In the area of teacher training-related research, the DiZ carries out initiating and coordinating tasks across subject and faculty boundaries (see DiZ regulations). In order to strengthen interdisciplinary research and the promotion of early career researchers, the Research Academy and the "Teacher Education 2040" Research Training Group, which is funded by the university itself, were established on a temporary basis. These have been operating since autumn 2020 until October 2024 in accordance with the tasks assigned by the Presidential Board.

The establishment is based, among other things, on the results of the external evaluation procedures of the Scientific Commission of Lower Saxony (WKN) from 2011 and 2016.

The Presidential Board evaluated the work of the Research Academy and commissioned the agency evalag to carry out the evaluation process of the Research Academy. This agency specialises in particular in institutional evaluations of universities or sub-areas (e.g. scientific centres) and institutional evaluations of research institutions.

Key data on the procedure

• 04.10.2022
  Coordination of the catalogue of criteria for the evaluation by the Presidential Board on the basis of the tasks and development goals specified in the institutional resolutions
• 18.07.2023
  Submission of the UOL's self-evaluation report to the agency in accordance with the reporting requirements
• External experts
  • Prof Dr Birgit Brouër (Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel)
  • Prof Dr Isabell van Ackeren-Mindl (University of Duisburg-Essen)
  • Prof Dr Bardo Herzig (University of Paderborn)
• 16.11.2023
  Online visit with the participation of relevant personnel representatives (Council for Research, Research Cluster, group of successful applicants, Research Training Group "Teacher Education 2040", researchers in the qualification phase, 3GO)
• 19.02.2024
  Presentation of the expert opinion on the probationary status of the Research Academy

Conclusion of the review process

The expert group unanimously assesses the development and achievement of objectives of the Research Academy and the Research Training Group "Teacher Education 2040" as positive - especially in view of the establishment of research-oriented "Schools of Education" in Germany in recent years and the need for a scientific foundation and research-based teaching degree programmes recently stated by the German Rectors' Conference and the Standing Scientific Commission of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder.

In the reviewers' opinion, the stakeholders - employees, managers, committee representatives and participating academics at all qualification levels - have achieved an impressive development and networking performance with great commitment and in a short period of time. In the opinion of the experts, this has created a good basis for dynamically advancing relevant research activities and strengthening future third-party funding from the DFG, the BMBF or at EU level.

In their report, the experts provide structural, content-related and resource-related recommendations for the continuation/strengthening of the Research Academy in Oldenburg's teacher training programme.