Research Institute for Public Administration

The Research Institute for Public Administration at the German University of Administrative Sciences Speyer (FÖV) is the only non-university institution in the Federal Republic of Germany doing application-oriented basic research in the field of administrative sciences. It was founded in 1976 as an organizationally independent in­stitution under the jurisdiction of the Minister-President of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate; it is largely integrated, however, in the University’s administrative and other services including the library.

The Institute’s range of tasks relates to research in the administrative science field with specific regard to the public administration’s practical needs and functions (the motto being research into and for public administration). This commitment confirms the diversity of administrative research which is also reflected in the variety of disciplines to be found at the FÖV (administrative science as such, law, economics, social and historical sciences).

As an institution of nation-wide interest, the FÖV is being furthered under the Blaue Liste research promotion scheme jointly funded by the Federation and the States. As such, it is a member of the scientific community known as the Wissenschaftsgemeinschaft Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (WGL).

To enhance the role of the FÖV as a centre of competence in administrative research, a process to restructure both its organization and programme was initiated in 1999. The aim was to strengthen its independence from the German University and sharpen its research profile. The reform of the Institute’s legal foundations in 2000/ 2001 opened it more widely to external scientists. This becomes particularly obvious from the introduction of a corresponding membership in addition to ordinary membership. Generally, membership may be granted by the Managing Board to scientists with outstanding performances in administrative research from both Germany and abroad. While ordinary members participate in specific research projects, corresponding members provide a scien­tific network assisting research cooperation as agreed by the Institute.

At present 24 professors are ordinary members of the FÖV with its collegial organization. Under the direction of one or more professors the scientific staff carry out research projects, as a rule being employed for such purpose for two years.

Research Profile

Apart from opening membership in this way, the other main target of the said restructuring was to sharpen the FÖV’s research profile. Until then, research by the Institute encompassed five wide-range focal subjects (citizen, state and responsibilities; public service and organisation; planning and decision-making; public finances and economic policy; legislation and legal policy), taking into account cross-sectional perspectives. Now, the focus is plainly more concentrated, the three newly instituted sections being

· Section I: Modernizing Government and Administration
· Section II: Multi-level governance
· Section III: Administration between state and society

Coordinated and represented by ordinary members as their heads, these Sections form the institutional framework for research at the Institute. In keeping with tradition, this materializes in both research projects and in scientific events, either project-related or independent. As a more recent element, study groups have been newly instituted.

Research into and for public administration is a concern of many disciplines. At the FÖV, the multidisciplinary approach not just means the coexistence of various subjects but helps to introduce them to neighbouring disciplines. From their very beginnings, research findings made at Speyer have stood for epistemic interests going beyond the mere disciplinary viewpoint.

Research activities are complemented by certain service elements closely related to FÖV research. These take into account the practitioners’ wishes for advice, put research findings to practical use and give new impulses to research. The said service elements include an office for administrative surveys and an agency for science law and science management that is at present being established, and they are modelled on the example of the so-called WiDuT founded in 1996 – a scientific documentation and transfer agency for administrative modernisation in the German Länder.

Publications

Research findings are published in reports called the Speyerer Forschungsberichte with an ISBN code number but also by commercial publishing houses or in professional journals. Current lists of publications can be obtained from the secretariat. Every year, the Institute draws up a working scheme which, together with the five-year research programme, gives an idea of projects planned or in process. Annual reports provide information on research activities in the previous year.

Events

To contribute to scientific discussions and present its research findings the Institute holds working conferences and research seminars. The working conferences are meant to convey findings to an expert public and have them discussed on a larger scale. At research seminars concrete research projects or topical subjects are discussed at length in limited circles. Both kinds of events are intended to further encounters and an exchange of ideas between scientists and practitioners.

Relationships at National and International Level

The FÖV maintains a variety of relationships with research institutions and universities in Germany, in Europe and world-wide. Cooperation has been agreed upon e.g. with the National Academy for Public Administration (NAPA) in Washington/USA, with the Escola d’Administració Pública de Catalunya in Barcelona/ Spain or with the Academy of Economics at the Government of the Russian Federation in Moscow/Russia. Also, German and other qualified scientists (with a doctor’s degree) engaged in administrative research are invited regularly by the FÖV for limited stays at the Institute as guest researchers.

Organisation

The Managing Board comprising five ordinary members and two junior researchers from the Institute is elected for four-year terms. It directs the FÖV, deciding, for instance, on the research programme, on research projects and on who is to be in charge of them, and it is responsible for budget and staff matters.

The Director and his Deputy are proposed with the University’s consent from among the Managing Board members and are then appointed by the Land Rhineland-Palatinate’s State Chancellory in agreement with the Administrative Board. Their term of office is the same as the Managing Board’s. The Director’s responsibilities include in particular day-to-day business and representation towards third parties.

The Administrative Board, comprising 21 representatives from Federal and State agencies, safeguards the interests of the authorities funding the Institute and serves as a link to administrative practice. Moreover, the Administrative Board members may submit proposals for research projects.

Research at the FÖV is accompanied by a Scientific Advisory Council. Its members are five scientists of various disciplines from other institutions in Germany and abroad appointed upon the Managing Board’s proposal by the Rhineland-Palatinate’s State Chancellory.

Facts and Figures

Ordinary members: 24 professors
Scientific staff: 19 junior researchers
Secretariat: 4 employees
Annual budget: 2.185 Mio. EURO (2001)
Outside funds: approx. 0.303 Mio. EURO (2001)
Publications: 227 research reports, 181 commercial publications
Projects carried out: approx. 261

Address

Freiherr-vom-Stein-Straße 2
67346 Speyer
P.O. 14 09, 67324 Speyer
Phone: ++49 (0) 62 32/6 54-0
Fax: ++49 (0) 62 32/6 54-290
E-Mail: foev@foev-speyer.de

Research Institute for Public Administration
Freiherr-vom-Stein-Straße 2
67324 Speyer am Rhein
Tel: +49 (0)6232 / 654 - 386
Fax: +49 (0)6232 / 654 - 290
E-Mail: foev@dhv-speyer.de

Press releases

Further Information: www.foev-speyer.de