Education, Science and Humanities

The Education and Work section works on funding programmes and studies related to the world of work, the labour market, and lifelong learning. In the area of the world of work, the focus is on issues of work system design and the digitisation of work (especially digital sovereignty). In the area of the labour market, the analysis of trends with regard to new qualification requirements is particularly important. In addition to vocational training and continuing education and academic continuing education, lifelong learning is also one of the section’s main topics.

Head: Dr. Alexandra Shajek

The Science System section deals with overarching and structural issues relating to science and higher education in funding programmes and studies. The section focuses in particular on scientific career paths as well as data and indicators in the higher education and science sector (higher education statistics, research data management, bibliometrics).

Head: Dr. Nicolas Winterhager

The Digital Education Infrastructure and Education Ecosystems section focuses on innovations in the field of digital education. This includes the technical and systemic design of digital education infrastructures and the interaction of actors in a digital or hybrid education landscape. Funding programmes and analyses focus on the entire education chain as well as interfaces and transitions between educational sectors. The section’s main topics include the use of artificial intelligence in education, innovative learning and networking platforms, digital and hybrid learning, collaboration, and examination formats, open educational media, digital credentials, data rooms, and future skills in the context of digital transformation.

Head: Dr. Katia Tödt

The New Knowledge Networks section supports key transformations and learning processes in the course of the digitisation and internationalisation of education and science. It provides strategic advice on fundamental issues of education and research policy. To this end, it develops action-oriented and evidence-based responses to the design of increasingly networked processes for sustainable and globally compatible education and research systems. In addition to strategy development and technical and conceptual support for funding measures, its tasks and competencies include networking activities at national and international level, as well as the implementation of digitally supported, co-creative innovation processes at the interfaces of education, science, and policy. As transformation and methodology experts with a focus on digitalisation and internationalisation, key topics include data-driven innovation in education and science, future skills (such as scientific literacy, data and digital skills), and lifelong learning (including micro-credentials and micro-degrees).

Head: Dr. Andrea Kölbel

The Digital University and Digital Science section is involved in funding programmes and studies on digitalisation in higher education teaching and administration, as well as the digital transformation of science. Key topics include the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education and research, open science, digital research infrastructures and data, and data literacy in science.

Head: Andrea Repen