Prof.in Dr. Christina Möller

Academic career stages

from 10/2022: Professor of Sociology (focus on "Social Structure and Social Change") at Fachhochschule Dortmund (Department of Applied Social Sciences)

9/2017-9/2022: Substitute Professor of Sociology at the Fachhochschule Dortmund (Faculty of Applied Social Studies)

2016-2017: Research assistant at the Faculty of Cultural Studies (Sociology) at the University of Paderborn

2015-2016: Substitute Professor for Sociology of Education at the University of Paderborn

2013-2015: Research assistant at the Faculty of Cultural Studies (Sociology) at Paderborn University

2006-2013: Research assistant in research projects at the TU Dortmund University (Center for Higher Education) and between 2006-2008 coordinator in the interdisciplinary research volume "Youth, School and Education Research" at the University of Dortmund

2002-2006: Student assistant at the TU Dortmund University (Center for Higher Education, then 'HDZ')

Academic career

2021: Habilitation in the subject "Social Sciences, Sociology" at the University of Cologne

2014: Doctorate in sociology at the Technical University of Darmstadt, first supervisor: Prof. Dr. Michael Hartmann

2010-2013: Doctoral scholarship holder of the Hans Böckler Foundation as part of the BMBF's scholarship program for gifted students.

2000-2006: Degree in Education (minor in Sociology and Psychology) at the University of Dortmund (now TU Dortmund), graduated in June 2006.

2000-2000: Studied Educational Sciences at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (1 semester), then transferred to the University of Dortmund (now TU).

1997-1999: Westfalenkolleg Dortmund, acquisition of the general higher education entrance qualification, graduated 12/1999.

First professional career
1994-1997: Telecommunications secretary at Deutsche Telekom AG, Dortmund branch (resigned at her own request)
1990-1994: Civil servant career in the middle telecommunications service at the (then) Deutsche Bundespost, Telecommunications Office 1 Dortmund.
1988-1990: Employee of the company mentioned below.
1986-1988: Apprenticeship as an office assistant in a tax consultancy office in Castrop-Rauxel

Reviewer for the journals "Zeitschrift für Soziologie (ZfS)", "Soziale Welt", "Beiträge zur Hochschulforschung" and "Zeitschrift für Soziologie der Erziehung und Sozialisation (ZSE)"

since 4/2016: Liaison lecturer at the Hans Böckler Foundation
since 2009 : Member of the German Sociological Association (DGS), Section "Education and Upbringing" and Section "Social Inequality and Social Structure Analysis"
since 2024: Member of the German Society for Social Work (DGSA)

7/2018-7/2024: Board member of the "Education and Upbringing" section of the German Sociological Association & co-editor of the "Educational Sociology Series" published by Beltz-Juventa

from August 2024 (until 12/2026): COOPERATION PROJECT with the University of Tübingen on the topic of "Ambivalent educational advancement - cultural and social science approaches in dialog" (Exploration Funds as part of the Excellence Strategy). Participants: Prof. Dr. Markus Rieger-Ladich (University of Tübingen), Flora Petrik (University of Tübingen), Prof. Dr. Thomas Etzemüller (University of Oldenburg), Prof. Dr. Astrid Franke (University of Tübingen), Prof. Dr. Christian Grabau (FernUniversität in Hagen), Prof. Dr. Dorothee Kimmich (University of Tübingen) & Prof. Dr. Christina Möller (Fachhochschule Dortmund).

since summer 2023: COOPERATION PROJECT with Goethe University Frankfurt and the Institute for Social Research (IfS): "What are the conditions for personal well-being in the academic environment?"

In a research project between the University of Frankfurt am Main, Fachhochschule Dortmund and the Institute for Social Research (IfS), we are investigating what the key factors are for the well-being of academics - and those who are on their way to becoming academics:

What experiences do you have at university and in other academic contexts? And how do these experiences shape your participation in this environment? What role does social background play in this?

Responsible for the project: Max Jansen, Research Associate at the Department of Sociology with a Focus on Empirical Educational Research at Goethe University Frankfurt

If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to jansen [at] soz.uni-frankfurt.

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June 2013: Collaboration on the study: Riegraf, Birgit/Pilgrim, Irmgard/Reimer, Romy (2013): 'Wege zur Promotion. Study on the underrepresentation of women in doctorates at Paderborn University", headed by Prof. Dr. Birgit Riegraf, financed by funds from the Rectorate of Paderborn University (contract for work)

01.03.2010-30.06.2013
Research assistant in the research project "Mobility and Drop-Out of Young Academics", funded by the BMBF, based at the Center for Higher Education (ZHB) of the Technical University of Dortmund)

01.12.2007-28.02.2009: Research assistant in the research project "Knowledge or parenthood? - Childlessness and Employment Conditions at Universities in Germany", funded by the BMBF, based at the Center for Higher Education Didactics (HDZ) at the Technical University of Dortmund

15.04.2007-30.11.2007: Research assistant in the research and development project "Development of a concept for course-related dropout analyses at the University of Dortmund", located at the Center for Higher Education Didactics (HDZ) of the Technical University of Dortmund

15.07.2006-31.12.2006: Research assistant in the research project "Young Parenthood and Academic Careers", funded by the University of Dortmund and the Ministry of Innovation, Science, Research and Technology of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, based at the University Didactics Center (HDZ) of the Technical University of Dortmund

7. Möller, Christina (2026, to be published in July): The Struggles of Social Mobility: How Social Inequalities Shape Our Life Courses.(Opens in a new tab)  Stuttgart: Kohlhammer.

