Jessica Ordemann

Dr. Jessica Ordemann

Research Area Educational Careers and Graduate Employment
Researcher
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Dr. Jessica Ordemann is a social demographer working as a senior researcher and project lead of the German Student Survey at the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW). Her research focusses on the individual and societal consequences of changes in the education system. She investigates educational inequalities and the associated life chances over the life course with a special focus on long-term returns on education.

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Academic research fields

Educational inequalities, labor market

Projects

List of projects

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The student survey in Germany
Publications

List of publications

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Nicht-traditionelle Hochschulabsolventinnen und Hochschulabsolventen und der Arbeitsmarkt.

Ordemann, J. (2022).
Nicht-traditionelle Hochschulabsolventinnen und Hochschulabsolventen und der Arbeitsmarkt. In Wolter & C. Kerst (Hrsg.), Studierfähigkeit beruflich Qualifizierter ohne schulische Studienberechtigung. Studienvoraussetzungen, Studienverläufe und Studienerfolg (S. 289-310). Wiesbaden: Springer.

The Evolution of Educational Wage Differentials for Women and Men, from 1996 to 2019.

Ordemann, J., & Pfeiffer, F. (2021).
The Evolution of Educational Wage Differentials for Women and Men, from 1996 to 2019. ZEW Discussion Paper (21-066). Mannheim: ZEW.
Abstract

This paper studies the evolution of three higher education wage differentials from 1996 to 2019 in Germany, a period when significant changes in the educational composition of the workforce took place. Based on regression analysis and samples of male and female workers from the Socio-Economic Panel Study, the study finds that while all three educational wage differentials increased, workers graduating from universities experienced an inverted u-shape pattern, reaching a plateau between 2011 and 2015. We argue that the decline which began after 2015, and which is detectable as well in the occupational prestige scores, may have resulted from a relative educational upskilling of the workforce as well as changes in the subject composition.

The 2021 ASA Virtual Annual Meeting Newsletter Issue.

Ordemann, J. (2021).
The 2021 ASA Virtual Annual Meeting Newsletter Issue. 7 (3). Washington, DC: American Sociological Association.
Abstract

The 2021 August Newsletter Issue with a symposium about the virtual meeting topic "Rising to the Du Boisian Challenge: IPMs Contribution to Activism vs. Science".

The 2021 June Newsletter Issue.

Ordemann, J. (2021).
The 2021 June Newsletter Issue. mit einem Symposium zu (New) Qualitative and Quantitative Methodological Approaches to Capturing Inequality, Mobility, or Poverty. 7 (2). Washington, DC: American Sociological Association.

Grenzen im Trend zu höherer Bildung. Aktuelle Entwicklungen und Herausforderungen im Schulwesen.

Mank, S., Schulz, S. M., Ordemann, J., Kühne, S., & Maaz, K. (2021).
Grenzen im Trend zu höherer Bildung. Aktuelle Entwicklungen und Herausforderungen im Schulwesen. Schulverwaltung Niedersachsen(4), 100-104.

ASA IPM Newsletter February 2021 with a Symposium about " The relevance of COVID-19, Black Lives Matter and the U.S. election for future IPM research: How will these issues change the future of inequality, poverty and mobility research? " .

Ordemann, J. (Hrsg.). (2021).
ASA IPM Newsletter February 2021 with a Symposium about "The relevance of COVID-19, Black Lives Matter and the U.S. election for future IPM research: How will these issues change the future of inequality, poverty and mobility research?". 7 (1). Washington, DC: American Sociological Association.

Non-traditional students and alumni in Germany.

Brändle, T., & Ordemann, J. (2020).
Non-traditional students and alumni in Germany [Sonderheft]. Studia paedagogica, 25(4)(Non-Traditional Students in Tertiary Education), 35-50.
Abstract

This article gives an overview about current research on non-traditional students and alumni in Germany. Its aim is to highlight similarities and differences with their traditional counterparts. The paper concentrates on the motivation to study, study performance, and labor market success (status and income) of those who do not hold a traditional higher education entrance certificate but entered university via occupational qualifications. We show a widespread divergence in findings from no statistical difference at all to clear differences between non-traditional and traditional students and alumni. This holds true with regard to student motivation, study performance, and labor market success after graduation.

