Introduction to the ZA EUROLAB

Comparing nations is one important way to learn about differences and similarities between countries which might contribute to the understanding of past and future developments in a fast changing and complex world. Thus, the access to comparative surveys, relevant country specific and comparative literature as well as cultural-specific knowledge are important preconditions for the analyses of transnational research questions. Furthermore, comparative social research profits significantly from the co-operation of researchers with different cultural knowledge. This co-operative research model has been carried out in the ZA EUROLAB in previous years. It also stimulates further international networking beyond the time spent at the ZA EUROLAB.

The ZA EUROLAB was established at the ZA in 1996 in order to host researchers and provide well-assisted access to nationally and internationally comparative data sets. It was supported by the Training and Mobility of Researchers (TMR) – Large Scale Facility (LSF) programme and thereafter to support researchers who were given access within the Improving Human Potential (IHP) - Access to Research Infrastructures (ARI) programme of the European Community. About 200 researchers from altogether 28 countries have spent more than 2000 working days at the ZA EUROLAB since it was established in 1996. For summary activities reports of ZA EUROLAB activities in the TMR-LSF and IHP-ARI programmes see TMR-LSF and IHP-ARI summary activities reports.

For further details see services offered and access & application procedure.