Knowledge Network Racism Research (WinRa)

Not least the attacks in Hanau and Halle, as well as the rise in racist violence in Germany—which manifests itself structurally and institutionally—demonstrate how important it is to take decisive action against racism and right-wing extremism, and to more strongly promote, expand, and embed research on these topics within the higher education landscape. Against this backdrop, the Knowledge Network for Racism Research (WinRa) strategically strengthens and connects the scattered and fragmented field of racism research in Germany through research-driven, interdisciplinary exchange. Substantive and methodological questions occupy a central place within the Knowledge Network, which will also formulate strategies for expanding the research infrastructure for racism research. The network also serves as a point of contact for policymakers, civil society, the media, and the general public. The Knowledge Network for Racism Research is designed as a collaborative project. In addition to overall coordination and leadership at the DeZIM Institute in Berlin, WinRa consists of four regional networks established at Bucerius Law School Hamburg/University of Hamburg (Network North), Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences/ Technical University of Berlin (Network East), the University of Mannheim/University of Bayreuth (Network South), and the University of Bielefeld/Leuphana University of Lüneburg (Network West). WinRa is funded for a period of five years under the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)’s funding guideline “Current and Historical Dynamics of Right-Wing Extremism and Racism” and pursues overarching goals such as: networking and strengthening existing racism research (across disciplines and within individual disciplines to identify gaps and areas for further research), networking research projects and early-career research groups funded under the BMBF’s funding guidelines, strengthening and raising the profile of interdisciplinary research and teaching contexts at the regional level, as well as strengthening and integrating support for early-career researchers, and fostering exchange with research on right-wing extremism and antisemitism, as well as research on integration, migration, and displacement. To implement these goals, a systematic and disciplinary inventory of racism research in Germany was conducted to identify development prospects and recommendations for action regarding an appropriate research infrastructure, as well as concrete implementation options for structural development. Furthermore, WinRa contributes to a more thorough reflection on racism research as a practice, supports the discussion regarding the self-understanding of the research field, and aims to define it more precisely in terms of ethics, methodology, and the transfer of findings into practice. Throughout the project’s duration, WinRa also aims to ensure the structured involvement of civil society actors and community-based research, as well as national and international networking with partners and institutions.

Further information can be found here:

www.winra.org

WinRa has conducted the first systematic review of racism research in Germany for the period 2015–2025. The report on the systematic inventory, along with the complementary disciplinary analyses, can be found here: https://www.winra.org/aktuelles/neuer-winra-bericht-bestandsaufnahme-zur-situation-der-rassismusforschung-in-deutschland-2015-2025

WinRa strategically strengthens and connects racism research across disciplines by addressing shortcomings in the research infrastructure (networking, structural development, support for early-career researchers, knowledge transfer) and formulating recommendations for expanding the research infrastructure. In addition, WinRa creates interfaces with related research fields (research on right-wing extremism, antisemitism, migration, integration, and refugees) and promotes the exchange of racism research with these fields. 

Networking and strengthening existing research on racism (both interdisciplinary and within individual disciplines) to identify gaps and areas for further research;  

Networking BMBF-funded research projects and early-career research groups, as well as with other research initiatives, institutions, and civil society partners. 

Regional strengthening and profiling of interdisciplinary research and teaching contexts, as well as the integration and strengthening of support for early-career researchers; 

Exchange with research on right-wing extremism and antisemitism, as well as research on integration, migration, and displacement; development perspectives and recommendations for action regarding research infrastructure and structural development; 

Reflection on and clarification of the research field (self-understanding, ethics, methodology, transfer); structured involvement of civil society actors and community-based research, as well as national and internation 

WinRa has presented a systematic analysis of racism research at German universities for the period from 2015 to 2025. This analysis examines the structural framework and thematic priorities in this key research area, identifies gaps in the current research landscape, and formulates recommendations for the sustainable strengthening of the field. 

The report’s key findings illustrate that, despite its broad scope, racism research in Germany suffers from significant deficits in institutional support and long-term funding. The field is currently only weakly institutionalized, and research funding remains precarious and event-driven. The report makes clear that, despite important scholarly contributions, significant research gaps still exist: In numerous fields, there are hardly any empirical studies or systematic analyses available, meaning that central dimensions of racist inequality have so far been inadequately captured. Click here for the WinRa report Between Precarity and Institutionalization. An Inventory of Racism Research in Germany (2015–2025): www.winra.org/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/WinRa_251127_WebPdf.pdf  

This report is supplemented by disciplinary analyses, each of which examines from a subject-specific perspective how the discourse on racism has developed. Click here for the disciplinary analyses: www.winra.org/aktuelles/neuer-winra-bericht-bestandsaufnahme-zur-situation-der-rassismusforschung-in-deutschland-2015-2025  

How can the expertise and perspectives of civil society actors and affected communities be best integrated into the research process? To address these questions, the Knowledge Network for Racism Research (WinRa) conducted eleven guided interviews with selected civil society organizations in 2024. The results and insights from these discussions are documented in the WinRa Working Paper “Cooperation and Co-production in Racism Research.” WinRa Working Paper Cooperation and Co-production in Racism Research: https://www.winra.org/aktuelles/kooperation-und-koproduktion-in-der-rassismusforschung-fuer-eine-gemeinsame-wissensproduktion. 

WinRa is funded through December 2027. For the latest information and updates on WinRa, please visit our website: www.winra.org  

To permanently establish and structurally strengthen racism research, WinRa formulates the following recommendations for action: 

Consolidation of the funding framework: Establishment of a multi-year, independent funding guideline for racism research (including infrastructure and transfer modules). Additionally, DFG Priority Programs and Collaborative Research Centers are needed to ensure scientific depth and long-term sustainability. 

Structural expansion at universities: Establishment of professorships with explicit titles in core disciplines (including law, medicine/public health, education, and sociology) and independent degree programs on racism (and critical racism studies). 

Curricular integration: Mandatory integration of racism research into the curricula of relevant disciplines (particularly teacher education, medicine, social work, law, and sociology). 

Securing the next generation of researchers: Funding for early-career research groups with clear tenure-track models to reliably retain staff.