Durchlässigkeit bei steigenden Bildungsbedarfen: aktuelle Trends und Herausforderungen im deutschen Bildungswesen.

Kühne, S., Maaz, K., Mank, S., Ordemann, J., & Schulz, S. (2020).
Durchlässigkeit bei steigenden Bildungsbedarfen: aktuelle Trends und Herausforderungen im deutschen Bildungswesen. Recht der Jugend und des Bildungswesens, 272-278.
Abstract

The presented article deals with recent trends in the German education system as identified in the national report “Education in Germany 2020”. It illustrates those trends by using examples from the school system and, furthermore, describes the challenges that arise. Special attention is given to the focus topic of education in a digitized world.

The National Report on Education – Germany.

Ordemann, J., Maaz, K., & Kühne, S. (2020).
The National Report on Education – Germany. In C. Oggenfuß & S. Wolter (Hrsg.), CIDREE Yearbook 2020 (S. 41-54). Berlin: SKBF-CSRE.
Abstract

This contribution gives an overview of the German Report on Education. Published every two years, the indicator-based report takes a holistic approach to the German education system, from preschool to primary and secondary school to adult education. The article outlines the scope of the report and details its target audiences. Following this, the contribution describes the legislative framework of the report its legal foundation in Germany's Basic Law and its part in the strategy of educational monitoring in Germany. Then, it addresses the report's conceptual foundations, with its underlying characteristics, understanding of education, and indicator concept. Finally, the contribution presents findings from the German Report on Education.

Studium ohne Abitur.

Ordemann (2019).
Studium ohne Abitur. Bildungserträge nichttraditioneller Hochschulabsolventen im Vergleich. Life Course Research Series. Wiesbaden: Springer VS.

Bildungsprozesse im Lebensverlauf: Der kontinuierliche Erwerb von schulischen Bildungsabschlüssen.

Maaz, K., & Ordemann (2019).
Bildungsprozesse im Lebensverlauf: Der kontinuierliche Erwerb von schulischen Bildungsabschlüssen. In G. Quenzel & K. Hurrelmann (Hrsg.), Bildungsarmut (S. 335-467). Wiesbaden: Springer VS.

Soziale Herkunft, Statusreproduktion und Studium ohne Abitur.

Ordemann (2018).
Soziale Herkunft, Statusreproduktion und Studium ohne Abitur. Sozialer Fortschritt, 67(4), 269-282.
Abstract

The following paper inquires if studying without an official university entrance certification decreases the relationship between social origin and status attainment for those non-traditionals. Using data of the starting cohort adults SC6 7.0.0 of the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) I can show, that after five years in the labor market, the social origins of non-traditionals from the lower and middle classes have no effect on their status attainment, whereas it still effects – negatively - the status attainment of those non-traditionals from higher classes.

Das Ende der Abstiegsangst, oder: Die mittlere Mittelschicht als sensibles Zentrum der Gesellschaft. Eine Trendanalyse 1984 – 2014.

Lengfeld, H., & Ordemann, J. (2017).
Das Ende der Abstiegsangst, oder: Die mittlere Mittelschicht als sensibles Zentrum der Gesellschaft. Eine Trendanalyse 1984 – 2014. Zeitschrift für Soziologie, 45(3), 167-184.
Abstract

This paper analyzes how these worries developed over an extended period of 30 years. To do this, a longitudinal analysis of data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) between the years 1984 and 2014 was used. The descriptive trend analyses and random effects-ordered probit-regressions followed by a marginsplot reveal that from the beginning of the observation period up to the year 2005, the fear of job loss rose in all social classes, but was at its strongest for the for the middle middle class...

Hochschulbildung und Statusreproduktion: Erreichen nicht-traditionelle HochschulabsolventInnen den gleichen beruflichen Status wie traditionelle AbsolventInnen?

