Gender relations in the sciences

Despite positive developments with respect to the situation of women in leadership positions at German universities and research institutions, there are current inequalities of opportunities to be seen. Germany continues to bring up the rear in European comparisons. Unfounded assumptions as to the causes of gender-specific differences in career path as well as barriers to the reception of extant findings amongst the decision makers stand in opposition to the realization of equal opportunity in the sciences. This persistence of gender-asymmetry is accompanied by intensive university policy efforts from the political side and by researcher’s steadily growing interest in the respective research questions. GESIS research in this area currently focuses on the following topics:

Monitoring and evaluation of equal opportunity measures in science

Both the scientific discussion and current developments in science policy (The Federal and State Women Professors Program, research based equal opportunity standards of the German Research Foundation, DFG) have demonstrated the need to build up a similarly high level of knowledge on the question of the effects of equal opportunity measures as that which exists surrounding the career paths of women scientists. GESIS contributes significantly via evaluation studies.

Gender research on science structures and careers in science

Against the background of recent substantial gains in knowledge, there still remain considerable holes regarding what is known about gender aspects in science. Most notably, it can be pointed out that there is an insufficient level of knowledge regarding the effective mechanisms of scientific structures and their interactions with gender, life-situation and role-orientation. GESIS pushes ahead the further development of this research field with its own research projects.

Compatibility / Work-Life-Balance

Compatibility of familial responsibilities and a scientific career has become a virulently and intensely discussed topic against the background of the low number of children being had by scientists as well as the working conditions found in the sciences. Research done at GESIS yields fundamental knowledge at the individual and structural levels on the conditions for successfully bringing together a career in science and family for both sexes.

Social origin / Migration

In addition to the category of gender, ethnic and social origin also play an essential role for access to a scientific career and higher positions in science. The interplay of migration and gender has thus far not really been intensely discussed and researched in Germany. GESIS takes this question on with the goal of stimulating an intense discourse on science and migration.

External Funded Projects

  • Evaluation Gesundheitsforschung
  • INTEGER - INstitutional Transformation for Effecting Gender Equality in Research
  • Evaluation Kinderbetreuung
  • Hochschulische Gleichstellungsstrukturen im Wandel (HGiW)
  • eFFektiv! Für mehr Familienfreundlichkeit an deutschen Hochschulen