6. Möller, Christina; Blome, Frerk; Reuter, Julia (eds.) (2025): Social Mobility Through Education? Theoretical Approaches, Empirical Insights. Beltz-Juventa (Contributions to the Sociology of Education). (OPEN ACCESS(Opens in a new tab) )

5. Reuter, Julia; Gamper, Markus; Möller, Christina; Blome, Frerk (eds.) (2020): From Working-Class Child to Professor. Social Mobility in Academia. Autobiographical Notes and Sociobiographical Analyses(Opens in a new tab) 
Bielefeld: transcript

4. Möller, Christina: Background (Almost) Always Matters. Social Inequalities Among University Professors(Opens in a new tab) 
Beltz-Juventa (2015)

3. Graf, Angela/Möller, Christina (eds.): Education—Power—Elites. On the Reproduction of Social Inequality (Opens in a new tab) 
Campus-Verlag, Frankfurt am Main (2015)

2. Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Heusgen, Kirsten/Möller, Christina/Schürmann, Ramona/Selent, Petra: Is Having Children a Career Factor? On Generational Discrimination in the Higher Education System (Opens in a new tab) 
Barbara Budrich Publishing, Opladen (2014)

1. Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Möller, Christina/Auferkorte-Michaelis, Nicole: Academia as a Way of Life—Parents Unwelcome? Childlessness and Employment Conditions of Academic Staff at All Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia(Opens in a new tab) 
Barbara Budrich Publishing, Opladen (2009)

Möller, Christina (2026, forthcoming): The Myth of Meritocracy. Social Inequality and the Legitimacy Bubble of the Merit Principle. In: Ronge, Bastian/Albert, Astrid (eds.): First-Generation College Students: Experiential Accounts and Theoretical Insights. Bielefeld: Transcript.

Möller, Christina (2026, to be published on Aug. 27, 2026): Social Inequality. In: Amthor, R.-C./Goldberg, B./Hansbauer, P./Landes, B./Wintergerst, T. (eds.): Kreft/Mielenz Dictionary of Social Work: Tasks, Fields of Practice, Terms, and Methods in Social Work and Social Pedagogy, 10th, completely revised and updated edition. Weinheim/Basel: Beltz-Juventa.

2025

Blome, Frerk/Möller, Christina/Reuter, Julia (2025): Social Mobility Through Education? Relevance, Research Overview, and Issues. In: Möller, Christina/Blome, Frerk/Reuter, Julia (eds.): Social Mobility Through Education? Theoretical Approaches, Empirical Insights. Contributions to the Sociology of Education. Weinheim/Basel: Beltz-Juventa, pp. 8–41 (OPEN ACCESS(Opens in a new tab) ).

Möller, Christina (2025): Social Mobility and Shame. Patterns of Compensation and Coping with Class Shame: The Case of Professors from Low-Status Background Groups. In: Möller, Christina/Blome, Frerk/Reuter, Julia (eds.): Social Mobility Through Education? Theoretical Approaches, Empirical Insights. Series on the Sociology of Education. Weinheim/Basel: Beltz-Juventa, pp. 212–229 (OPEN ACCESS(Opens in a new tab) ).

2023
Möller, Christina/Holtkamp, Max (2023): Classism. On the Opportunities and Risks of a New Term in an Old Debate and the Inclusion of Marginalized Groups.(Opens in a new tab)  In: Borstel, Dierk/Brückmann, Jennifer/Nübold, Laura/Pütter, Bastian/Sonnenberg, Tim (Eds.): Handbook on Housing and Homelessness. VS-Verlag. First online publication.

2021
Böning, Anja/Blome, Frerk/Möller, Christina (2021): From Collective to Individualized Social Mobility? Biographical Narratives of Law Professors from Low-Status Families of Origin in Transition. Journal of Sociology of Law 40 (1-2), pp. 179–208.

2020
Möller, Christina/Gamper, Markus/Reuter, Julia/Blome, Frerk (2020): From Working-Class Child to Professorship. Social Relevance, Empirical Findings, and Sociobiographical Reflections.(Opens in a new tab)  In: Reuter, Julia/Gamper, Markus/Möller, Christina/Blome, Frerk (eds.): From Working-Class Child to Professorship. Social Mobility in Academia. Bielefeld: transcript, pp. 9–63.

2019
Böning, Anja/Möller, Christina (2019): “Well, I actually kind of stumbled into everything”—Social Mobility to a University Professorship: The Case of Legal, Social, and Educational Scientists. In: Stamm, Margrit (ed.) (2019): Working-Class Children and Their Fear of Social Mobility. Problems and Opportunities for Young People on the Path to Success. Budrich-Verlag, Opladen, pp. 61–87.

Blome, Frerk/Möller, Christina/Böning, Anja (2019): Open House? Class-Specific Career Opportunities at German Universities.(Opens in a new tab)  Social Inclusion, Volume 6, Issue 4. (Peer-Reviewed Open Access Journal)

2018
Möller, Christina/Böning, Anja (2018): Ambivalent Processes in the Status Transitions from Undergraduate Studies to a Professorship: On the Parallelism of Social Openness and Closure at the University. Journal of the Sociology of Education and Socialization (ZSE), (38) 3, pp. 234–249.

Möller, Christina (2018): Precarious Careers and the Illusion of Equal Opportunity. In: Laufenberg, Mike/Erlemann, Martina/Norkus, Maria/Petschick, Grit (eds.): Precarious Equality. Gender Justice, Social Inequality, and Precarious Employment Conditions in Academia. Springer-VS, Wiesbaden, pp. 257–278.

2017
Möller, Christina (2017): Internationality and Social Inequality. Professors with a Migration Background at the University. In: Internationalization, Diversity, and Inclusion in Academia(Opens in a new tab)  (IVI) 3/2017, UniversitätsVerlagWebler (UVW), Bielefeld, pp. 75–85 (Unaltered reprint of the essay of the same name in the anthology edited by Neusel and Wolter, published by Campus-Verlag; see below).

Möller, Christina (2017): Internationality and Social Inequality. Professors with Migration Backgrounds at the University. In: Neusel, Aylâ/Wolter, Andrä (eds.): Mobile Science. From the Internationalization of Higher Education to Transnational Science(Opens in a new tab) . “Higher Education and Society” series. Campus-Verlag, Frankfurt am Main, pp. 311–332.

