At WU, research is primarily carried out at the eleven departments and their associated institutes. Most of WU’s researchers are employed at the various departments, where they work on WU’s main research areas.

WU has also established research institutes to accommodate the many research topics that cut across department boundaries and require interdisciplinary work. The activities of WU’s research institutes include both applied and fundamental research. Research institutes are separate organizational units that work on specific inter- or transdisciplinary research programs that touch upon the subjects studied at various departments. Their objective is to stimulate cooperation across departments and expand existing research expertise. Their research programs are based on a general research topic and build upon previous research achievements recognized as relevant. WU’s research institutes are usually funded by third parties. WU also has five competence centers, the third major type of organizational unit in WU’s academic architecture, besides departments and research institutes.

The competence centers fulfill a coordinative function in research, teaching, continuing education, and consulting. Their objective is also to strengthen WU’s profile in research by emphasizing specific topics.