The Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies (German: Max-Planck-Institut für Gesellschaftsforschung, MPIfG) is a German social-science research institute within the Max Planck Society located in Cologne.
Established in 1985, it was initially headed by sociologist Renate Mayntz (1985/86), followed by political scientist Fritz W. Scharpf (1986–2003), both of whom exerted a profound influence on the institute's research and public image.[1] The institute is currently directed by Lucio Baccaro and Jens Beckert with 31 employees and around 20 doctoral and post-doctoral fellows. The research group leaders are Martin Höpner and Leon Wansleben.[2]
Wolfgang Streeck became director of the institute in 1995 and remained in this position until his retirement in 2014, becoming emeritus director.[3]