Center for Comparative
Research on Democracy

Projects

JuDem

Judiciary and Democracy: Unravelling Present Challenges, Activating Future Potentials

JuDem goes beyond defending the judiciary against authoritarian threats and asks a deeper question: what should the judiciary look like in the democracy of the future? It recognizes that liberal democracies face global challenges such as climate change, inequality, digitalization, and polarization, and thus need to be reimagined. The project sees the judiciary not just as a guardian of the rule of law but as an active agent in shaping democratic futures. Bringing together scholars, judges, and human rights advocates from Germany, Turkey, and beyond, JuDem transforms the task of protecting democracy into one of reinventing it.

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Events & News

JuDem Launch Event

Date & Time: November 17, 2025 – Monday at 18:00

Venue: Humboldt Graduate School, Festsaal, Luisenstr. 56, 10117 Berlin
The event is organized by the CCRD in collaboration with the Law and Society Institute and the American Academy in Berlin

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Cities and the Rule of Law

Dr. Gülçin Balamir Coşkun will speak at the “Cities and the Rule of Law” event at the European Parliament on 18 November. Organized with the Pact of Free Cities, the event gathers mayors, policymakers, and academics to highlight cities’ role in defending democracy. She will contribute to a panel exploring cities’ role in maintaining the rule of law and democracy.

About

The Center for Comparative Research on Democracy (CCRD) at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is an interdisciplinary platform for the study of democracy in its diverse forms and transformations. Founded in 2021, the Center explores the conditions that sustain democratic life as well as the dynamics of de-democratization and autocratization.

Bringing together scholars from political science, sociology, philosophy, and law, CCRD fosters comparative and critical perspectives on democratic practices and institutions. Based in Berlin’s vibrant academic and civic environment, it connects researchers, public institutions, and civil society actors through collaborative projects, conferences, and public events. CCRD also supports early-career scholars and promotes international exchange on the challenges and futures of democracy.