ELLpH - Initial situation and objectives of the research project

Research on non-state universities is a desideratum in Germany. Although private higher education is becoming increasingly important in Europe, it is comparatively underdeveloped in Germany in international comparison. Nevertheless, the literature emphasizes the potential of private universities as a driver of reform, as their independence from the state gives them more freedom of action. Accordingly, it can be assumed that private universities have less funding security and greater influence from external stakeholders, which in turn forces them to adapt more quickly to their environment.

In this joint project, we would therefore like to analyze teaching-learning concepts and their framework conditions at non-state universities on three levels: the governance level, the level of teaching-learning concepts at the universities and the expectations of students and teachers with regard to teaching-learning concepts. The overarching question of this joint project is:

What are the factors influencing the implementation of new teaching and learning concepts at private universities in Germany?

The project is being carried out in cooperation between the Center for Higher Education at TU Dortmund University and the Junior Professorship for Innovative and Digital Methods of Teaching and Learning in Multiprofessional Health Care at Witten/Herdecke University.

Project duration: 01.09.2023 to 31.08.2026