Outlook

D1 Research desiderata and future priorities

Identification of multifaceted desiderata to academic career paths: This report identifies several research desiderata in fields that have been somewhat overlooked. These include doctoral studies in non- university contexts, equal opportunities, international status and international mobility, the long- term effects of the pandemic, qualification paths leading to a professorship and a clearer definition of the term academic qualification.

D2 Further development of data and concepts

Although official statistics have improved enormously, there are still data gaps: Since 1 March 2016, when the amended German Higher Education Statistics Act (HStatG) came into effect, the data collected for higher education statistics has been extended. The introduction of doctoral statistics and new features in university staff statistics have created new evaluation options for the National Report. However, an analysis carried out by the Federal Statistical Office on the completeness and data quality of doctoral statistics still found data gaps in the years covered by the National Report on Early Career Researchers 2025. These gaps are expected to have been addressed by the time the next report is published.

The IIPED data, which was used for the first time as the basis for the focus chapter of the National Report 2021, has been integrated into the standard monitoring. The IIPED data has proved to be particularly informative when combined with the longitudinal surveys from the DZHW (Doctoral Panel and SLC). Objective information on the employment history of doctorate holders, such as their contractual status or income, could thereby be connected to the subjective assessments of doctorate holders, including the adequacy of their posts and their job satisfaction.

With the improved official statistics, IIPED data and information from other (longitudinal) surveys, the National Report can now draw on a comprehensive set of conclusive information on the situation of early career researchers in Germany. The endeavours of all parties involved in collating and processing the relevant data are commendable. Nonetheless, many sections of the report highlight potential for improvement in terms of data. The quality of existing datasets should therefore be reviewed on a regular basis, with the data expanded or modified as required. It is important to emphasise that future National Reports will not require more data but rather an improvement in the quality of existing surveys.

D3 Ongoing development of the report

Three variations are presented for the further development of the report, which could also be implemented in combination:

• The first option consists of extending the concept of the report. Rather than concentrating solely on early career researchers, the spotlight could be turned onto the career trajectories of academics and researchers as a group.

• The second option would be to adopt a chronological approach. The first National Report on Early Career Researchers was published in 2008, thus the forthcoming report will mark 20 years of reporting. The next National Report will therefore examine key indicators and developments over time.

• The third option is to reduce the reporting interval. In addition to the National Report, which is only published every four years, continuous reporting could be implemented, mainly on the newly created website (buwik.de).