Möller, Christina (2017): The Influence of Social Background on the Professorial Body: Developments—Differentiations—Intersectional Perspectives(Opens in a new tab) . In: Gengnagel, Vincent/Hamann, Julian/Hirschfeld, Alexander/Maeße, Jens (eds.): Power in Science and Society. Discourse and Field-Analytical Perspectives. Springer-VS, Wiesbaden, pp. 113–137.

Möller, Christina (2017): Limited Opportunities: From the Illusion of Equal Opportunity on the Path to a University Professorship(Opens in a new tab) . In: Rieger-Ladich, Markus/Grabau, Christian (eds.): Pierre Bourdieu. Pedagogical Readings. Springer VS, Wiesbaden, pp. 63–81.

2016
Reitz, Tilman/Graf, Angela/Möller, Christina (2016): Not Worth Funding. Why the Evaluation of the Excellence Initiative Argues Against Its Continuation(Opens in a new tab) . In: sub/urban. Journal of Critical Urban Sociology (4) 2, pp. 9–20.

Möller, Christina (2016): Social Selection from Undergraduate Studies to Professorship. On the Significance of Social Background in Academic Careers. In: Lange-Vester, Andrea/Sander, Tobias (eds.): Social Inequality, Milieus, and Habitus in Higher Education(Opens in a new tab) . Beltz-Juventa, Weinheim and Basel, pp. 287–302.

2015
Graf, Angela/Möller, Christina (2015): Introduction. In: Graf, Angela/Möller, Christina (eds.): Education – Power – Elites. On the Reproduction of Social Inequality(Opens in a new tab) . Campus-Verlag, Frankfurt am Main, pp. 9–16.

Möller, Christina (2015): Social Background—Not an Issue in Academic Careers. On the Interrelationships Between the Dimensions of Inequality—Social and National Background as Well as Gender—Among Professors. In: Graf,
Angela/Möller, Christina (eds.): Education – Power – Elites. On the Reproduction of Social Inequality.(Opens in a new tab)  Campus-Verlag, Frankfurt am Main, pp. 152–179.

Möller, Christina (2015): On the symbolic reproduction of a culture that destroys animals. An analysis of the power of advertising and how it turns animals into commodities(Opens in a new tab) . In: Brucker, Renate/Bujok, Melanie/Mütherich, Birgit/Seeliger, Martin/Thieme, Frank (eds.): The Human-Animal Relationship. A Social Science Introduction. Springer VS, Wiesbaden, pp. 269–297.

2013
Möller, Christina (2013): How Open Is the University Professorship to Socially Mobile Individuals? Exploratory Analyses of the Social Background of Professors at Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia(Opens in a new tab) . In: *Soziale Welt* 4, Vol. 64, pp. 341–359 (nominated for the 2013 Fritz Thyssen Prize for Social Science Articles).

Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Möller, Christina/Schürmann, Ramona/Heusgen, Kirsten (2013): Academia or Parenthood? On the Influence of Employment Conditions on Academic Staff’s Decision to Become Parents. In: Gützkow, Frauke/Quaißer, Gunter (eds.): Shaping Higher Education—Food for Thought on the Tension Between Differences and Inequality. UniversitätsVerlag Webler, Bielefeld, pp. 75–95.

2012
Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Heusgen, Kirsten/Möller, Christina (2012): Trapped by Time Constraints. Decisions Regarding Childbearing in the Context of Academic Life. In: Bertram, Hans/Bujard, Martin (eds.): Time, Money, Infrastructure—On the Future of Family Policy. Special Issue 19 of Soziale Welt. Nomos, Baden-Baden, pp. 239–258.

Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Möller, Christina/Heusgen, Kirsten (2012): Collisions—Researchers Caught Between Qualification, Precarization, and Generativity. In: Beaufays, Sandra/Engels, Anita/Kahlert, Heike (eds.): Simply Great? New Gender Perspectives on Careers in Academia(Opens in a new tab) . Campus-Verlag, Frankfurt am Main, pp. 233–256.

2011
Möller, Christina (2011): Mid-Level Academic Staff—Privileged and Precarious? In: Journal Netzwerk Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung NRW, 28/2011, 41–49.

Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Heusgen, Kirsten/Möller, Christina/Schürmann, Ramona/Selent, Petra (2011): Reproductive Decisions and Precarious Employment Conditions of Academic Staff at Universities. In: *Femina Politica*, Journal of Feminist Political Science, No. 1, Vol. 20, 166–172.

Möller, Christina (2011): Social Background of Early-Career Researchers—Parental Education and Career Paths of Female Fellows in the Research Training Group “Gender Relations and Social Change.” In: Wergen, Jutta (ed.): From Research to Funding: Doctoral Students in the Spotlight of Universities. Series: Education – Higher Education – Innovation, Vol. 11. LIT-Verlag, Münster, pp. 85–103.

2010
Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Heusgen, Kirsten/Schürmann, Ramona/Selent, Petra/Möller, Christina (2010): In Search of the Lost Next Generation. Mobility and Dropout Among Early-Career Researchers. In: Journal of Higher Education Pedagogy, no., pp. 14–17.

Heusgen, Kirsten/Schürmann, Ramona/Selent, Petra/Möller, Christina (2010): Are Early-Career Researchers Caught in the Marginalization Trap? The Impact of Employment Conditions on Parenthood Among Researchers. In: Bauschke-Urban, Carola/Kamphans, Marion/Sagebiel, Felicitas (eds.): Subversion and Intervention. Science and Gender (Dis)order. Barbara Budrich Publishers, Opladen & Farmington Hills, pp. 179–199.

2009
Möller, Christina/Metz-Göckel, Sigrid (2009): Academic Culture Contributes to Childlessness. A Study on Parenthood Among Female and Male Researchers at Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia. In: Journal Netzwerk Frauenforschung NRW, No. 25, pp. 27–29.

