Jana Berg

Dr. Jana Berg

Research Area Governance in Higher Education and Science
Researcher
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Dr. Jana Berg studied Sociology (M.A.) and Linguistics (B.A.) at the Johannes Gutenberg-University in Mainz and the University of Vienna. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the Leibniz University of Hanover. In May 2017 she joined the DZHW. Her main research is on higher education for refugees, international higher education, and transdisciplinary cooperation with a focus on collaborations between NGOs and academics.

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Academic research fields

Higher education for refugees, science communication in post-colonial contexts

Projects

List of projects

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Climate Science Communication – Global and local NGO-science networks
Internationalisation in the Digital Transformation: Strategies of German higher education institutions (INDISTRA)
Research cluster: Empirical Methods of Higher Education Research and Science Studies
Publications

List of publications

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Why refugee students are more likely to drop out of pre-university programs.

Berg, J. (2024).
Why refugee students are more likely to drop out of pre-university programs. Let's Talk About by cogitatiopress. Online: cogitatio press.

Adult Refugees and Asylum Seekers in University Preparation Programs: Competing Identities and Multiple Transitions Manifested in Stigma Consciousness and Student Self-Identification.

Grüttner, M., Schröder, S., & Berg, J. (2024).
Adult Refugees and Asylum Seekers in University Preparation Programs: Competing Identities and Multiple Transitions Manifested in Stigma Consciousness and Student Self-Identification. Adult Education Quarterly (online first). https://doi.org/10.1177/07417136241231566

Adult Refugees and Asylum Seekers in University Preparation Programs: Competing Identities and Multiple Transitions Manifested in Stigma Consciousness and Student Self-Identification.

Grüttner, M., Schröder, S., & Berg, J. (2024).
Adult Refugees and Asylum Seekers in University Preparation Programs: Competing Identities and Multiple Transitions Manifested in Stigma Consciousness and Student Self-Identification. Adult Education Quarterly, 1-20 (online first).
Abstract

Preparation for university studies is key to enabling adult refugees and asylum seekers to reestablish their educational and professional careers in the host country. While refugees’ transition to higher education (HE) is embedded in multiple transitions regarding social position, educational career, and migration, related identities may compete. We investigate how this is manifested in stigma consciousness and precarious student self-identification and how these factors influence the transition to HE. We combine novel quantitative and qualitative data on refugee students in prestudy programs in Germany. The results show that stigma consciousness impedes student self-identification. Moreover, stigma consciousness moderates the effect of ...

Responsibilities and gatekeeping in using language certificates for HE admission.

Berg, J., Grüttner, M., & Schröder, S. (18. Oktober 2023).
Responsibilities and gatekeeping in using language certificates for HE admission [Blogbeitrag]. Abgerufen von https://srheblog.com/2023/10/18/responsibilities-and-gatekeeping-in-using-language-certificates-for-he-admission/

Higher education for refugees: relevance, challenges, and open research questions.

Berg, J. (2023).
Higher education for refugees: relevance, challenges, and open research questions. SN Social Sciences3(177). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-023-00769-6 (Abgerufen am: 12.10.2023) (online first). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-023-00769-6

Durable supports for refugees in higher education through resisting short-termism and organisational memory loss: illustrative cases from Australia and Germany.

Berg, J., Grüttner, M., & Baker, S. (2023).
Durable supports for refugees in higher education through resisting short-termism and organisational memory loss: illustrative cases from Australia and Germany. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management , 45(1), 36-52. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080X.2022.2129316
Abstract

Recently, an increasing number of students from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds (SRABs) entering universities in settlement countries such as Australia and Germany have necessitated the establishment of a variety of supports. However, to date, little attention has been paid to the organisational conditions surrounding such supports. This study thus examined these conditions through the conceptual lens of organisational memory loss. Based on the two illustrative cases of Australia and Germany, it was described how building durable and responsive supports for SRABs is undermined by structural, ideological, and temporal imperatives that erode the possibilities for a sharable organisational memory.

Supporting prospective refugee students' pathways to German higher education institutions - The perspectives of key actors in access, admission and study preparation.

Schröder, S., Berg, J., & Otto, C. (2022).
Supporting prospective refugee students' pathways to German higher education institutions - The perspectives of key actors in access, admission and study preparation. Beiträge zur Hochschulforschung - Themenheft zu internationalen Studierenden(2-3), 40-58.

