The Institute for Parliamentarism Research (IParl) organised its first Academy on Parliamentarism in March 2023. As part of the one-week conference programme, young academics (advanced students and doctoral candidates) learned about methods of parliamentarism research. In addition to a round table discussion with parliamentary practitioners and visits to the Bundestag and Bundesrat, all participants were given insights into the work of members of the Bundestag as part of a "constituency day". In addition, recognised parliamentary experts offered learning units on various topics.
On day one theoretical and empirical foundations of parliamentarism research were discussed, from parliamentary functions to the importance of comparative criteria. Day two focussed on legal and historical perspectives of German parliamentarism, including the Basic Law, the relationship between the Bundestag and the Federal Constitutional Court and the role of parliamentary party groups. Afterwards, the empirical method of comparative parliamenttary analysis was introduced, with explanations of different systems of government and types of democracy. The fourth day was concerned with parliaments' ability to function in crisis situations. Prof Patrick Sensburg (former Member of Parliament, Cologne University of Police and Public Administration), Armand Zorn (Member of Parliament, SPD) and Catarina dos Santos (Member of Parliament, CDU) discussed the issue of personnel renewal in parliaments in a panel discussion. Finally, a wide range of topics were discussed with the ever topical subject of electoral law reform.
In addition to the seminar content, the participants had the opportunity to present completed or ongoing research work to an interested and expert audience. A more detailed conference report can be found here.
A new edition of the IParl Academy is being planned; further information will be published at a later date.
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