Cross-institutional study on the abuse of power at German music universities

Dear students, dear lecturers,

in 2025, the Conference of Rectors of German Music Universities within the HRK (RKM) decided to commission a cross-institutional study into forms of abuse of power at German music universities.

The study is being carried out by the external and independent Department of Applied Research and Project Consultancy (IPP) in Munich (https://www.ipp-muenchen.de/) and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). It consists of a nationwide online survey of all students and teaching staff at the 22 participating music universities, as well as qualitative case studies.

From 4 to 31 May 2026, students and teaching staff will have the opportunity to take part in the online survey. To this end, you have received a link to the questionnaire from the University of Music, along with a TAN, which you can use to access the questionnaire. The online survey is completely anonymous. It is guaranteed that neither the IPP Munich nor your university will be able to link the responses to you personally. It is therefore impossible to identify you.

Your participation in the online survey is voluntary. However, we urge you to complete the questionnaire and to encourage others to take part in the survey.

The results of the entire study are expected to be published in spring 2027.

We would like to thank you very much for your participation, which will support our university in our efforts to create a respectful, non-discriminatory and safe study and working environment and to engage openly with power relations.

Your University Management