Economic and Social Geography

The research cluster focuses on the organization and development of economic relationships in spatial perspective. There are currently three main research interests: geography of services and finance, geography of knowledge, organization and social networks.

Researchers are involved in several research projects. Particularly, the research cluster leads the major consortium Krea.Nets, granted by the BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research), which aims at developing concepts for the design and governance of innovative inter-firm networks of small and medium sized enterprises [more].

Members of the research cluster offer numerous courses in the different programs in geography (Bachelor, Teaching profession at grammar schools and from winter term 2010/2011 on Master). Lectures and seminars cover the fields of economic geography, the geography of organization, economic globalization as well as qualitative and quantitative methods of empirical social research, with an emphasis on methods of social network analysis.

Jointly with the University of Toronto, the research cluster publishes SPACES online, a working paper series that brings the current research of scholars and post-graduates to a wider audience for discussion.