The Center for International Relations (AIB) has been led by Prof. Dr. Diana Panke since April 2024.

The team of the Center for International Relations researches global and regional international organizations (IOs), regime complexity, international norms, international negotiations, and small states in international relations. A particular focus lies on theory-driven, methodologically sound empirical analysis.

 

The teaching activities of the AIB staff take place within the framework of the Otto-Suhr-Institute for Political Science (OSI) at the Department of Political and Social Sciences. The Center coordinates teaching in the field of International Relations at OSI and is significantly involved in the Master's programme in International Relations in collaboration with Humboldt University and the University of Potsdam.

 

Various research projects are conducted at the Center for International Relations, which are usually funded by third parties such as the DFG (German Research Foundation), the European Union, or foundations. The following third-party funded research projects are housed at the office:

1. "The Exit of States from Regional Organizations. A Comparative Analysis" (Lead: Prof. Dr. Diana Panke, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG))
2. "Performances of Forest Governance of Regional Regimes – A Comprehensive, Comparative Analysis" (Lead: Prof. Dr. Diana Panke, joint project with Prof. Dr. Daniela Kleinschmit (University of Freiburg), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG))
3. "The Secret Life-Changes of Norms: A Comprehensive Analysis of Norm Change" (Lead: Prof. Dr. Diana Panke, in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Ulrich Petersohn (University of Liverpool), funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC))
4. "De-Centering Human Rights: Liberalism, Human Rights, and the Global South" (Lead: Prof. Dr. Tobias Berger, Prof. Dr. Thomas Risse, in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Anna Holzscheiter (TU Dresden); funded by the Excellence Cluster SCRIPTS)
5. "TRANSNORMS - Translating International Norms between the Global and the Local" (Lead: Prof. Dr. Thomas Risse; funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG))

 

The results of the research work of the projects and staff at the office are published by various German and international publishers. Through public lecture events and expert seminars, as well as the involvement of foreign students and visiting scholars, and participation in international programs and joint research projects, the reach of the office extends far beyond the FU.

 

History

The Center of International Relations succeeds the Center for Transnational Relations, Foreign and Security Policy, which was led by Prof. Dr. Thomas Risse between 2001 and 2022. ATASP was founded in 1986 by Prof. Dr. Helga Haftendorn as the Center for Transatlantic Foreign and Security Policy.