Please note that the keynote address by Claudia Diehl on the topic “How Fair Do Students Find Our Education System?” cannot be published until a later date because it contains research findings that have not yet been published.

Commemorative lecture by Prof. Dr. Claudia Diehl, member of the Philosophical and Historical Class

“How Fair Do Students Find Our Education System?”

Educational inequality and equity are the subject of countless media reports, public discussions, and empirical studies. Parents, researchers, teachers, foundations, and political actors—the topic interests nearly everyone; many are affected, and quite a few weigh in on the discussion. Yet the very group at the heart of the matter remains surprisingly silent: the students themselves. They are at the center of educational ambitions, parental efforts, and scholarly evaluations. The public is regularly informed about their performance, their credentials, and their educational opportunities—as well as about the significant differences between social classes. However, surprisingly little is known about how fair students themselves perceive our educational system to be. Against this backdrop, this presentation will share the results of a large-scale survey of seventh-graders in Germany. Particular focus will be placed on the question of how many and which students actually feel (un)fairly treated at school—and how these perceptions can be explained.

Additional program items: Opening remarks by Hans J. Reiter, Director General and Head of Department at the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts; report by the Academy President, Hans-Georg Kräusslich, on the academic year, insights into the Young Academy | HAdW by Martin F. Gerchen, spokesperson for the WIN Kolleg, and the presentation of the endowed Awards.