Organisational support for refugee students in German higher education.

Berg, J. (2022).
Organisational support for refugee students in German higher education. A systems theoretical analysis of the formalisation and development of support structures for refugee students and underlying discourses at German higher education organisations. Dissertationsschrift. Hannover: Leibniz Universität Hannover. https://doi.org/10.15488/11988

International or refugee students? Shifting organisational discourses on refugee students at German higher education organisations.

Berg, J. (2022).
International or refugee students? Shifting organisational discourses on refugee students at German higher education organisations. International Studies in Sociology of Education (online first). https://doi.org/10.1080/09620214.2022.2048264
Abstract

Following the refugee influx of 2015 and 2016, many German higher education organisations (HEOs) responded with support programmes for refugee students. In this context, refugees became formally and discursively differentiated from other international students. During later stages of the programmes, this differentiation became blurred, and discourse surrounding refugee students partly shifted back to framing them as international students, which is also represented in further support programme development. Based on a systems theoretical framework, this paper investigates the shifting organisational discourse on refugee students within the context of functional needs and structural changes at German HEOs.

Wege von Geflüchteten an deutsche Hochschulen (WeGe).

Berg, J., Grüttner, M., İkiz-Akıncı, D., Otto, C., Schröder, S., Schmidtchen, H., & Weber, A. (2021).
Wege von Geflüchteten an deutsche Hochschulen (WeGe). Daten- und Methodenbericht zu den quantitativen und qualitativen Datenpaketen des DZHW-Projekts „WeGe“. Hannover: DZHW. https://doi.org/10.21249/DZHW:wegequalistudents:1.0.0
Abstract

With the increased influx of refugees in the years 2014 to 2016, many people seeking protection came to Germany with advanced school qualifications or existing study experience. This resulted in a higher demand for preparatory language and subject courses, which must be completed in order to acquire the formal requirements necessary for admission to study in Germany. Until 2016, there were no scientific findings on the preparation of refugees for university in German-speaking countries. There was also little international research on the topic. The WeGe project therefore explored the topic and developed initial findings on the conditions for successful study preparation.

Responsivität deutscher Hochschulen in der postmigrantischen Gesellschaft: Am Beispiel des Hochschulzugangs von Geflüchteten.

Grüttner, M., Beigang, S., Schröder, S., Berg, J., & Kleimann, B. (2021).
Responsivität deutscher Hochschulen in der postmigrantischen Gesellschaft: Am Beispiel des Hochschulzugangs von Geflüchteten. ZDfm – Zeitschrift für Diversitätsforschung und -management, 6(2), 191-196. https://doi.org/10.3224/zdfm.v6i2.07

Erfolgreiche Studienvorbereitung? – Ergebnisse einer Mixed-Methods-Studie zum Erfolg von Geflüchteten in der Studienvorbereitung.

Grüttner, M., Schröder, S., Berg, J., & Otto, C. (2021).
Erfolgreiche Studienvorbereitung? – Ergebnisse einer Mixed-Methods-Studie zum Erfolg von Geflüchteten in der Studienvorbereitung. In M. Neugebauer, H.-D. Daniel, & A. Wolter (Hrsg.), Studienerfolg und Studienabbruch (S. 235-258). Wiesbaden: Springer VS. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-32892-4_10
Abstract

Since more qualified refugees have been looking for protection and prospects in Germany, the demand for pre-study programs has remained high. The WeGe project (Refugees’ Pathways to German Higher Education Institutions) examines the conditions for successful study preparation of refugees and uses a mixed-methods research design. As a conceptual framework, the Capabilities Approach (CA) serves both as a basis for a definition of success and for the analysis of requirements for successful study preparation on an institutional, social and individual level. It turns out that the vast majority of refugees successfully complete their pre-study programs. However, transitions to higher education depend on institutional barriers, which manifest them

Expectations, experiences and anticipated outcomes of supporting refugee students in Germany – a systems theoretical analysis of organizational semantics.

Berg, J. (2021).
Expectations, experiences and anticipated outcomes of supporting refugee students in Germany – a systems theoretical analysis of organizational semantics. In N. Harrison & G. Atherton (Hrsg.), Marginalised Communities in Higher Education - Disadvantage, Mobility and Indigeneity (S. 97-118). London: Routledge.

Refugees in Higher Education: Questioning the Notion of Integration.

