معرفی
Professor Axel Franzen serves as Professor of Empirical Social Research and Managing Director at the Institute of Sociology, University of Bern. His academic career spans appointments at the University of Aachen (Associate Professor) and University of Cologne (Full Professor) before returning to Bern in 2009 as Institute Director. He holds a PhD (1997) and Habilitation (2003) from the University of Bern following studies at Mannheim University and Indiana University.
His research centers on empirical social research methods, game theory, environmental sociology, and social capital/networks. Franzen has published approximately 80 journal articles in outlets including Global Environmental Change, Experimental Economics, and Social Networks, alongside books on environmental behavior and social capital. Current teaching includes courses on structural equation modeling, survey research methods, and empirical research internships.
Analysis of his recent publications reveals consistent focus on Swiss environmental behavior (electromobility, recycling), social capital dynamics (clubs, associations), and methodological innovations in experimental design. His work frequently employs longitudinal data and survey analysis, bridging sociological theory with practical policy applications in environmental governance and social organization.
Franzen maintains active engagement with public discourse through numerous media appearances including SRF Tagesschau (migration integration), neue Energie magazine (renewable energy acceptance), and Kurier (game theory applications). His press coverage spans environmental governance ('Governing the Commons' farm outlets study), quiz show analytics, and climate change perceptions.
As Institute Director, he oversees research operations at Bern's sociology hub while maintaining active supervision of empirical projects. His administrative leadership complements his scholarly contributions to understanding collective action, environmental decision-making, and social network effects in contemporary societies.
