To meet the requirements of this approach the GWZO currently employs approximately 50 fellows from different liberal arts disciplines such as archeology, onomastics, historiographies, history of art and architecture, ethnology and literary studies. This broad range of subjects constitutes the outstanding unique character of the institute.
The scientific work of the institute is structured in the three research departments for Humans and Environment, Culture and Imagination and Intercommunication and Globalisation as well as in the department for Transfer of Knowledge and Intercommunication. The departments work interdisciplinarily, historically comprehensive and they develop dynamically their fields of research.
The institute builds on its close relations with the University of Leipzig to perform its research work, as well as relying on a network of cooperative relations with universities and other research institutions in Eastern Europe, in other parts of Europe and globally. This enables the GWZO to conduct its research projects on the basis of proven structures and to respond equally flexibly to current challenges in the areas of science and politics.
The GWZO operates one of the best research libraries regarding Eastern Europe in the German-speaking area. The institute gives high priority to sharing research results with the expert audience as well as with a wider circle of users.
The GWZO promotes academic exchange by organising international exhibitions and conferences, often directly in the region of the research focus. Therefore the GWZO is not only researching about Eastern Europe, but also in situ and in fact together with Eastern Europe.
