How do complex relations work?
© Fotografien @A. Haag; Apollon/Justitia: GDJ @pixabay, bearb. v. A. Haag

TRA Individuals, Institutions and Societies

Our coexistence on this planet is a matter of interaction between individuals, institutions and societies. Countless factors influence our capacity to meet the challenges the present and the future hold. The TRA Individuals and Societies bridges the gaps between the fields of law, theologies, philosophy, economics, psychology, sociology, medicine and other disciplines, conducting research projects on ethics, digitalization / AI, social cohesion and other key issues of our time.

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© Bialek/Uni Bonn

Research

Read here about the research profile, topics and funded projects of our TRA.

About us

Learn more about goals and the organization of the transdisciplinary research area

Offers

Information on offers and events of our TRA can be found here.

Funding opportunities

Here you can find out more about our funding opportunities

News from the TRA

Notifications

© Universität Bonn / YouTube
Most successful University in the competition, having received eight Clusters of Excellence
A huge success for the University of Bonn: today, all six of the University of Bonn's existing Clusters of Excellence were selected for further funding in the nationwide Excellence Competition. In addition, both newly applied Bonn cluster initiatives will receive funding from the federal and state governments. This means that Bonn will be represented by a total of eight clusters in the coming funding period - more than at any other university in Germany.
May 22, 2025
© Image: Land NRW / Josua Dunst
Christiane Woopen receives the Order of Merit of the Federal State of NRW
Prof. Dr. Christiane Woopen, Director of the Center for Life Ethics, was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia by Minister President Hendrik Wüst on April 2 for her full-time and voluntary work in the field of ethics.
Apr 03, 2025
© Adobe Stock (AI generated) / Beyond Binaries
Opening Up: Volkswagen Foundation Funds Two Projects at the University of Bonn
Not one but two projects at the University of Bonn—on queer Islamic theology and culinary sensory analysis—have each been awarded funding of around €300,000 as part of the Volkswagen Foundation’s Open Up program. The aim of the Open Up funding initiative is to explore entirely new fields of science.
Apr 01, 2025
© Barbara Frommann / University of Bonn
“Becoming engaged from a place of openness and curiosity is key”
In a time of multiple crises, the enormous loss of biodiversity is one of our greatest challenges, the consequences of which are already affecting countless people around the world. It is evident by now: Something has to change - but what and how? Dr. Stefan Partelow, head of the “Transformation and Governance” research area at the Center for Life Ethics at the University of Bonn, is working on precisely this question. As one of many scientists, he contributed to the Transformative Change Assessment of the World Biodiversity Council IPBES, which has now been published: It aims to understand and identify factors in human society that can be used to bring about transformative change for the conservation, restoration and wise use of biodiversity while considering social and economic objectives in the context of sustainable development.
Dec 17, 2024

Highlights and announcements

Get involved in the TRA

As a member of TRA, you can access funding opportunities, participate in events and build new networks.

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Members area

Click here to go to the member area of TRA Individuals and Societies

Here you will find:

Membership application: Become a member!

Portrait photo: Change your portrait photo!

Change your data: Request a change to your data! 

Member directory: Find cooperation partners!

 

Meet our Researchers

Inter- and transdisciplinary research is actively pursued at the University of Bonn and is promoted across faculty boundaries - by our TRA-Professorships and our members.

© Bernadett Yehdou

Prof. Dr. med. Christiane Woopen

Hertz Professorship in 'Life Ethics'

© Gregor Hübl / Uni Bonn

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Julia Mink

Argelander Professorship in Environmental Economics, Sustainability and Inequality

© Gregor Hübl / Uni Bonn

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Jacqueline Lorenzen

Argelander Professorship in the Law of Sustainability and Ecological Transformation

Contact

Prof. Dr. André Beauducel

+49 228 734151

Spokespersons of the TRA; Department for Psychology

Prof. Dr. Hans-Martin von Gaudecker

+49 228 739357

Spokespersons of the TRA; Institute for Applied Microeconomics

Johanna Tix

+49 228 73 54468

Manager of the TRA Individuals and Societies

Discover more

The six Transdisciplinary Research Areas

The six Transdisciplinary Research Areas (TRAs) create areas for exploration and innovation in research and teaching at the University of Bonn.

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Excellence Strategy

We invest in People. We foster Networks. We create Impact. 

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Clusters of Excellence

ECONtribute: Markets & Public Policy, a joint initiative of the Universities of Bonn and Cologne, is funded as a Cluster of Excellence. 

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