The prof*panel —
That is why we would like to survey you, as professors.
The paths to professorship have been in flux in Germany for several years. The nationwide tenure track program and the introduction of the junior professorship in 2002 have permanently changed the paths to professorship. The declared aim of the reforms: Career paths in science should become more predictable and transparent.
But what do the careers of professors in Germany look like? So far, little is known about this. There is no well-founded database for Germany with which the careers of professors can be described and examined. The aim of the prof*panel is therefore to make the diversity of professors' careers investigable for the first time.
The prof*panel is conducted by the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies. Of course, we place the highest demands on the protection of your data. Your data is safe with us and is carefully anonymised so that re-identification of individuals is not possible.
For more information on the survey, click here.
That is why your participation is important...
Participation in the prof*panel is of course voluntary. However, with your participation, you will be making an important contribution to science policy and society, as it will be possible for the first time to describe the professoriate in Germany and their careers.
The data collected also form an important basis for the work of your colleagues in science and higher education research. The prof*panel data is made available to the scientific community in a carefully anonymised form via the Research Data Centre of the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies.
Your data is protected!
A survey like the prof*panel needs the trust of the participants in the careful handling of their answers. Without this trust, a study like the prof*panel would not even be possible!
Your data will therefore only be analysed anonymously. It is therefore not possible at any time to identify individual respondents based on personal data or their answers.
Your participation is of course voluntary and all information will be treated confidentially.
Further information on data protection can be found here.
What are participants asked about?
In the first prof*panel survey in the summer of 2022, the focus is primarily on collecting central basic information. The range of topics includes the current professional position and career to date, research activities, but also basic sociodemographic characteristics such as gender and family situation of the participants. This makes it possible for the first time to provide a more in-depth description and analysis of the composition of the professoriate at universities in Germany.
Here you will find an overview of the topics of the first survey in the summer of 2022.
When do the surveys take place?
The first prof*panel survey is planned for summer 2022 and will take about 25 minutes. The first follow-up survey is expected to take place in spring 2023. Thereafter, follow-up surveys will take place at annual intervals.
Who is responsible for the prof*panel study?
For the implementation of this interdisciplinary project, we, a team from the department "Educational Careers and Graduate Employment" of the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW), have been able to gain scientific support from professors from the disciplines of economics, law, and sociology.
Get to know the prof*panel team and supporters better here.
Questions & Answers
Are you interested in who is conducting the study? Or are you looking for answers to questions such as why you were invited to participate in prof*panel or how your data will be used?
Click here for answers to frequently asked questions.
Your career paths count!
For the prof*panel study, we examine how the paths to professorship have changed in recent years and thus provide a sound basis for political decisions.
The statements of each individual are very important. With your answers, each and every one of you contributes to prof*panel ability to accompany the changes in the German science system with scientifically sound results and thus identify possible difficulties and obstacles at an early stage. For this, we need your commitment!
