Dr Sandra Kirchhoff

Swantje Fischer

The “Survey of Professors on the Burden of Committee Work” at the University of Oldenburg is being carried out on behalf of the Planning and Development Unit and is a measure enshrined in the Equality Plan.

The aim of the study is to assess the extent of committee work and the associated workload for professors. The focus is on the research questions: to what extent do professors at the UOL undertake committee work; how burdensome is this work perceived to be; and what measures could help to alleviate the burden or provide support? In particular, the study aims to analyse gender-specific differences and identify areas for structural improvements.

The results will provide an empirical basis for assessing the burdens associated with committee work and will support the development of recommendations for measures to improve working conditions and equal opportunities.

Objectives of the project:

1. To assess the current situation regarding committee work undertaken by professors
2. Highlighting existing stressors
3. Comparison of female and male professors
4. To discuss possible measures to alleviate the workload and derive recommendations

The study is expected to be carried out during the summer semester of 2026 as a one-off, anonymous and voluntary survey of all professors at the University of Oldenburg.

Data will be collected via a quantitative online survey. The survey instrument is a questionnaire developed specifically for this research purpose, which primarily covers various aspects of committee work (including time commitment, workload, benefits and ways to reduce the workload).

The data will be analysed using quantitative methods.