How Germany functions is shaped by the values and norms that guide us. These researchers are examining what holds the government and the economy together—and where the gears are grinding. Part three of the series.

• Prof. Dr. Ulf Schrader (Technische Universität Berlin): The professor of vocational education has made significant contributions to teacher training in his field and is an expert on sustainable consumption and consumer education. In his latest projects, he is teaching inmates how to manage their finances once they are released from prison. This is because debt increases the likelihood of reoffending.
• Prof. Dr. Stefan Liebig und Tamara Böhm (Freie Universität Berlin): In August, hackers attacked the state of Berlin, stole data, and demanded a ransom. Cyberattacks are among the greatest threats, a fact most German companies are aware of. Nevertheless, they are not well prepared for them, as the two sociologists have discovered. Many of the more than 1,200 companies surveyed could become more resilient to crises if they ran through scenarios that are rare but could threaten their very existence in an emergency.

All of them were presented today in Der Tagesspiegel (September 30, 2026) within the framework of the series “The 100 Most Important Minds in Berlin Academia 2026” (T+, in German).