Dr. Rainer Land was born in 1952. He studied philosophy and economic science at Humboldt University in East Berlin. In 1986 he started working on concepts for reforms in the former GDR at Humboldt University. Later he managed the archive for reform discussions inside the SED [Socialist Unity Party of Germany]. After reunification he also researched the transformation process of the East German agriculture and industry and its social implications.

Since 1992 he has worked as editor of the magazine Berliner Debatte Initial, and from 1996 he acted as its chief editor. In 2002 he founded the Thuenen-Institut for Regional Development. In 2005 he supported an initiative to build a new network for research on East Germany and to refocus questions that need to be considered. Dr Land has published various books: both popular and academic.