The main research programme’s four research units are embedded in an overarching structure that relates to the main programme in three ways:
- it aims to synthesize the emerging results in the four research units;
- it focuses on cross-cutting issues that affect several research units;
- it examines both broader and more specific questions related to the overall programme and thus complements the four thematic units conceptually and methodologically.
The researchers at ZMO cooperate in different ways across all research units. In the past they have jointly published edited volumes or papers and they organised several conferences together. A number of third-party funded or individual research projects complement the main research programme.