In its coalition agreement, the current federal government has expressed its support for strengthening consumer research in Germany. The aim is to examine whether new institutions for consumer research need to be created in addition to the existing structures. The former government had already addressed the possibility of institutionally strengthening consumer research and commissioned a feasibility study for a federal institute for consumer research for this purpose.
The team of authors, led by Prof. Dr. Peter Kenning (Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf) and consisting of renowned consumer researchers, has now presented its findings. In the final report, the authors conclude that research structures in consumer policy could be strengthened in two different ways: The establishment of a ‘small’ federal institute as a departmental research institution or the founding of a ‘Science Center for Consumer Sciences’. While the former organization would be closer to politics, the latter would focus on the academic consumer research landscape, the development of methods and theories, and the development of young talents. The costs for both options would amount to around €9 million per year if the structures were to be fully developed.
In addition, the authors recommend that both options should leave room for the operation and expansion of already established but underfunded project funding. It should also be ensured that the new institution is embedded in the existing institutional landscape.
ConPolicy Managing Director Prof. Christian Thorun welcomes the study's findings. Especially in times of economic weakness and high expectations among citizens for affordable living, functioning public services, and simple everyday routines, close cooperation is important: 'Research on living conditions, the development and evaluation of effective solutions, and their political implementation must be effectively interlinked.'
The final report can be found here.