As announced previously, INF has successfully secured funding for an edited volume in the third phase of the CRC. This volume aims to demonstrate how WeSIS data can be effectively used to analyze the introduction (CRC Phase 1), design (CRC Phase 2), and outcomes (CRC Phase 3) of social policies worldwide. The core idea behind this volume is to make our CRC indicators conceptually and practically accessible to the research community by analyzing (and visualizing) them and, in doing so, to raise awareness of and promote our data. For this purpose, we consider it important to cover all three research phases of CRC 1342. We will therefore circulate this call among former members from the first two phases.
While all contributions must directly engage with WeSIS data, we particularly welcome so-called "tandem contributions", i.e. co-authored chapters in which one or more authors are not members of CRC 1342. Co-authorship with researchers outside the CRC is encouraged but not mandatory. The edited volume can thus serve as a multiplier for the use of WeSIS data, increasing its visibility and recognition among the broader community of social policy researchers at other institutions. This is vital for the long-term development and use of WeSIS. INF will offer small training workshops for external collaborators; CRC members are also very welcome to attend.
As discussed in the PI meeting, we aim to include relatively concise contributions of 3,000–4,000 words (excluding references).
Why participate?
In our view, this volume offers an excellent opportunity to highlight the broader contexts and research questions underlying your own project work. The aim is to showcase some of the data that you and other CRC members have so meticulously collected since the establishment of CRC 1342 in 2018. The edited volume provides space to visualize descriptive patterns of welfare state development, to compare multiple countries or regions, or to zoom in on a specific case – material that is often highly interesting but rarely makes it into space-constrained journal articles. It also offers the opportunity to introduce and present your indicators to the relevant research community as well as to policy experts and practitioners working in the field. We are particularly interested in analytical contributions that test theoretical arguments with WeSIS data. However, descriptive contributions that address a clearly defined research question or reveal interesting empirical puzzles are equally welcome. Furthermore, the volume provides a valuable platform for doctoral researchers to document the context, preliminary investigations, and initial findings of their qualification projects that make use of WeSIS data.
How to Participate? - Call for Abstracts
As a first step, we kindly invite all projects from all three phases to participate by submitting an abstract of 250–400 words. In addition to the names and affiliations of all authors, including any external co-authors, abstracts should address the following aspects:
- What is the research question, objective, or goal of the contribution?
- To which of the following thematic sections does your contribution fit best?
a) Introduction of social policies and diffusion of the welfare state (CRC Phase 1),
b) Design of social policies: Inclusiveness and scope of benefits (CRC Phase 2),
c) Social policy outcomes (CRC Phase 3)
d) Methods: Using WeSIS Data to map global social policies? - What is the geographical scope of the contribution?
a) global, b) regional (e.g., EU, Africa, OECD), or c) national? - Which WeSIS data will be used, and how? Please feel free to contact the INF team if you need support, for example in identifying or selecting suitable data.
If you plan to include a specially designed illustration, figure, or map in your contribution, please indicate this in the abstract as well.
Timeline:
31.10.2026: Submission of abstracts by e-mail to Ivo, Sarah and Aysegül
(mossig@uni-bremen.de, sarah.berens@uni-bremen.de, ayseguel.kayaoglu@uni-mannheim.de)
Jan. 2027: Feedback on abstracts and workshops on using WeSIS data
30.04.2027: Submission of first drafts, followed by internal peer review
30.06.2027: Feedback returned to authors
31.09.2027: Submission of revised/final versions
30.11.2027: If necessary final feedback and submission of final revisions; completion of the final manuscript and submission to the publisher
Spring 2028: Publication of the book
We look forward to receiving your abstracts and to any feedback or questions you may have.
Best regards,
Ivo, Sarah & Aysegül
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Sarah Berens
CRC 1342: Global Dynamics of Social Policy
Mary-Somerville-Straße 5
28359 Bremen
Phone: +49 421 218-58603
E-Mail: sarah.berens@uni-bremen.de
Dr. Aysegul Kayaoglu
MZES
A5, 6
68159 Mannheim
E-Mail: ayseguel.kayaoglu@uni-mannheim.de
Prof. Dr. Ivo Mossig
CRC 1342: Global Dynamics of Social Policy
Mary-Somerville-Straße 7
28359 Bremen
Phone: +49-421-218 67410
E-Mail: mossig@uni-bremen.de
