The transfer of knowledge, technologies and methods between higher education institutions and society opens up a wide range of opportunities: it strengthens the societal impact of research, inspires practice-oriented research questions (e.g. for businesses) and promotes inter- and transdisciplinary
However, the path to a successful transfer also presents challenges. These issues are discussed in Special Issue IV of *Political Science Applied* (PSCA) by experts from the German higher education sector. The editors of this special issue are Prof. Dr Janina Evers (FOM) and Dr Valerie Dahl (ccst). The special issue can be downloaded free of charge here: PSCA Special Issue IV.