From face-to-face seminars to virtual teaching: Universities in Germany have been impacted by significant restrictions due to the Corona pandemic, which has drastically affected both teaching and research. For instance, most teaching has been undertaken on a virtual basis, as have research partnerships and faculty collaborations.

Accordingly, in cooperation with the Bavarian State Institute for Higher Education Research and Planning (IHF), the bidt is examining repercussions from the Corona pandemic on universities’ digitalisation programmes.

To this end, the project analyses professors’ assessments of how progress on digitalisation at universities and universities of applied sciences in Bavaria has changed because of the Corona pandemic. It also looks at the challenges faced by professors as a result of digitalisation during the pandemic.

The project team is also looking at how Bavarian students have experienced the digitalisation of their universities and in particular what new issues they have had to cope with.

Survey data from professors in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Lower Saxony and Saxony make it possible to compare Bavaria with other federal states regarding digitalisation.

Hence, it is possible not only to identify difficulties associated with digitalisation, but also to point out areas in need of improvement. In this way, recommendations for action can be developed to shape universities’ successful and sustainable development towards digitalisation.