Is democracy still a given? The rule of law, the separation of powers, freedom of expression and of the press, and commitment to the common good have lost some of their binding effect even in core democratic countries. Fundamental values have been relativized and democratic institutions called into question.  Therefore, within the academic world and in society as a whole there is a growing desire to better understand these serious changes. A new funding initiative at the Gerda Henkel Foundation aims to cater to this need. Under the heading “Transformations of Democracy? Or: Contours of Future Democratic Society”, researchers are invited to venture some assertions and trace the contours of future society.

The initiative supplements an existing line of funding within the Gerda Henkel Foundation. Since 2019 the Foundation has been supporting scholars studying democratic conflicts of the past. “Crucially, this view of things is now being extended to include the present day and the future,” explains Dr Michael Hanssler, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Gerda Henkel Foundation. “In the second funding initiative, we deliberately refer to the ‘contours’ of future society, because we are currently seeing massive political, technological and social changes that will be important for the development of our society, yet it is still entirely uncertain where they will lead us.”

Applications are open to post-doctoral researchers with links to a university from the entire spectrum of humanities and social sciences. It is also possible to submit applications for research groups pursuing a specific issue together. Project employees have to provide their own research services and publish them under their name. The funding program also provides for the project partners to participate in a public “workshop discussion on future society” organized annually by the Foundation.

The application deadline for the first round of applications ends on 12 May 2021. Further information on the funding initiative “Transformations of Democracy? Or: Contours of Future Democratic Society” can be found at www.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/en/democracy_contours. 

Contact:
Gerda Henkel Foundation press office
Dr Sybille Wüstemann
Telephone +49 211 93 65 24 - 19
Telefax +49 211 93 65 24 44
wuestemann@gerda-henkel-stiftung.de