UNIversal: A Failure? Reading and Discussion

How do students and staff experience everyday life at universities—and why do so many reach their limits within the academic system? Why does quality teaching often fall short of its potential? What role do power structures, a lack of appreciation, and teaching that is sensitive to discrimination play in everyday university life? And what would need to change so that universities become places where people can work and learn long-term under fair conditions?

Educational researcher and author Lisa Niendorf will address these questions during a book presentation at TU Dresden. Drawing on her book *“UNIversal gescheitert?”*, she will discuss the challenges facing the German academic system: fixed-term employment, pressure to perform, abuse of power, and hierarchical dependencies, as well as the consequences of chronic underfunding and its impact on research, teaching, and student life. She will also explore how teaching that is sensitive to discrimination can be successful and why appreciation is a central prerequisite for good universities.

Lisa Niendorf, known on social media as FrauForschung, conducts research on education and higher education policy, and her analyses and insights reach a broad audience even beyond the academic community. Her goal is to make complex developments understandable and to conduct the debate on the future of higher education, research, and teaching in a way that is accessible to everyone.

The event will open with a welcome address by the Rector of TU Dresden. The event will be moderated by Maja Steinhaus, an education specialist and sociologist.

Following the book presentation, there will be an opportunity to speak with the author. Together, we want to discuss what reforms universities need, how good working and studying conditions can be achieved, and what prospects exist for a more equitable academic system.

Thursday, July 30, 6:30 p.m.

TU Dresden, courtyard of the Fritz-Förster Building ( Mommsenstraße 6)
(http://navigator.tu-dresden.de/karten/dresden/geb/foe)

(The courtyard is accessible. In case of rain, the event will take place in room FOE/0244/H.)