Prof. Dr. Knut Petzold is awarded the first research professorship at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences for his research on "Securing skilled workers in Saxony and the region".
Prof. Dr. Knut Petzold receives the first research professorship awarded by the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences for his research on "Securing skilled workers in Saxony and the region". This will start in the winter semester 2024/25 for a period of four semesters. The funds for this come from the special allocations of the Free State of Saxony for the basic research equipment of the university.
Knut Petzold has been Professor of Methods of Empirical Social Research at the Faculty of Social Sciences since 2020. His general research interests include empirical social structure analysis and social inequality research with a particular focus on multi-method research designs. The research professorship enables him to intensify his current work at the interface between higher education, labor market and migration research.
Petzold studied sociology and psychology at the University of Leipzig, where he also completed his doctorate in 2011. His career path took him via Siegen, Magdeburg, Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Hanover and Bochum, among others, to Görlitz. He is currently the spokesperson for the "Modelling and Simulation" section of the German Sociological Association (DGS) and is involved as an organizer of the "Sociology of Spatial Mobilities" research stream in the European Sociological Association (ESA).
Within the framework of the research professorship, three interconnected research fields are to be continued and expanded through further third-party funding applications. The first field of research will examine the potential that immigration via universities has for regional labor markets. A second research field focuses on the significance of social capital against the background of complex spatial mobility processes, such as weekly commuting and working from home. A third field of research examines the role of perceived political culture as a location factor in attracting and retaining academic specialists and managers. Accompanying transfer events with representatives from the field are planned.
With its decision in January 2023, the Rectorate paved the way for the awarding of research professorships. These will be awarded alternately between the STEM and GSW subject groups. The aim is to strengthen the professors' research and third-party funding capabilities and to support ongoing research and transfer activities. The funds provided enable the research professorship to be partially released from teaching duties and to finance supporting personnel and material expenses during the funding period. The next research professorship will be awarded to the STEM subject group and is scheduled to begin in the winter semester 2026/27. Applications must be submitted in January 2026. The prerequisite is that corresponding financial resources continue to be available. Further information can be obtained from the Research Unit. Together with Prof. Dr. Knut Petzold, the Office of Research will provide information on the progress of the research.
Further information on Prof. Dr. Knut Petzold can be found on his profile on the faculty website.
