Project leaders: Prof Dr Karin Flaake, Prof Dr Heike Fleßner

Research assistants: Dipl. Sozialwiss. Almut Kirschbaum, Dipl. Sozialwiss. Dorothee Noeres

Duration: 1.1.2002 - 31.12.2003

The first significant decline in the proportion of women on academic qualification and career paths can be seen in the transition to doctoral studies. A study on gender-specific promotion and support structures at universities in Lower Saxony focussed on this phase. It was based on the analysis of subject-specific data material on degrees and doctorates, the awarding of graduate scholarships and academic staff positions as well as interviews with experts from administrations, Schools and Equal Opportunities Offices. Subject-specific framework conditions and support structures that open up different opportunities for women and men to do a doctorate became clear. On the basis of these results and their discussion with experts at a final workshop, perspectives for systematic gender-equitable doctoral funding were developed, which were incorporated into a corresponding gender equality-orientated advisory activity for the Presidential Board of the University of Oldenburg.

Key publications :

Flaake, Karin/Fleßner, Heike/Kirschbaum, Almut/Noeres, Dorothee (2005): Promotion of doctorates and gender. On the significance of gender-specific selection processes in the promotion of doctorates at universities in Lower Saxony, Oldenburg