Jutta Allmendinger

Jutta Allmendinger is an Honorary Professor of Sociology at the Free University of Berlin and former President of the Berlin Social Science Center (WZB), serving from 2007 until August 2024. She is also Professor of Educational Sociology and Labor Market Research at the Humboldt University of Berlin. Her work spans multiple institutions including the WZB where she led the President's Research Group and currently heads the Doctoral Program "Good Work in a Transformative World."

Professor Allmendinger's research focuses on critical areas of contemporary society including the sociology of the labor market, sociology of education, social inequality, social policy, organizational sociology, and sociology of the life course. Her work particularly emphasizes gender equality, educational policy, and the intersection of work and family life. She has conducted extensive research on how educational systems shape life trajectories and social mobility, with a special focus on gender disparities.

Allmendinger's publications reveal a consistent focus on understanding and addressing social inequalities, particularly gender inequality in the workplace and society. Her recent work has increasingly addressed the challenges of work-life balance, the impact of the pandemic on gender relations, and the need for structural changes to achieve true gender equality. She advocates for a 32-hour workweek as a pathway to more equitable sharing of domestic and professional responsibilities.

• Marie Juchacz Women's Prize 2022
• German Diversity Award "Personality of the Year" 2021
• Focus Top 100 Frauen 2020
• Science Communication Medal 2020
• Bundesverdienstkreuz erster Klasse 2013

Professor Allmendinger has been instrumental in shaping public debate on gender equality and educational policy in Germany. She has advised government bodies and participated in policy development, particularly regarding work-family balance and educational reform. Her "Legacy Study" conducted with infas and DIE ZEIT has provided valuable insights into how Germans envision their future and societal changes needed.

At the WZB, Allmendinger leads research initiatives focusing on "Good Work" and has been central to projects examining young people's visions of society and cohesion. Her work bridges academic research and practical policy applications, making significant contributions to both theoretical understanding and real-world social change.