BIGSSS Welcomes Its Largest-Ever Doctoral Cohort › view all

 20 of our 27 fellows — meet our new cohort.

BIGSSS is delighted to welcome 27 new doctoral researchers this year. The cohort includes 13 Affiliated Fellows, seven Adjunct Fellows, two DAAD Fellows, and five Fellows funded by South Africa's Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

Once again, the new cohort stands out for its strong international character, with a substantial share of international fellows and a notable presence from the Global South, including South Africa. BIGSSS's successful fellowship programs with the DAAD and DHET play an important role in strengthening these international academic connections and fostering a diverse research community.

The size of this year's cohort is also a testament to BIGSSS's sustained development. Seven years after the end of its Excellence Initiative funding, BIGSSS remains a leading institution for social science doctoral education in Germany and an internationally established graduate school. The strong career trajectories of our alumni, both within and beyond academia, reflect the lasting impact of the doctoral training at BIGSSS.

This year also sees the integration of a large cohort of doctoral researchers from the Collaborative Research Centre 1342, Global Dynamics of Social Policy. Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for a third and final phase from 2026 to 2029, the CRC examines the socioeconomic effects of social policy, with a focus on improving social conditions and promoting political integration. Its integration further strengthens the connections between BIGSSS's doctoral training and the Bremen Social Sciences.

The new academic year kicked off with a full and exciting orientation week, offering fellows opportunities to connect with the BIGSSS community. The week ended with the traditional Welcome BBQ at Constructor University, bringing together many interested fellows, faculty, staff and guests for an evening of conversation and good food.

Welcome to BIGSSS! We look forward to the research, exchange and collaborations the new academic year will bring.