Evaluation of the National Strategy for the Social Dimension in Higher Education

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the National Strategy for the Social Dimension in Higher Education (BMWFW 2017), with a focus on assessing goal achievement and informing further strategic development beyond 2025.

Key Questions: The evaluation focuses on analysing the achievement of defined objectives in key areas of action and the effectiveness of core measures at both the systemic and institutional levels. In addition, the study examines progress made with regard to the nine quantitative targets and assesses whether these developments can be attributed to measures related to the social dimension or to broader higher education policy. Based on the findings, the study will formulate recommendations for a potential further development of the strategy beyond 2025. This includes proposals for the content and structure of a possible follow-up strategy, the identification of relevant new thematic areas, meaningful prioritisation, and realistic timelines for implementation.

Methods:

• Survey of higher education institutions
  – Collection of information on implemented measures and institutional assessments of the national strategy.
• Interviews with external stakeholders
  – Inclusion of perspectives from outside the higher education sector to ensure a broader system view.
• Steering committee meetings
  – Involvement of representatives from all four higher education sectors and non-academic institutions.
  – Integration of expert knowledge from the higher education community and external actors.
• Analysis of quantitative target achievement
  – Evaluation of progress on the nine quantitative goals.
  – Use of indicator data provided by BMBWF (e.g. 2023 Student Social Survey).