Mandate

The Konrad Adenauer Research Chair in Empirical Democracy Studies is a research unit associated with the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa. The chair’s mandate is to study key challenges of contemporary democracies including those shaping Germany and Canada. Using methodological pluralism the chair tries to contribute to knowledge in the field of populism, election studies, public opinion research and political representation. Through conferences workshops and exchanges, the chair aims at bringing together faculty members, graduate students, and undergraduate students. Members of the chair also try to outreach to the media and wider communities in Germany and Canada.

Mission statement

The Konrad Adenauer Research Chair in Empirical Democracy Studies pursues four main objectives:

• The creation of a vibrant academic and research environment for faculty members, guest researchers, undergraduate- and graduate students working on empirical democracy studies.
• The Promotion and Dissemination of Research tackling key challenges of contemporary democracies
• The Strengthening of academic and non-academic links between Germany and Canada
• The Fostering of ongoing dialogue between academia, the media and the wider public

Daniel Stockemer, is Full Professor in the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa and since May 2021 chair holder of the Konrad Adenauer Research Chair in Empirical Democracy Studies. He hold a Master’s Degree from the University of Connecticut (2006), a teacher’s and Master’s degree from the University of Mannheim (2007), and a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut (2010). As the holder of the research chair, he see himself as an ambassador to Canadian German relations. His research focuses on key challenges of Germany and Canada, and representative democracies, more generally. These include (1) the effects of migration on political attitudes, (2) the populist tide that has swept the world, (3) transformations in the conduct of elections and the determinants of vote choice, and (4) unequal representation of various cohorts of the population including women, minorities and youth. Throughout his academic career, Daniel has published 4 single authored book, 1 edited volume, 1 textbook and more than 130 articles in peer reviewed journals. Daniel is very active in the discipline of political science and has several editorial commitments. Since the fall of 2019, he is editor of the International Political Science Review, and in early 2020, he has started editing the Springer Book Series in Electoral Politics.

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) is a political foundation. In Germany, 16 regional offices offer a wide variety of civic education conferences and events. Our offices abroad are in charge of over 200 projects in more than 120 countries. The foundation’s headquarters are situated in Sankt Augustin near Bonn, and in Berlin. There, an additional conference center, named “The Academy”, opened in 1998. We are proud to bear the name of Konrad Adenauer. The first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany’s name and principles are our guidelines, duty, and obligation. At home as well as abroad, our civic education programs aim at promoting freedom and liberty, peace, and justice. We focus on consolidating democracy, the unification of Europe and the strengthening of transatlantic relations, as well as on development cooperation.

As a think-tank and consulting agency, our soundly researched scientific fundamental concepts and current analyses offer a basis for possible political action. The Berlin Academy is the national forum of dialogue between the spheres of politics, economy, science, and society.

Our conferences and events attract people who 'have something to say'. In Germany, we offer more than 2,500 events per year, which attract 145,000 participants. We provide moral and material support to intellectually gifted young people, not only from Germany, but also from Central and Eastern Europe and developing countries. We stay in close contact with our more than 10.000 alumni.

Exhibitions, readings, and awards are also distinctive elements of our work. We promote young artists, and annually award our prestigious Literary Prize. Our scholarship programs help young journalists by offering them projects specifically geared to their needs. Since 1980, we have annually awarded a prize for excellent local journalism. Since 2002, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has awarded its “Prize Social Market Economy” to personalities of exceptional merit in safeguarding and developing the social market economy.

Find out more the KAS.