Psychologist Aline Vater is studying the topic of narcissism for her doctoral dissertation, which she is writing within the Languages of Emotion Cluster of Excellence at Freie Universität Berlin. Narcissism is a personality trait that can be present to a greater or lesser degree. Psychologists and organizational researchers have often found that the trait is more highly developed among those in positions of leadership.

Once upon a time he was truly a horror to behold, with bloodshot eyes, cadaverously white skin, and pointed fangs. He slept in a coffin, shunned sunlight, and fed on the blood of the living – the vampire. But the image of the insatiable bloodsucker has changed: The monster has disappeared, becoming practically a dream son-in-law, a good-looking charmer with a sense of family.

Are inefficient structures and behavioral patterns among doctors, patients themselves, or within the healthcare system as a whole responsible for this situation? Annette Reuter, a doctoral student at Freie Universität Berlin, is using diabetes treatment as a case study to examine the background behind medical routines from a social science perspective.