Completed research projects of the directorate

Completed book project
After National Socialism, the Federal Republic tried to act as a purified democratic state. At the same time, it interacted globally with numerous non-democratic states - be it politically, economically or culturally. The book project archived these practices and their repercussions on both sides. Frank Bösch published his book Deals mit Diktaturen. Eine andere Geschichte der Bundesrepublik on February 15, 2024.

Completed Research project 
financed by the Volkswagen Foundation 
Project leader: Frank Bösch
This interdisciplinary project examined by means of ‘living history’ forms of physical appropriation of history. From the perspective of contemporary history, re-enactments in open-air museums, television documentaries and themed walks, which are supposed to visualise the beginnings of human history, were considered

Completed Research, Documentation and Exhibition Projects 
of the Centre for Contemporary History, Potsdam, the Potsdam Museum and the State Capital Potsdam - Lindenstraße Memorial Site (2007 – 2013)
Project management: Hans-Hermann Hertle (ZZF Potsdam), 
Thomas Schaarschmidt (ZZF Potsdam), Gabriele Schnell (Gedenkstätte Lindenstraße), Hannes Wittenberg (Potsdam Museum)

Spokesman of the Research Alliance: Prof. Dr. Martin Sabrow, Cooordinator: Dr. Achim Saupe
In the period 2013-2021, the research network investigated in a transdisciplinary and international perspective how historical and contemporary notions of authenticity have influenced the treatment of cultural heritage. The projects that have not yet been completed will be continued in the new Leibniz Research Alliance "Wert der Vergangenheit," which started in September 2021.

Frank Bösch was deputy spokesman of this research network Project form 2013 to 2019.
The research projects focused on financial market and debt crises, food crises, environmental crises and crises of political order. The cooperating Leibniz Institutes researched overarching patterns of crises, their dynamics and interdependencies.

based at the Humboldt University’s Department of History 
with Professor Olaf Blaschke, Trier; Professor Christoph Cornelißen, Düsseldorf; Professor Gabriele Lingelbach, Bamberg; Professor Martin Sabrow, Potsdam/Berlin)
The project aimed to research and illustrate the Association of German Historians` history (founded in 1895) from its foundation to the present time.

The volume provides a critical reflection on eyewitnesses as a phenomenon of popular historical culture.

Completed Joint project
Project leader: Frank Bösch
The project was funded by the Leibniz Association's ‘Innovative Projects’ fund. 
The Leibniz Association funded four sub-projects.
Funded in line with a competition of the Leibniz Association
Duration: May 2014 - April 2017
The project seeked to explore the social significance of early computerisation in a pan-German perspective by analysing the social interpretations, practices and implications of the increased use of computers in both East and West Germany.