Berg, J., Grüttner, M., & Streitwieser, B. (Hrsg.) (2021).
Refugees in Higher Education: Questioning the Notion of Integration. Wiesbaden: Springer VS. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-33338-6
Abstract

This edited volume addresses critical issues surrounding higher education access for students of refugee backgrounds. It combines a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives on the challenges, opportunities, experiences and expectations of refugee students, as well as some of the institutional frameworks that facilitate their access to higher education. Following a critical discussion of the notion of ‘integration’, the team of authors who are made up of academics and refugee students critically investigate higher education as an objective of as well as a means to greater inclusion and integration.

Introduction: Refugees in Higher Education—Questioning the Notion of Integration.

Berg, J., Grüttner, M., & Streitwieser, B. (2021).
Introduction: Refugees in Higher Education—Questioning the Notion of Integration. In J. Berg, M. Grüttner, & B. Streitwieser (Hrsg.), Refugees in Higher Education—Questioning the Notion of Integration (S. 3-17). Wiesbaden: Springer VS.
Abstract

This edited volume shares the proceedings of a symposium that was as held in the summer of 2019 in Hanover, Germany and dedicated to exploring the notion of integration as it relates to access to higher education for students of refugee background. The symposium included presentations and discussions of access to higher education in Germany, institutional contexts, and the challenges and benefits for students of refugee background compared with other groups. Throughout the symposium, we collaboratively questioned the notion of integration within higher education from different disciplinary, methodological and theoretical perspectives. One special panel also included a group of refugee students discussing their experiences and the main chall

Presentations

List of presentations & conferences

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Institutionalized Assumptions as Transition Barriers to German Higher Education.

Berg, J. (2023, November).
Institutionalized Assumptions as Transition Barriers to German Higher Education. Vortrag auf dem Workshop Hochschule in der (Post-)Migrationsgesellschaft: Zugang, Partizipation und Erfolg, DZHW Forschungscluster Mobilität und migrationsspezifische Ungleichheiten, Hannover.

Klima-Aktivismus und –Forschung in postkolonialen Kontexten - Von Wissens-Ko-Produktion zu lokalen Lösungsansätzen.

Berg, J. (2023, Juli).
Klima-Aktivismus und –Forschung in postkolonialen Kontexten - Von Wissens-Ko-Produktion zu lokalen Lösungsansätzen. Vortrag auf dem Kongress Kritische Zeiten - Kongress der österreichischen Gesellschaft für Soziologie, ÖGS, WU Wien, Österreich.

Which person is presumed to fit the institution? Cultural and social norms as transition barriers to German higher education.

Berg, J. (2023, Juli).
Which person is presumed to fit the institution? Cultural and social norms as transition barriers to German higher education. Vortrag auf dem Kongress Kritische Zeiten - Kongress der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Soziologie, WU Wien, Österreich.

„So eine TestDaF, […] die zeigt nicht unbedingt, dass die Leute die Sprachkompetenz haben, die das eigentlich abbilden soll.“ Selbstpositionierung, Handlungsunsicherheiten und Gatekeeping bei der Bewertung von Sprachzertifikaten im deutschen Hochschulsystem.

Berg, J., Schröder, S., & Grüttner, M. (2023, Juli).
„So eine TestDaF, […] die zeigt nicht unbedingt, dass die Leute die Sprachkompetenz haben, die das eigentlich abbilden soll.“ Selbstpositionierung, Handlungsunsicherheiten und Gatekeeping bei der Bewertung von Sprachzertifikaten im deutschen Hochschulsystem. Vortrag auf dem Kongress Kritische Zeiten - Kongress der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Soziologie, WU Wien, Österreich.

Science translation, communication and knowledge co-production – Challenges and chances of NGO-science cooperations.

Berg, J. (2023, Juni).
Science translation, communication and knowledge co-production – Challenges and chances of NGO-science cooperations. Vortrag auf der Konferenz 17th Higher Education Reform (HER) Conference 2023 Sustainable Development Goals: Their potential and relevance for higher education policy and reform, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Beyond time limited projects – Ensuring ongoing support for refugee students in German higher education.

Berg, J. (2023, Juni).
Beyond time limited projects – Ensuring ongoing support for refugee students in German higher education. Poster auf der Konferenz 17th Higher Education Reform (HER) Conference 2023 Sustainable Development Goals: Their potential and relevance for higher education policy and reform, Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Wege von Geflüchteten an deutsche Hochschulen (WeGe): Bedingungen eines erfolgreichen Studienzugangs für geflüchtete Frauen.

