The Situation of Female Professors at KIT

The project aims to assess and analyze the working conditions of female professors at KIT, with the direct involvement of the researchers concerned. Building on the 2021 survey, a further online survey of all faculty members was conducted in 2025. This was complemented by data analyses on compensation, resources, and visibility.

Among other topics, participants were asked how they perceive both their working conditions and the broader environment at KIT, and whether they are satisfied with their available resources, workload, and capacity utilization. As in the first survey, the analyses conducted as part of the second survey found no systematic gender pay gap. In most areas, the situation for women had improved further compared with the initial survey.

With a response rate of 48%, the online survey provided a comprehensive picture of working conditions and the work environment at KIT.

Zwei Frauen analysieren Finanzdokumente mit Taschenrechner, Laptop und Münzen auf einem Tisch. pexels.com (CC)

A selection of the results:

  • 74% of respondents (84.9% of women) (fully) agreed that they had felt appreciated during their tenure or retention negotiations. (This represents a slight decline compared to the first survey, in which men were more likely and women less likely to (fully) agree.)
  • About 80% of respondents—a slightly higher proportion than in the first survey—would recommend KIT as an employer. (This is primarily due to a 20% increase among women compared to the first survey.)
  • Only about 55% of respondents were (somewhat) satisfied with their work-life balance, showing no change from the first survey.
  • Only 32% of respondents (somewhat) agreed with the statement that they have opportunities to influence important strategic decisions at KIT. Nevertheless, this represents a slight improvement compared to the first survey.
  • Women reported, almost without exception, experiencing and/or observing discrimination or verbal abuse more frequently than men. This was also the case in the first survey.

The results were presented and discussed in KIT’s governing bodies.

Measures to promote gender equality will continue in order to further improve the situation.

A third survey of all KIT faculty members is planned for 2027/28.