Möller, Christina (2009): Academic Careers and the Role of Social Background—Parental Education and Career Paths of Female Fellows in the Research Training Group “Gender Relations and Social Change.” In gesis (ed.): Social Science Information Service (soFid), Women’s and Gender Studies 1, pp. 11–21.

2008
Zimmermann, Karin/Möller, Christina/Zupanic, Michaela/Heusgen, Kirsten (2008): Investigating Student “Dropout.” In: Journal of Higher Education Pedagogy, 19, No. 2, pp. 21–23.

2006
Möller, Christina (2006): Doctorate—and What Comes Next? Results of a Follow-Up Study on Female Fellows of the DFG Research Training Group “Gender Relations and Social Change—Women’s Scope for Action and Power to Define.” In: Journal Netzwerk Frauenforschung NRW, No. 21, pp. 45–49.

2005
Auferkorte-Michaelis, Nicole/Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Wergen, Jutta/Klein, Annette. With contributions by Möller, Christina/Kociemba, Elisabeth (2005): Young Parenthood and Academic Careers. How Child-Friendly Are Academia and Universities? In: Journal of Women’s Studies & Gender Studies, No. 4, pp. 14–24

1 Möller, Christina (2023): Working-class child or "daughter from a good home"? Origin and gender (almost) always count.(Opens in a new tab)  Statement in the conference documentation of the Gender Congress 2023, Geschlechter(un)gleichheit an Hochschulen; published by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, pp. 73-77

2 Möller, Christina (2021) "Sozialer Aufstieg als Irritation der sozialen Ordnung. Analysen im Feld der Bildung und Wissenschaft zwischen Individuum und Struktur"(Opens in a new tab)  Publication-based habilitation thesis for the attainment of teaching qualification in the field of sociology at the University of Cologne in 2021.

3 Möller, Christina/Graf, Angela (2021): Social advancement under difficult conditions. On the relationship between social background and academic careers(Opens in a new tab) . In: #IchbinHanna - A hashtag against the law on temporary academic contracts. Documentation of the GEW symposium and active networking on July 1, 2021. ed. and published by GEW, pp. 33-36.

4 Möller, Christina (2018): Diverse professorship? Intersectional findings using the example of universities in North Rhine-Westphalia(Opens in a new tab) , In: CEWSjournal No. 114, pp. 67-70 [Journal of the Competence Center Women in Science and Research of gesis - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Cologne

5 Möller, Christina (2017): Equalized classlessness? A plea for an integrative concept of equal opportunities in scientific careers. In: humboldt equal opportunities. Diversity as responsibility (December 2017) 9th year, p. 26-28.

6 Möller, Christina (2016): Passungsverhältnisse im Bildungssystem - Beiträge zur theoretischen und empirischen Systematisierung einer Forschungsheuristik. Report on the spring conference of the section "Bildung und Erziehung" on 08/09/05/2015 in Marburg. In: Sociology. Journal of the German Sociological Association, Volume 44, Issue 1/2016.

7. van Dyk, Silke/Möller, Christina/Reitz, Tilman (2016): Vertical differentiation. Knowledge devaluation through status competition, in: Forschung & Lehre 5, pp. 302-303.

8 Graf, Angela/Möller, Christina (2015): Wissenschaft und Politik - Interview with Michael Hartmann, Waldbronn near Karlsruhe on 16.03.2015, in: Graf, Angela/Möller, Christina (eds.). Education - Power - Elites. On the reproduction of social inequality. Campus-Verlag, Frankfurt am Main, pp. 287-322.

9 Möller, Christina (2014): A working-class child to a professorship? Academic careers and social background. In: Research & Teaching 6, pp. 372-374.

10 Lengersdorf, Diana/Mense, Lisa/Möller, Christina/Schäfer, Sabine (2012): Thinking beyond the margins. Interdisciplinary perspectives on gender research. Conference report on the workshop of the Mittelbau network on 16.11.2012 at the University of Duisburg-Essen. In: Journal Netzwerk Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung NRW 31, pp. 47-48.

11 Möller, Christina (2011): Mid-level academic staff - privileged and precarious? In: Journal Netzwerk Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung NRW, 28/2011, 41-49.

12 Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Heusgen, Kirsten/Schürmann, Ramona/Selent, Petra/Möller, Christina (2010): In search of the lost offspring. Mobility and drop-out of young academics. In: Journal Hochschuldidaktik, H., pp. 14-17.

13 Möller, Christina/Metz-Göckel, Sigrid (2009): Academic culture provokes childlessness. Study on parenthood among researchers at universities in NRW. In: Journal Netzwerk Frauenforschung NRW, H. 25, pp. 27-29.

14 Möller, Christina (2009): Academic careers and the role of social background - Parental education and career paths of the female fellows of the Research Training Group "Gender Relations and Social Change". In gesis (ed.): Sozialwissenschaftlicher Fachinformationsdienst (soFid), Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung 1, pp. 11-21.

15 Zimmermann, Karin/Möller, Christina/Zupanic, Michaela/Heusgen, Kirsten (2008): Tracking down the "dropout" of students. In: Journal Hochschuldidaktik, 19, H. 2, pp. 21-23.

16 Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Möller, Christina (2008): "Elternschaft und Wissenschaftskarriere" - Eine empirische Studie zur Kinderlosigkeit und Elternschaft der Wissenschaftler/innen an den nordrhein-westfälischen Universitäten. In: Hannover Medical School: Best Practice - Family-friendly universities in Lower Saxony. Documentation of the conference on May 30, 2007 at the Hannover Medical School, pp. 11-13.

17 Zimmermann, Karin/Metz-Göckel, Sigrid. In collaboration with Gehrmann, Britta/Massner, Jut- ta/Möller, Christina and Schäfer, Sabine (2007): "Vision und Mission" - Die Integration von Gender in den Mainstream europäischer Forschung. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden.

18 Zimmermann, Karin/Heusgen, Kirsten/Möller, Christina/Zupanic, Michaela (2007): Study program-related dropout analyses. Concept, results and recommendations for the Technical University of Dortmund - project report. Dortmund: University Didactics Center.

