Andreas Zick: Social identity theory || Diversity in German academia

In this episode, we talked to Prof. Dr. Andreas Zick who is the Scientific Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on Conflict and Violence (IKG) and Professor at the Faculty of Educational Science at Bielefeld University, Germany. Our main topics are social identity theory and intergroup conflict, but also diversity in German scientific institutions and the link between research and society. 

PAST (00:02:03): Andreas describes his personal academic journey along key, including contributing to the first cross-European survey on prejudice and racism. Here he addresses analytical challenges, challenges of establishing research on sensitive societal issues, and challenges in the German academic system. 

PRESENT (00:28:25): We discuss social identity theory of intergroup behavior by Tajfel & Turner (1986) and how it has changed research on intergroup conflicts. 

FUTURE (00:36:17): Andreas emphasizes that academia and universities, especially in Germany, should open up to diversity. He gives concrete ideas of what this can look like. He concludes by arguing for a stronger link between expertise/research and society as well as thinking beyond one’s own scientific discipline.

Full reference of this episode’s articles:

Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In W. G. Austin, & S. Worchel (Eds.), The social psychology of intergroup relations (pp. 33-37). Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole. 

Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1986). The Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Behavior. In: S. Worchel & W. G. Austin (Eds.), Psychology of Intergroup Relation (pp. 7-24). Chicago: Hall Publishers.