Chair of Political Science, Social Data Science

Portraitfoto von 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

A group picture of the members of the GRTL Alliance; left to right: Prof. Ann Kristin Glenster (Cambridge), Prof. Beate Ochsner (Konstanz, on screen), Prof. Marc Ratkovic (Mannheim) and Dr. Eirliani Abdul Rahman (Mannheim).
First Meeting of the GRTL Alliance
The GRTL Alliance held its first-ever meeting in Mannheim on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, marking an important step in strengthening international collaboration in this emerging field. The meeting brought together Prof. Ann Kristin Glenster (Cambridge University), who travelled to Mannheim for the ...
SWR Aktuell BW logo
SWR Interview on Research Excellence and Global Impact
Professor Ratkovic and Dr. Abdul Rahman were featured in a television segment for SWR Aktuell, a state-wide TV news magazine, highlighting their work at the University of Mannheim and the broader role of cutting-edge social science research in addressing global challenges. In the interview, Dr. ...
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.
Forscherin aus Harvard sucht Zuflucht an der Universität Mannheim
Die an der Harvard University promovierte Forscherin Eirliani Abdul Rahman wechselte Anfang März dank einer Förderung der Baden-Württemberg Stiftung an die Universität Mannheim. Das Programm für internationale Wissenschafts­freiheit unter­stützt sie mit rund 1,8 Millionen Euro und ermöglicht ihr einen ...

Contact

Portraitfoto von Dr. Birgitta Schirmer.

Dr. Birgitta Schirmer

Fremdsprach­ensekretärin
Das Sekretariat ist am besten per E–Mail oder über MS Teams erreichbar.
Universität Mannheim
Fakultät für Sozial­wissenschaften
Politik­wissenschaft, Social Data Science
A 5, 6
Bauteil B – Raum B129
68159 Mannheim