Kai Mühleck works at DZHW since 2008. He is senior researcher of the research area "Educational Careers and Graduate Employment". His research focusses on the topics of scientific careers, tracking of graduates, monetary and non-monetary returns to education, gender differences, social inequality, and cross-country comparisons. Before joining DZHW he worked as a researcher at Humboldt-University in Berlin (2001-2008). He holds a doctorate in sociology from Humboldt-University (2007) and studied political science, sociology, and economics at the universities of Heidelberg and Manchester, graduating from Heidelberg in 2001 (M.A.).
Dr. Kai Mühleck
Research Area Educational Careers and Graduate Employment
Researcher
- +49 511 450670-156
- +49 511 450670-960
List of projects
List of publications
Nacaps 2018.Briedis, K., Lietz, A., Ruß, U., Schwabe, U., Seifert, M., ... & Hoffstätter, U. (2024).Nacaps 2018. Daten- und Methodenbericht zur National Academics Panel Study 2018 (1.-4. Befragungswelle – Promovierende). Hannover: DZHW. https://doi.org/10.21249/DZHW:nac2018:2.0.0 Abstract
Nacaps, the National Academics Panel Study, is a new longitudinal study of doctoral candidates and doctorate holders in Germany funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The project aims at providing nationwide cross-sectional and longitudinal data on doctoral candidates and doctorate holders in Germany regarding their study conditions as well as their career trajectories within and outside of academia. The Nacaps study series apply a panel design to multiple cohorts. Nacaps 2018 is the first cohort in this series of studies. In 2019, all doctoral candidates registered at 53 higher education institutions [...] Full Abstract: https://doi.org/10.21249/DZHW:nac2018:2.0.0 |
Challenging the intuition: Is a same-gender supervisor beneficial for doctoral students?Mühleck, K., & Schwabe, U. (2024).Challenging the intuition: Is a same-gender supervisor beneficial for doctoral students? Soziale Welt, 26, 280-340. https://doi.org/10.5771/9783748925590-280 Abstract
It continues to be a puzzle that women are disproportionally often dropping out of academic careers. Researchers and policymakers have suggested that same-gender supervisors are important for tightening this ‘leaky pipeline’. Especially in subjects with a strong overrepresentation of men, it seems likely that female supervisors work as positive role models and help preventing discrimination. Anticipating this effect, female doctoral students might also prefer supervisors of the same gender. Therefore, we ask how widespread a gender match is between doctoral student and supervisor in Germany and whether a gender match between supervisors and doctoral students is beneficial for the doctorate and for a possible scientific career thereafter. |
Higher education and active citizenship in five European countries: How institutions, fields of study and types of degree shape the political participation of graduates.Mühleck, K., & Hadjar, A. (2023).Higher education and active citizenship in five European countries: How institutions, fields of study and types of degree shape the political participation of graduates. Research in Comparative and International Education, 18(1), 32-54. https://doi.org/10.1177/17454999231157160 |
EUROGRADUATE Pilot Survey 2018.Mühleck, K., Meng, C., Unger, M., & Hoffstätter, U. (2021).EUROGRADUATE Pilot Survey 2018. Data and Methods Report on the EUROGRADUATE Pilot Survey conducted in 2018/2019. Hannover: FDZ-DZHW. Abstract
The EUROGRADUATE survey is a one-off pilot survey of higher education graduates of the cohorts 2016/17 and 2012/13 in eight European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Croatia, Lithuania, Malta, and Norway). The pilot project aims at laying the foundation for a Europe-wide graduate survey. The survey provides insights into the experiences of European graduates during their studies and the impact on their professional lives and their lives as European citizens. Graduates were surveyed one year (t +1, cohort 2016/17) or five years (t +5, cohort 2012/13) after graduation. The main topics of the EUROGRADUATE pilot survey are: [...] Full abstract: https://doi.org/10.21249/DZHW:egr2018:2.0.0 |
EUROGRADUATE Pilot Survey. Technical assessment and feasibility of a full rollout.Mühleck, K., Meng, C., Oelker, S., Unger, M., Lizzi, R., Maurer, S., ... & Wessling, K. (2020).EUROGRADUATE Pilot Survey. Technical assessment and feasibility of a full rollout. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2766/85072 |
Étude pilote EUROGRADUATE. Évaluation technique de l’enquête pilote EUROGRADUATE et étude de faisabilité de sa mise en oeuvre à grande échelle. Résultats principaux.Mühleck, K., Meng, C., Oelker, S., Unger, M., Lizzi, R., Maurer, S., ... & Wessling, K. (2020).Étude pilote EUROGRADUATE. Évaluation technique de l’enquête pilote EUROGRADUATE et étude de faisabilité de sa mise en oeuvre à grande échelle. Résultats principaux. Luxembourg: Office des publications de l’Union européenne. https://doi.org/10.2766/939744 |
EUROGRADUATE Pilot Survey. Technical assessment and feasibility of a full rollout. Executive summary.Mühleck, K., Meng, C., Oelker, S., Unger, M., Lizzi, R., Maurer, S., ... & Wessling, K. (2020).EUROGRADUATE Pilot Survey. Technical assessment and feasibility of a full rollout. Executive summary. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2766/581640 |
How does higher education foster active citizenship? Qualities of higher education and the political participation of graduates.Mühleck, K., & Oelker, S. (2020).How does higher education foster active citizenship? Qualities of higher education and the political participation of graduates. In S. Noorda, P. Scoot, & M. Vukasovic (Eds.), Bologna Process Beyond 2020: Fundamental Values of the EHEA (pp. 331-338). Bologna: Bononia University Press. Abstract
The paper analyses the relationship between characteristics of higher education and political participation. In addition to differences due to fields of subjects we observe a strong relationship with extra-curricular activities such as international mobility, practical training, and voluntary activities. Our results indicate that such activities as well as civic skills help strengthening the political participation of higher education graduates. |
EUROGRADUATE Pilot Survey. Design and implementation of a pilot European graduate survey.Meng, C., Wessling, K., Mühleck, K., & Unger, M. (2020).EUROGRADUATE Pilot Survey. Design and implementation of a pilot European graduate survey. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2766/629271 |
Gender Differences in Higher Education from a Life Course Perspective: Transitions and Social Selectivity between Upper Secondary School and first Post-doc Position.Lörz, M., & Mühleck, K. (2019).Gender Differences in Higher Education from a Life Course Perspective: Transitions and Social Selectivity between Upper Secondary School and first Post-doc Position. Higher Education, 77 (3), 381-402. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-018-0273-y |
Promoting the Relevance of Higher Education. Main report.Vossensteyn, H., Kolster, R., Kaiser, F., File, J., Huisman, J., Seeber, M., ... & Gwosć, C. (2018).Promoting the Relevance of Higher Education. Main report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2766/048735 Abstract
The main objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the relevance of higher education and how this is promoted in various countries in Europe and beyond. On the basis of a review of relevant literature, policy documents and databases, consultation with national experts and eight in-depth country case studies that included interviews with many national stakeholders, this study seeks to answer questions such as which policy levers do member states use to promote higher education relevance? Which national policies concerning higher education relevance appear to be effective and good practice examples? Which indicators are informative in assessing higher education relevance at system level? |