Our present is marked by multiple crises: epidemics, extreme weather events, and, in particular, the growing threat to internal and external security pose challenges to society and require a strengthening of resilience structures and a “turning point” in civil protection as well. In crisis and disaster situations, findings from social science research are essential for identifying societal consequences and determining the need for political action. This is based on quality-assured empirical data on population, businesses, and companies.

The CrisesData project builds on the work of the project “Vulnerability, Preparedness, and Resilience in Crises—Data Infrastructures for Researching Social Crisis Phenomena,” which concluded in 2025. The goal is to expand and improve data infrastructures for social science research on crises and disasters. This includes improved access to crisis-related data from various academic disciplines and non-academic contexts, the collection of proven crisis-related survey instruments, and the development of corresponding modules for use in population surveys. In addition, network structures are to be created that facilitate coordination among researchers, data producers, and practitioners in acute crisis and disaster situations.

As part of the project, a working paper was published that analyzes some of the most important survey studies on long-term social observation in Germany, identifies existing gaps regarding crisis-related content, derives insights and research needs from these findings, and proposes concrete implementation measures.

The online information platform for crisis- and disaster-related data, krisendaten.de, will be evaluated, consolidated, and expanded. Through networking meetings and the exchange of best practices, the network of representatives from crisis and disaster research, research data infrastructures, and practical civil protection will be strengthened and expanded. Finally, a coordination center will be established to enable a rapid response and the provision of data in acute crisis and disaster situations.