19 Möller, Christina (2006): Doctorate - and what afterwards? Results of a follow-up study on the female doctoral candidates of the DFG Research Training Group "Gender Relations and Social Change - Women's Scope for Action and Defining Power". In: Journal Netzwerk Frauenforschung NRW H. 21, pp. 45-49.

20 Auferkorte-Michaelis, Nicole/Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Wergen, Jutta/Klein, Annette. With the collaboration of Möller, Christina/Kociemba, Elisabeth (2005): Young parenthood and academic careers. How child-friendly are science and universities? In: Journal for Women's Studies & Gender Studies, H. 4, pp. 14-24.

21 Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Eichler, Susanne/Grefer, Anne/Möller, Christina/Schütte, Gaby (2002): Projekt Kooperationsformen und -strukturen von Runden Tischen/Arbeitskreisen zum Abbau häuslicher Gewalt in NRW. Ergebnisse einer Bestandsaufnahme, published by the Ministry of Health, Social Affairs, Women and Family of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

1 Heusgen, Kirsten/Koch, Dorothee/Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Möller, Christina/Schürmann, Ramona/Selent, Petra (2013): Fluctuation and mobility in university mid-level staff. In: Consortium Federal Report on Early Career Researchers: Federal Report on Early Career Researchers (BuWiN). Statistical data and research findings on doctoral candidates and doctoral graduates in Germany, Bielefeld, pp. 238-242.

2 Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Heusgen, Kirsten/Möller, Christina/Schürmann, Ramona/Selent, Petra (2011): Employment conditions and parenthood among academic staff at higher education institutions (universities and universities of applied sciences) in the state of Lower Saxony. Expertise for the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture.

3 Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Heusgen, Kirsten/Möller, Christina/Schürmann, Ramona/Selent, Petra (2010): Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. Employment conditions and childlessness of researchers in 2006 and 1998. Expertise for the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen.

4 Metz-Göckel, Sigrid/Selent, Petra/Schürmann, Ramona/Möller, Christina/Heusgen, Kirsten (2009): Arbeitsplatz Hochschule. Gender, employment relationships and childlessness among academic staff at universities and universities of applied sciences in Germany. Expertise for the Equal Opportunities Commission of the Federal Government, Dortmund 15.12.2009; results published in: "Neue Wege - Gleiche Chancen. Equality of women and men in the course of life". Report by the Expert Commission to the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth for the Federal Government's first Gender Equality Report, January 2011.

2026

Presentation and participation in the panel discussion at the 65th anniversary celebration of the Westfalenkolleg Dortmund on October 15, 2026

"Educational Opportunities – A Question of Capital?!", lecture and participation in the closing panel at the conference "Financing the Welfare State and Its Significance for Education" organized by the Education Financing Working Group of the Education and Science Union in Göttingen on September 12, 2026.

"Dropout or Advancement? Group-Specific Educational Disadvantages in Higher Education," keynote address at the conference "Higher Education in the Correctional System" on June 17, 2026, at the University of Kassel.

2025

Panel discussion as part of the online workshop "First Generation Academics" by arbeiterkind.de on May 22, 2025.

"Social Mobility: A Balloon Ride or an Obstacle Course?" Lecture and discussion at the Sozialinstitut Kommende in Dortmund Brackel on April 29, 2025.

Panel discussion "The University as a Space of Experience: From the First Semester to a Professorship" as part of the lecture series "Social Mobility through Education? First Gen at the University – Experiencing – Sharing – Explaining" (with Barbara Friebertshäuser and Sylvi Mauermeister) at the University of Wuppertal on January 15, 2025, 2:15–3:45 p.m. (in-person and via Zoom)

2024

"Social Mobility Through Education? Problems and Problematizations in (Educational) Mobility Research" (together with Julia Reuter) at the Section Conference of the German Sociological Association on September 24, 2024, in Osnabrück (paper successfully submitted).

"Experiences of Educational Mobility: An Empowering Reading"; reading from autobiographical notes, Education and Science Union, First-Generation Doctorate Program, Erfurt on June 15, 2024 (by invitation)

"This Path Will Not Be an Easy One. Educational Mobility in Academia." Lecture at the workshop for doctoral students at the Institute of Philosophy at Humboldt University Berlin on April 24, 2024 (by invitation)

Experience report as a professor at the Career Forum of TU Dortmund on March 18, 2024 (by invitation)

2023

"From working-class child to professor? The power of social background" Lecture at the CHESS Center of Excellence for Higher Education and Science Research at the University of Zurich on March 30, 2023 (by invitation) Video of the lecture (Opens in a new tab) 

“Working-class child or ‘daughter from a good family’: Background and gender (almost) always matter," keynote presentation at the workshop "Anti-Discrimination and Equality" at the GENDER Congress "Gender (In)equalities at Universities" at Ruhr University Bochum on February 9, 2023, organized by the NRW Ministry of Culture and Science, conducted by the Coordination Office of the Network for Women’s and Gender Studies NRW (by invitation)

2022

"Classism and Social Shame: Sociological Perspectives on an Everyday Phenomenon," Lecture at the “Colloquium on Modern and Contemporary History/Business Studies and Social History” at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Essen on December 5, 2022 (6:00–8:00 p.m.) (by invitation)

"Education through Social Mobility," a conversation between Prof. Dr. Aladin El-Mafaalani and myself on November 13, 2022, 4:00–6:00 PM at Taranta Babu Dortmund, organized and funded by Chancenwerk e.V. (by invitation)

"Social Background and Other Inequalities in Academia," lecture in the ad hoc group "Social Polarizations in Sociology? Intersectional Perspectives on the Academic Field" at the 41st Congress of the German Sociological Association in Bielefeld on September 30, 2022 (by invitation)

"On the Illusion of Equal Opportunity in Higher Education," short presentation at the international conference of the Society for Analytical Philosophy (GAP.11) on September 14, 2022, in Berlin (by invitation)

