The Hub of East European Studies
The Federal Institute for East European and International Studies
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Five years have passed since the Federal Institute for East European and International Studies (BIOst) was closed down. As a liaison office between Eastern European Studies and the German government, the interdisciplinary oriented BIOst was a novelty. In round after round of talks, political scientists, economists, and legal experts regularly had to compare the state of their knowledge. BIOst worked for several ministries, but its real value lay in research. The institute was neither monopolised by any ministry, nor did it pay attention to the climate in academia. It was an open house where students worked and journalists found discussion partners. Scholars in turn gained insights through these contacts that were hardly possible anywhere else.
(Osteuropa 12/2005, pp. 163–199)