GESIS Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences: Go to homepage
Center of Excellence Women and Science

KIT-Survey

Survey to evaluate the current situation of women professors at KIT

Project duration: 01.09.2021 - 31.10.2022

Project lead: Dr. Andrea Löther; Dr. Nina Steinweg (substitute)

Processed by: Helena Geisler

Project description:

The study aims to survey and analyze the general conditions under which female professors work at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Issues are gender-specific aspects and possible gender inequalities in the work situation of female professors. The strategic project of the KIT has the following data basis for the investigation:

  • KIT-internal data on salaries and resources and the internal visibility of professors (data collection since 01.02.2021),
  • an online survey of all KIT professors,
  • in-depth interviews with female professors.

We use a mixed-methods approach to collect representative data on salaries, resources and perceptions, assessments and experiences of the working and organizational climate, as well as to gain in-depth knowledge about the (subjective) evaluations of the work situation by female professors and the perception of discrimination.

The analysis of the empirical results will lead to recommendations for action to improve existing gender equality policy measures and, if necessary, develop new measures. Due to this objective, the study follows a participatory approach with immediate feedback to the client and the participation of relevant actors in an accompanying group. KIT committees will discuss the study’s results.

Materials/ Activities:

At the end of August 2022, the German and English questionnaires of the KIT survey were published:  

In addition to methodological notes on programming and coding, reference is made to questions that have been used in other (inter)national studies on working and organizational climate/ gender inequalities in higher education. They were the basis for the questionnaire construction.

On 05.05.2022, the project team discussed initial results with the KIT steering group.

The online survey ended on 30.01.2022. With 50.4%, a satisfactory response rate was achieved.

The online survey of professors (all genders) started on time on 10.01.2022. The focus of the survey is the current situation of the professors at KIT (all genders), especially the satisfaction with resources and the working atmosphere.

Funded by:

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)