"Off the Beaten Path: Sociobiographical Reflections on the Path from Secondary School to Higher Education," lecture as part of the Studium Generale lecture series "How I Became a Professor" at the University of Tübingen on May 31, 2022 (by invitation)

2021

"Class and Classism in Academia" Lecture at the research colloquium of the Political Sociology Department at the University of Jena on December 6, 2021 (by invitation)

"Inequalities in Academic Careers. What Role Do ‘Class, Race & Gender’ Play, and What Forms of Discrimination Are Associated With Them?" Keynote address at the doccolloq at the University of Trier on December 3, 2021 (digital) (by invitation)

Panelist at the conference "Background Shapes Careers" at the University of Cologne on June 15, 2021 (virtual) (by invitation)

Panelist on the topic “Social Inequality at Universities – How Does Class Manifest Itself in the Academic World?” at the institute colloquium “Return of Class? (New) Cultural Studies Perspectives on Social Inequality” at the University of Tübingen on May 20, 2021 (online) (by invitation)

"Background Shapes Careers—or on Advancement in Academia" Opening lecture at the Hamburg Research Academy’s PhD Student Day in Hamburg on April 15, 2021 (virtual) (by invitation)

"Background Matters (Almost) Always. The Influence of Social Background in Higher Education" at the doctoral student exchange "Pursuing a Ph.D. in the Time of Corona: First to Study – First to Earn a Ph.D.?" at TU Dortmund University on February 18, 2021 (online) (by invitation)

2020
"Background matters (almost) always. The influence of social background in higher education." Presentation at the conference "Social Background in the Academic Context" organized by the "Diversity Network at Universities" on December 3, 2020 (online) (by invitation)

"Social Exclusion in a Privileged Profession—and How to Stop It." Presentation at the workshop "Diversity in the Academic System" organized by the German Research Foundation (DFG) on November 25, 2020 (online) (by invitation)

2019
"Working-Class Children in Higher Education—Then and Now" at the 10th-anniversary celebration of Arbeiterkind.de Bochum at Ruhr University Bochum on November 8, 2019 (by invitation) and participation in the panel discussion of the same name

"The Myth of Equal Opportunity? Social Background and Academic Careers," lecture on February 14, 2019, at the University of Osnabrück as part of the event series organized by the Center for Doctoral Candidates and Postdocs at the University of Osnabrück (by invitation)

Panelist at the discussion event “Alma Mater, Where Are Your Women? University Support for Women Under Scrutiny” organized by the Office for Equality and Diversity on February 7, 2019, at the University of Mainz (by invitation)

2018
"The Challenge of Educational Mobility? From Working-Class Child to Professor," lecture as part of an event organized by the City of Hagen on September 25, 2018 (together with Prof. Dr. Ahmet Toprak) (by invitation)

"A Diverse Faculty? Insights from the Example of North Rhine-Westphalia," lecture at the symposium "Diversity in Higher Education. Studies. Teaching. Staff Development" on July 5, 2018, at RWTH Aachen University (by invitation).

"From Working-Class Background to Professorship? Analyses and Challenges for Social Inclusion," lecture at the Young Scholars’ College of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences and Arts in Düsseldorf on June 21, 2018 (by invitation)

"Who Becomes a Professor?" Lecture as part of the symposium “Educational Mobility and the Fear of Social Mobility” at the 2018 Congress of the German Society for Educational Sciences (DGfE) at the University of Duisburg-Essen on March 19, 2018 (by invitation).

2017
“Academic Career – What Lies Ahead?” Lecture as part of the symposium of the Graduate Center at Fachhochschule Dortmund and Arts on November 24, 2017, at Fachhochschule Dortmund, as well as panelist on the topic “Career Paths After the Doctorate” (by invitation).

Panelist at the panel discussion “Gender and Diversity – (In)equality of Opportunity in Academic Careers and the Development of Excellence” at the kick-off event of the ProFiL program organized by TU Berlin, Humboldt University, and FU Berlin on October 4, 2017, at TU Berlin (by invitation).

“From Working-Class Background to Professorship?” Keynote at the workshop “Diversity in Transition: Higher Education – Academic Career” organized by the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Research of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia on February 20, 2017, in Cologne (by invitation).

2016
“Social Exclusion in a Privileged Profession. The Increasing Importance of Social Background Among Professors” Presentation as part of the specially proposed ad hoc group (together with Dr. Angela Graf (TU Munich), Dr. Alexander Lenger (University of Freiburg), and Dr. Christian Schneickert (University of Magdeburg)) “Academia—a closed society?” at the 38th Congress of the German Sociological Association in Bamberg from September 26–30, 2016 (successful ad hoc group application).

“Academic Careers and Social Inequality. Who Becomes a Professor?”, lecture as part of the Sociology Department Colloquium at the University of Hildesheim on June 22, 2016 (by invitation).

“Social Inequalities Among Professors” as part of the research colloquium of the German Center for Higher Education and Science Research (DZHW) in Hanover on June 14, 2016 (by invitation).
“Academia—an increasingly closed society?” Lecture in the “Social Change” course at the University of Cologne on June 6, 2016 (by invitation).

“Climbing Up – Educational Mobility from Lower Social Classes to University Professorships: The Case of Legal, Social, and Educational Scientists” (with Dr. Anja Böning) on June 2–3, 2016, at the spring conference of the Education and Socialization Section of the German Sociological Association in Essen (successful paper submission).

“Academic Careers and Social Inequality. Who Becomes a Professor?” Lecture at the Doctoral Forum of the German Business Studies Foundation in Gollwitz near Brandenburg/Havel on January 29, 2016 (by invitation).

“Structural Change, Precarization, and the Illusion of Equal Opportunity,” Keynote address at the Education Sciences Research Day at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, as well as panelist in the public discussion “Frankfurt Education Sciences in the Mirror of Structural Change and Precarization” on January 26, 2016 (by invitation).

