The Research Center studies the transformation process of the universities of the future from different perspectives (institutional and personnel) and formulates evidence-based recommendations for action for decision-makers from universities, politics and practice.
Universities have been undergoing an ongoing reform process for more than 30 years: the new governance model, university cost accounting, Bologna and New Public Management are just a few of the buzzwords that have prompted reforms in recent decades. This is accompanied by the continuous change in the world of work due to globalization and digitization. On the one hand, this means that digital (basic) skills are indispensable as future competencies and should therefore be taught broadly during studies. On the other hand, an increasing devaluation and disruption of university degrees can be observed. This change entails new requirements for universities in general, but also in terms of study content, study skills and study design, etc. (keyword: Study 4.0). In addition, traditional forms of teaching, learning and working, as well as role models, need to be rethought in many places and made fit for the future.
Universities initially found it a little difficult to adapt and modernize, not only in terms of the digital transformation of the institution of higher education, but also in terms of developing or incorporating contemporary and future-oriented competencies into the curricula. And even if the Corona effect led to great activity in the digitization of teaching, the universities of the future will need above all
With its diverse subject matter, higher education research offers the possibility of coherently researching heterogeneous subject areas from higher education, occupation, education and science due to its definitional openness.
The aim of the research unit is to explore the transformation process from different perspectives (institutional and personal) and to formulate evidence-based recommendations for action for decision-makers in higher education, politics and practice.
The research unit is headed by
Professor Dr. Yvette Hofmann.
Already during her academic education she was interested in the specifics of corporate culture, change management, leadership as well as employee motivation in non-profit organizations.
Several research stays led her to the University of British Columbia, Vancouver/Canada.
In addition, she worked for a long time for the Bavarian State Institute for Higher Education Research and Planning in Munich.
In addition, she has accompanied universities and schools in their reform and transformation processes for many years.