Publications - MPIfG

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MPIfG Report 1999–2002
selves by giving at least one seminar. Occasionally researchers will present their
findings to the entire staff, especially when research results have attracted public
attention or when there is an issue in the news that a scholar at the institute can
shed light on. Twice a year a number of researchers, usually three, present their
current projects to the administrative staff. This has been very well received and
enhances the overall atmosphere among researchers and administrative staff
members. There are also a
great number of guest lectures,
some of which are for
the MPIfG researchers only
to provide an opportunity
for scholarly debate. Others
are open to the general
public or, by invitation, to
friends of the institute.
Collaborative Research
Within the institute, researchers frequently collaborate on publications. Also, the
MPIfG’s internal peer review of papers submitted for publication as MPIfG
Working Papers or Discussion Papers is an important vehicle for mutual information
and debate. MPIfG researchers at all levels, including doctoral candidates,
participate in this rigorous review system, which enables the reviewers to develop
their critical skills, and the authors to gain from their colleagues’ experience and
insights.
Establishing Contacts
Weekly in-house lunch meetings enhance personal contacts and help integrate the
visiting researchers. Each visiting researcher is assigned to a research staff member
who shows him or her around the building and helps establish professional contacts
inside and outside the institute. The visiting researchers and new employees
are introduced to the entire staff at the “Kaffee im Foyer,” which takes place every
few months. Also, many features of the institute’s new building encouraged contact
among the staff. With access to four seminar rooms, researchers are able to
gather and discuss their work whenever they want to. There are also three spacious
lunch rooms, which have proven to be popular meeting points for informal discussions
and personal get-togethers such as the daily after-lunch espresso.
The directors of the MPIfG regard it as one of their core tasks to provide for a rich
social and intellectual context at the Institute, one within which independent and