“Diversity Among University Professors: Social Background, Gender, Migration,” lecture in the event series “Ordered—But Not Picked Up? Social Background and Educational Mobility at Universities. All Equally Different!? - Diversity in Theory and Practice” organized by the Diversity Network at the University of Göttingen (Institute for Diversity Research, Center for Gender Studies, Office for Gender Equality at the University of Göttingen, and the Diversity Management Office of the Department of Studies and Teaching) on January 13, 2016 (by invitation).

2015
“Education for All? The Influence of Social Background on Educational Opportunities in Germany” at the profile day of the Center for Educational Research and Teacher Education at the University of Paderborn on November 25, 2015 (by invitation).

“Social Selection on the Path to a Professorship: On the Significance of Social Background in University Academic Careers” at the public workshop of the Higher Education Policy Working Group of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) “The Illusion of Equal Opportunity: Career Opportunities in Academia” in Hanover on November 27, 2016 (by invitation).

“How Accessible Is the Professorship for Social Risers?” 12th Conference of the European Sociological Association “Differences, Inequalities, and the Sociological Imagination” in Prague, Czech Republic, August 25–28, 2015 (successful paper submission).

“The Influence of Social Background in the Professoriate: Developments, Differentiations, Intersectional Perspectives” at the university-wide conference “Science and Society: Perspectives on Power, Discourse, and Field Analysis” at the University of Bonn on July 31, 2015 (paper successfully submitted).

“Social Mobility to University Professorships – A Model on the Way Out?” as part of the Sociology Colloquium at the University of Duisburg-Essen on July 8, 2015 (by invitation).

“Background (Almost) Always Matters. The Social Background of University Faculty and Possible Influences on Research & Teaching” at the university-wide conference “Social Inequalities, Milieux, and Habitus in Higher Education” at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover on February 20, 2015 (by invitation).

“Seduction to the Pleasure of the Dead Animal – An Analysis of the Advertising Industry’s Power and How It Turns Animals into Commodities” as part of the public Environmental Policy Theme Week at TU Berlin on January 30, 2015 (by invitation).

2014
“Social Mobility to a Professorship – A Thing of the Past?”, lecture as part of the university’s public lecture series “Higher Education for All or Elite Education?” at the University of Münster on December 4, 2014 (by invitation).

“From Working-Class Child to Professorship? The Social Origins of University Professors,” opening lecture as part of the interdisciplinary public lecture series “Education and Social Inequality: Social Challenges and Shaping the Future” at the University of Paderborn on November 5, 2014.

“From social climber to university professor?”, lecture at the 8th GEW Science Conference “Between Expansion and Exclusion: Transitions in the Higher Education System,” October 8–11, 2014, in Haltern am See (by invitation).

“From Working-Class Background to a Professorship?”, lecture at the Institute of Sociology at the University of Freiburg on July 9, 2014, as part of the Collaborative Research Center “Leisure” (by invitation).

“Regimes of Social Inequality Among University Professors,” keynote address at the university-wide conference “Potential Diversity or Obstacle? Dimensions of Social Inequality and Their Significance for the Career Paths of Researchers” at HAW Hamburg on June 5–6, 2014, organized by the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, the Hans Böckler Foundation, and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (by invitation).

2012
“How Open Is the University Professorship to Socially Mobile Individuals?” Presentation at the international conference “Educational Inequality and Justice – Academic and Societal Challenges” in Bern, Switzerland, on July 3, 2012 (successful paper submission).

2010
“On the symbolic reproduction of a culture that destroys animals. An analysis of the advertising industry’s power and how it turns animals into commodities.” Lecture as part of the university-wide public lecture series “They’re just animals, aren’t they!?” at the University of Hamburg on December 14, 2010 (by invitation).

“Mid-level academic staff—precarious and/or privileged?” Lecture at the workshop “Precarization Processes in Mid-Level Faculty – Theoretical Concepts and Practical Challenges” organized by the Network for Women’s Studies NRW at TU Dortmund on December 1, 2010 (by invitation).

“Risks and Unintended Consequences: Academic Careers and Childlessness” at the university-wide symposium “Science and Gender. Careers and Barriers on the Path to the Top" at the University of Hamburg on February 18–19, 2010 (by invitation, together with Kirsten Heusgen).

2009
“Young Academics Without Children? Employment Conditions at Universities and Their Consequences for Reproductive Decisions,” Regional Conference of the German Sociological Association (DGS): Structural Change Toward Metropolises? Organization – Culture – Production on September 29, 2009, at Ruhr University Bochum (paper accepted).
“Academia as a Way of Life – Parents Unwelcome?” Lecture as part of the public lecture series “Only Those Who Know the Goal Find the Way” at the University of Mannheim on May 26, 2009 (by invitation, together with Kirsten Heusgen).

2008
“Social Background and Professional Success of Female Fellows in the Research Training Group ‘Gender Relations and Social Change’” at the university-wide conference “The Venture of Science. Perspectives on Doctoral Funding and Research" at the Technical University of Dortmund on November 6, 2008 (successful paper submission).

“Results of the study ‘Doctorate—and what comes next?’ Where the female doctoral candidates of the Research Training Group 'Gender Relations and Social Change' ended up” at the DFG meeting of female doctoral candidates on July 18, 2008, at the Technical University of Dortmund (by invitation).

2007
“Parenthood and Academic Career – An Empirical Study on Childlessness and Parenthood Among Researchers at Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia” at the university-wide conference “Best Practice – Family-Friendly Universities in Lower Saxony’ at Hannover Medical School on May 30, 2007 (by invitation, jointly with Sigrid Metz-Göckel).