Berg, J., & Grüttner, M. (2021).
Wege von Geflüchteten an deutsche Hochschulen (WeGe): Bedingungen eines erfolgreichen Studienzugangs für geflüchtete Frauen. Vortrag im Rahmen der Online Fortbildung Spezielle Bedürfnisse geflüchteter Frauen bei der Integration an Hochschulen, Internationale DAAD Akademie.

Übergänge und ‚stuck places‘ (Ergebnisse aus der qualitativen Panel-Studie des WeGe-Projekts).

Berg, J. (2020, Dezember).
Übergänge und ‚stuck places‘ (Ergebnisse aus der qualitativen Panel-Studie des WeGe-Projekts). Vortrag auf dem Workshop Abschlussworkshop: WeGe von Geflüchteten an deutsche Hochschulen, Hannover/ Online.

Zeitlich befristete Projekte- und dann? Zur Nachhaltigkeit der Angebote für Studierende mit Fluchterfahrung an deutschen Hochschulen.

Berg, J. (2020, Dezember).
Zeitlich befristete Projekte- und dann? Zur Nachhaltigkeit der Angebote für Studierende mit Fluchterfahrung an deutschen Hochschulen. Vortrag auf dem Workshop Abschlussworkshop: WeGe von Geflüchteten an deutsche Hochschulen, Hannover/ Online.

Abschussworkshop " Wege von Geflüchteten an Deutsche Hochschulen (WeGe) " .

Schröder, S., Grüttner, M., Berg, J., & Otto, C. (2020).
Abschussworkshop "Wege von Geflüchteten an Deutsche Hochschulen (WeGe)" , DZHW, Hannover, Deutschland.

Transitionen von Geflüchteten ins deutsche Hochschulsystem – Subjektive Bewältigung der Studienvorbereitung und ihre Bedeutung für Teilhabechancen an Hochschulbildung.

Schröder, S. (2020, November).
Transitionen von Geflüchteten ins deutsche Hochschulsystem – Subjektive Bewältigung der Studienvorbereitung und ihre Bedeutung für Teilhabechancen an Hochschulbildung. Vortrag auf der Tagung Gemeinsame Frühjahrstagung der DGS-Sektionen „Soziale Ungleichheit und Sozialstrukturanalyse“ und „Bildung und Erziehung“ am Leibniz-Institut für Bildungsverläufe (LIfBi), digital , Bamberg.

Wege von Geflüchteten an deutsche Hochschulen: Organisationale Vorannahmen im Hochschulkontext und ihre Bedeutung für erfolgreiche Übergänge ins Studium.

Berg, J., Schröder, S., & Grüttner, M. (2020, September).
Wege von Geflüchteten an deutsche Hochschulen: Organisationale Vorannahmen im Hochschulkontext und ihre Bedeutung für erfolgreiche Übergänge ins Studium. Vortrag auf der 3. Konferenz des Netzwerks Fluchtforschung. Kontexte von Flucht, Schutz und Alltag Geflüchteter, Köln (Online-Konferenz).

Responsivität deutscher Hochschulen - Ein Beispiel für Aushandlungen, Allianzen und Ambivalenzen in der postmigrantischen Gesellschaft.

Beigang, S., Berg, J., Grüttner, M., Kleimann, B., & Schröder, S. (2020, Juli).
Responsivität deutscher Hochschulen - Ein Beispiel für Aushandlungen, Allianzen und Ambivalenzen in der postmigrantischen Gesellschaft. Vortrag auf der Diversity Vernetzungstagung 2020 in Bern (Schweiz).

Organisational Responses To The (Presumed) Needs Of Refugee Students In German Higher Education.

Berg, J. (2019, November).
Organisational Responses To The (Presumed) Needs Of Refugee Students In German Higher Education. Visiting Scholars Presentation at the Graduate School of Education & Human Development; George Washington University; Washington, D.C.; USA.

Refugees on their way to German Higher Education: Support at German Higher Education Institutions.

Berg, J. (2019, Oktober).
Refugees on their way to German Higher Education: Support at German Higher Education Institutions. Guest lecture im Seminar International Higher Education; George Washington University, Washington D.C., USA.