Ordemann (2017).
Hochschulbildung und Statusreproduktion: Erreichen nicht-traditionelle HochschulabsolventInnen den gleichen beruflichen Status wie traditionelle AbsolventInnen? In Lessenich, S. (Hrsg.), Geschlossene Gesellschaften. Verhandlungen des 38. Kongresses der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Soziologie in Bamberg 2016 (S. 1-10). Bamberg: DGS (online first).

The long shadow of occupation: Volunteering in Retirement.

Lengfeld, H., & Ordemann, J. (2016).
The long shadow of occupation: Volunteering in Retirement. Rationality and Society, 28(I), 3-23.
Abstract

This article examines the extent to which the former occupation of an employee impacts the likelihood that one will decide to volunteer upon retirement. Following social production function theory, we assume that beginning with retirement, the status value attached to their former occupation fades. Because volunteering has the character of a collective good, it provides an opportunity to gain social status, offsetting the loss of occupational status. However, the extent of the incentive to volunteer will be distributed unequally across occupations: the higher the former occupational status value, the higher the perceived loss of status after retirement. Thus, a job with high status value increases the incentive to volunteer in retirement.

Presentations

List of presentations & conferences

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Junior research groups in Germany. An alternative path to professorship.

Ordemann, J. (2025, Januar).
Junior research groups in Germany. An alternative path to professorship. Vortrag im Rahmen der Lunchbreak der Nachwuchsgruppenleiter der Medizin Informatik Initiative, Lübeck, Deutschland.

The professional race to tenure in Germany: Interdisciplinary insights.

Ordemann, J. (2024, Oktober).
The professional race to tenure in Germany: Interdisciplinary insights. Poster auf dem Symposium 5. Japanese-American-German Frontiers of Science (JAGFoS) Symposium, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Kyoto, Japan.

New millenium higher education expansion and inequalities in the female life course.

Ordemann, J. (2024, September).
New millenium higher education expansion and inequalities in the female life course. Vortrag auf der Konferenz SLLS ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2024. Inequalities Across Life Courses and Generations: Interdisciplinary Perspectives , The Society for Longitudinal and Lifecourse Studies (SLLS), Colchester, UK.

Am I too old? Motives and perceived Ageism in the “race for tenure”.

Naegele, L., & Ordemann, J. (2024, September).
Am I too old? Motives and perceived Ageism in the “race for tenure”. Vortrag auf dem Kongress Gemeinsamer Jahreskongress DGGG & DGG 2024 , Kassel.

New Millenium Higher Education Expansion and Inequalities in the Female Life Course.

Ordemann, J. (2024, August).
New Millenium Higher Education Expansion and Inequalities in the Female Life Course. Vortrag auf der Konferenz RC28 Summer 2024 Meeting, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.

Unveiling the Consequences of Educational Achievements: Exploring the Link between Higher Education Expansion and Women’s Life Courses in Germany.

Ordemann, J. (2024, Juli).
Unveiling the Consequences of Educational Achievements: Exploring the Link between Higher Education Expansion and Women’s Life Courses in Germany. Vortrag auf der Konferenz SOEP 2024 – 15th International German Socio-Economic Panel User Conference, SOEP | DIW Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland.

Exploring Scholarship Effects of the Studienstiftung on Bachelor to Master Transitions.

Lang, S., & Ordemann, J. (2024, Juni).
Exploring Scholarship Effects of the Studienstiftung on Bachelor to Master Transitions. Vortrag auf der Konferenz 6th Forum “Higher Education and the Labour Market” (HELM), DZHW, Hannover.

6th Forum Higher Education and the Labour Market (HELM) with special focus on " The Bologna Process After 25 Years: Continuities, Changes, and Evaluations " .

