Departments
The ZDA comprises three scientific departments and the staff unit.
General Democracy Research (ADF)
The Department of General Democracy Research is concerned with the functioning, performance and institutional design of modern democracies. It is headed by the holder of the Chair of Democracy Research and Public Governance at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Zurich.
Centre for Research on Direct Democracy (c2d)
The c2d conducts research on direct democracy. It tracks, analyzes and works on the institutional design of direct democracy, the actual use of its political instruments and the effects of referendums and initiatives in numerous countries around the world. The c2d is administratively assigned to the Faculty of Law at the University of Zurich.
Political Education and History Didactics (PBGD)
The Center for Civic Education and History Didactics (PBGD) researches history and civic education with regard to their significance for democracy. It analyzes teaching processes, develops (digital) teaching materials and organizes the conference series «Geschichtsdidaktik empirisch», «Politische Bildung empirisch» and «Erinnerung – Verantwortung – Zukunft». The PBGD Center is affiliated with the Institute for Research and Development at the FHNW University of Teacher Education.
Staff unit
The administrative management of the center is organized in the staff unit. Finances, human resources, marketing and communication are handled here.