Chair of Political Science, Social Data Science

Portrait of Prof. Marc Ratkovic

Professor Marc Ratkovic, Ph.D.

Welcome to our website!  Here at the Chair of Social Data Science, we are working to integrate machine learning and deep learning methods into practical social science methodology.  The research and teaching at the chair focuses on utilizing Large Language Models (LLMs) for statistical inference and causal inference.  Our work has appeared in top journals across political science, statistics, and computer science.

We are building a team of top researchers, an integrated server system, a Masters level curriculum, and a series of events all focused on pushing quantitative and computational social science forwards. 

You can find more information throughout this site.
Thank you for your interest!

Profile Join Our Team!

Highlights in Research & Teaching

Logo of the GRTL Lab, two children in front of a background that combines a gingerbread house and a platine
The Global Responsible Technology Lab

Interdisciplinary research lab studying AI and data‑driven technologies with a focus on governance, ethics, and public policy to assess their impact on power, inequality, and public institutions

Logo of the TRAPP project - a curved orange arrow pointing to the upper right before a dark blue shield with a constellation-like pattern next to the letters "TRAPP TRafficing Risks: AI for Proactive Protection"
Trafficking Risks: AI for Proactive Protection (TRAPP)

Developing AI‑driven decision support for law enforcement to combat child trafficking and strengthen child protection in India

Group of sudents attending a lecture
Speeding Up Social Science

Exploring AI for scientific writing through international, workshop‑driven research (collaboration with Prof. Gschwend and Springer Nature)

Marc Ratkovic giving a talk to students in a lecture hall at the Schloss
Master Programs and Doctoral Classes

Teaching in MMSDS, MMDS and CDSS programs with courses, workshops, and seminars across all levels.

Our Corporate Partners

News

Foto des Hörsaals bei Academic Speed Dating während eines Keynote Vortrags
Academic Speed Dating – Spring Semester 2026: Experiments and Causal Research with AI
Around 35 researchers from across disciplines came together at the University of Mannheim for the latest edition of the Academic Speed Dating. Under the theme “Experiments and Causal Research with AI”, the event combined inspiring keynotes, short research presentations, and lively ...
Portraitfoto der Forscherin Eirliani Abdul Rahman. Sie trägt einen schwarze Brille und einen schwarzen Rollkragenpullover.
Harvard Researcher Seeks Refuge at the University of Mannheim
Researcher Eirliani Abdul Rahman, who holds a doctorate from Harvard University, transferred to the University of Mannheim in early March thanks to funding from the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung. The program for international academic freedom is supporting her with around EUR 1.8 million, enabling a ...
US flag
Talk at the Schloss: The current situation in the United States of America
Prof. Ratkovic will be giving a talk on Thursday March 10, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in lecture hall SN 169 Röchling Hörsaal (Schloss Schneckenhof Nord). download date His talk will be titled “The current situation in the United States of America”. Topics covered in the lecture include the United States ...
A group of six men in front of the logo for the Spark Event 26
Talk at NATO Innovation Continuum 2026 SPARK Event
Prof. Ratkovic was a speaker at the NATO Innovation Continuum 2026 SPARK Event, where he gave a talk titled „Targeted Behavioral Risk Intelligence: Early Detection and Intervention on Radicalization“. The NATO Innovation Continuum is a strategic framework designed by NATO Allied Command ...

Contact

Portrait of Dr. Birgitta Schirmer.

Dr. Birgitta Schirmer

Secretary / Foreign Language Assistant
The secretariat is best contacted by e-mail or via MS Teams.
University of Mannheim
School for Social Sciences
Political Science, Social Data Science
A 5, 6
Building B – Room B129
68159 Mannheim