Peter, F., Ordemann, J., & Christoph, B. (2024, Juni).
6th Forum Higher Education and the Labour Market (HELM) with special focus on "The Bologna Process After 25 Years: Continuities, Changes, and Evaluations", DZHW und IAB. Scientific Committee: Silke Anger (IAB & Univ. of Bamberg), Sandra Buchholz (DZHW & Univ. of Hanover), Bernhard Christoph (IAB), Anja Gottburgsen (DZHW), Monika Jungbauer-Gans (DZHW & Univ. of Hanover), Jessica Ordemann (DZHW), Frauke Peter (DZHW), Malte Sandner (TH Nuremberg & IAB), Hannover.

Vielfalt der Studierenden an Hochschulen für angewandte Wissenschaften (HWR).

Ordemann, J. (2024, Juni).
Vielfalt der Studierenden an Hochschulen für angewandte Wissenschaften (HWR). Vortrag im Rahmen der Veranstaltungsreihe Gute Lehre zukunftsfähig gestalten, Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht (HWR), Berlin, Deutschland.

Kinderarmut.

Ordemann, J. (2024).
Kinderarmut. Stellungnahme, Berlin, Deutschland.

Lohnt sich ein Studium ohne Abitur? Erkenntnisse aus der Arbeitsmarktforschung.

Ordemann, J. (2024, Juni).
Lohnt sich ein Studium ohne Abitur? Erkenntnisse aus der Arbeitsmarktforschung. Vortrag auf dem Workshop Online-Stammtisch, Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Offenen Hochschulen (AG-OH), Hannover.

Am I too old? Motives and perceived ageism in the " race for tenure.

Ordemann, J., & Naegele, L. (2023, November).
Am I too old? Motives and perceived ageism in the "race for tenure. Vortrag auf der Konferenz International Conference Mixed Methods Research in Education, Joint Conference of the German Sociological Association’s (DGS) Section Education (Bildung und Erziehung), and DGS Working Groups Mixed Methods (in Sections Methods of Empirical Social Research and Qualitative Social Research) and Science and Higher Education Research, Hannover, Deutschland.

Dual Qualifiers with a Vocational Training and a Tertiary Degree: A Cohort Perspective on Their Intragenerational Income Trajectories, 1944-1984.

Ordemann, J. (2023, November).
Dual Qualifiers with a Vocational Training and a Tertiary Degree: A Cohort Perspective on Their Intragenerational Income Trajectories, 1944-1984. Vortrag auf der Konferenz 8th International NEPS Conference. Survey Data Linked to Administrative Data: NEPS-ADIAB & Co, Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi), Bamberg, Deutschland.

Education Pension Gap.

Ordemann, J. (2023, Oktober).
Education Pension Gap. Vortrag auf dem Workshop Fachtagung des Forschungsdatenzentrums Rentenversicherung , FDZ Rentenversicherung, Erkner, Deutschland.

Subject -specific higher education wage gap in Germany, 1993-2013.

Ordemann, J., & Trennt, F. (2023, Oktober).
Subject -specific higher education wage gap in Germany, 1993-2013. Vortrag auf der Tagung 5th Forum “Higher Education and the Labour Market“ (HELM), IAB, DZHW, Nürnberg, Deutschland.
Curriculum Vitae
Professional Career
04/2025

Project lead (Senior Researcher) 'The Student Survey in Germany'

11/2020 - 03/2025

Researcher (Post-Doc) at the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW)

11/2018 - 10/2020

Scientific Coordinator at the DIPF | Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education

02/2017 - 09/2018

Junior Researcher at the DIPF | Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education

04/2014 - 01/2017

Junior Researcher at the University of Leipzig

04/2012 - 03/2014

Junior Researcher at the University of Hamburg

04/2009 - 03/2012

Student Researcher at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW)

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Education and Academic Degrees
2014 - 2019

PhD in sociology at the University of Leipzig

2010 - 2011

Master in sociology at the Free University Berlin

2006 - 2010

Bachelor in cultural studies with focus on sociology at the Long Distance Learning University Hagen

Memberships and positions

  • Elected Member of the Executive Committee of the Society of Longitudinal and Lifecourse Studies (SLLS)
  • Research Committee on Social Stratification (RC28) of the International Sociological Association (ISA)
  • Academy of Sociology
  • German Sociological Association