"Universities are confronted with a multitude of uncertainties, challenges, and expectations that require institutional action to be adapted. External and internal factors have had a significant impact on how uncertainties are dealt with in various areas of higher education; a dynamic environment and social and economic change have reinforced the focus on target groups in higher education systems. In addition to the core tasks of universities (research and teaching), services in the area of the third mission are also considered to be genuine fields of activity for an institution.

The diverse tasks lead to increased complexity in management, quality development, and goal definition, as well as in the self-image of university activities. Thus, not only has the service portfolio of a university grown, but the influenceability of institutions from outside and inside has also changed. With the increase in requirements, the scope and depth of the individual factors influencing university activities have also increased. This conference proceedings volume from the Austrian University Research Network highlights the dynamics of higher education and its close interconnection with social and educational policy events." (see publisher Waxmann's website)

In their article, Bianca Thaler, Franziska Lessky, Sabine Weiß, Kajetan Stransky-Can, Magdalena Fellner, Sabine Freudhofmayer, Larissa Bartok, and Flora Petrik locate the Young University Research Network (JuHoFo) in the field and present its history and the activities of the network and the researchers involved. The article takes an empirical approach to various topics. It also provides insight into how young researchers find their way into university research and how the dissertation process is structured for young university researchers in terms of framework conditions, but also in terms of chosen topics or methods.

Free download of the anthology