhb). 

Project duration: January 1, 2023–December 31, 2027

Further Information