Science and Higher Education

Abstract

: Science and higher education in Germany have undergone profound changes over the last 20 years. Here one might think of New Public Management reforms, the Bologna Process, or the Excellence Initiative. At the same time, basic tenets of the German system, such as the strong role of the professoriate, the absence of tuition fees, and the diversified structure of public research institutions have remained unchanged. This makes Germany an intriguing case for sociological research. Following a macro – meso – micro logic, we present the major findings of that research, highlighting theoretical contributions, empirical findings, and methodological inno-vations, as well as future perspectives on the study of change and continuity of science and higher education in Germany.