07.07.2025, Ruhr-Nachrichten: Sociologist on Dortmund "Social advancement is becoming increasingly difficult with rapidly growing poverty"(Opens in a new tab) 

20.09.2022, didacta - der Bildungspodcast: From working-class child to professorship: How fair is our education system? (available on Spotify(Opens in a new tab) , Apple Podcast(Opens in a new tab) , Amazon Music(Opens in a new tab) , Deezer(Opens in a new tab) , Tunein(Opens in a new tab) , Podcast.de(Opens in a new tab) , Google Podcast(Opens in a new tab) )

27.01.2022, Deutschlandradio, broadcast: Aus Sozial- und Kulturwissenschaften, topic: "Classism as a form of discrimination. A theoretical search for traces"(Opens in a new tab)  (interview excerpts)

12.07.2021, Freies Radio Wüste Welle: Recordings of the (online) event "Von den Hürden des Bildungsaufstiegs"(Opens in a new tab)  Christina Möller and Markus Rieger-Ladich at the University of Tübingen

17.01.2021, Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (FAS),"Ich habe mich dumm gefühlt(Opens in a new tab) " by Katrin Hummel, p. 11, (interview excerpts on the topic of social selectivity and social advancement). (paywall)

04.01.2021, ORF 1, science series "Dimensions", Vienna (Austria): Radio report (interview excerpts) on the topic "From the workbench to the pulpit - advancement in the sciences" (25 min.)

04.01.2021: Accompanying text to the radio report:"Frau Professor aus dem Arbeitermilieu?(Opens in a new tab) " Science ORF. (Opens in a new tab) 

08.12.2020, Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ), Essen: "Wie es ein Arbeiterkind schafft, Medizin zu studieren" - Interview excerpt, Text: Niklas Bessenbach.

07.10.2020, Hertz 87,9 (Radio of Bielefeld University):"When it comes to educational opportunities, social class is much more powerful than gender(Opens in a new tab) " - Interview: (23 min.)

14.09.2020, MOMENT.at (Austria): Advancement in science: "We are a long way from equal opportunities for working-class children(Opens in a new tab) " - Interview, Text: Katharina Egg, Momentum Institute

03.09.2020, vorwärts.de: Working-class children in science. The tendency towards social closure is increasing(Opens in a new tab) . Interview.

5/2020, DUZ (magazine for science and society): "Aus einfachen Verhältnissen". Interview excerpts from our own research on the social background of researchers and social advancement in science. Text: Anja Schreiber. S. 64-66.

14.07.2020, taz, "Book from working-class child to professorship: Lifelong insecurity(Opens in a new tab) "

03.06.2020, Ruhrbarone.de."In our society, social background plays a major role in educational and career opportunities(Opens in a new tab) "

02.06.2020, Deutschlandfunk, Program: Campus und Karriere; "Sozialer Aufstieg in den Wissenschaften Teil 1" Interview on the publication of the volume"Vom Arbeiterkind zur Professur. Social advancement in science(Opens in a new tab) " as co-editor. (4 min.)

16.05.2020, Nordstadtblogger (Dortmund),"You have no chance, so use it(Opens in a new tab) ". Contribution to the edited volume "Vom Arbeiterkind zur Professur. Social advancement in science" (ed. Julia Reuter/Markus Gamper, Christina Möller, Frerk Blome) (Opens in a new tab) 

26.01.2019, Times Higher Education: "Working class 'increasingly excluded' from German academia. Since the 1970s, an increasingly competitive job market has come to advantage the already privileged" (by David Matthews)(Opens in a new tab) 

13.01.2016, Helmholtz Association, Science Policy (online). "There is no elite without competition! In Germany, social background has a decisive influence on who becomes a professor, who rises to top scientific positions and who does not." (Guest commentary by Dr. Anja Kühne)

December 2015, Education & Science (E&W). Magazine of the education union GEW. "In the hands of the elites. A very good social background helps on the way to a professorship - and even more so when making the leap into the academic ultra-elite." (Guest article by Dr. Anja Kühne), p. 32.

30.09.2015, Tagesspiegel (print and online): "Best career opportunities for the privileged. Nowhere does social background play a greater role than in the appointment to a junior professorship. That is a fatal signal.(Opens in a new tab) " (own guest article)

June 2015, Co-determination. Das Magazin der Hans-Böckler-Stiftung: "Schlechte Karten für Aufsteiger" (Martin Kaluza), (review of the book Christina Möller "Herkunft zählt (fast) immer" and Angela Graf "Die Wissenschaftselite Deutschlands.")

10.06.2015, DocCheck.com: "Pathways to medical studies: A closed society?(Opens in a new tab) " (Jakob Simmank)

05.05.2015, Socialnet - Reviews: "Christina Möller: Origin (almost) always counts.(Opens in a new tab) " (Prof. Dr. Uwe Helmert)

02/03/04/2015, Süddeutsche Zeitung: "Willkommen in der Ständegesellschaft 2.0" (Alex Rühle) (no longer online) + reader commentary "Eine Frage der Herkunft(Opens in a new tab) " (Prof. Dr. Reinhard Damm) (Opens in a new tab) 

11.02.2015, Telepolis: "Hand-picked professors. Why social background is the most important factor in a university career(Opens in a new tab) " (Rudolf Stumberger). (Opens in a new tab) 

14/15/02/2015, TAZ Beruf & Qualifikation, p. 33: "The middle classes keep to themselves(Opens in a new tab) " (Martin Kaluza)

02.07.2014: Böckler-Impuls: "An der Uni lehrt die Oberschicht(Opens in a new tab) " (without indication of an author)

04.06.2014, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "From an exclusive home?(Opens in a new tab) " (Gerald Wagner)

04.06.2014, Spiegel-Online: "Elitärer(Opens in a new tab) Zirkel: Professoren sind selten Arbeiterkinder" (no author given)

15.03.2014, Neues Deutschland: "The illusion of educational advancement(Opens in a new tab) " (Jens Wernicke)

10.03.2014, Kritische Nachdenkseiten: "The illusion of educational advancement(Opens in a new tab) " (Jens Wernicke)

04.03.2014, Zeit-Online: "Professors come from the highest class(Opens in a new tab) " (Anja Kühne) (Opens in a new tab) 

03.03.2014, Tagesspiegel: "The subtle differences make the professor(Opens in a new tab) " (Anja Kühne)