Why Organisations Like Universities Cannot Not Lobby

Science is under pressure worldwide: from cuts in research funding to political attacks on academic freedom. At the same time, universities and research institutions are accused of acting like powerful lobbies. But how do they actually communicate with politics? There has been no solid data so far – this study takes a closer look.


Theory:
The study draws on theories of society, management, and communication, arguing that lobbying is part of science communication and central to the democratic process.


Method:
A mixed-methods approach was applied: 18 expert interviews and a standardized online survey sent to more than 600 universities, research institutions, and alliances in Germany, resulting in 120 evaluated responses.


Key Findings:

  1. Lack of strategy – more than 90% have no written lobbying concept.
  2. Communication professionals play little to no role; presidents themselves engage in political conversations.
  3. Alliances remain weak due to limited resources and missing common strategies.


Contribution:
The study demonstrates that lobbying is not foreign to science but an essential element of science communication – necessary both to safeguard academic freedom and to strengthen democracy.


Further Information


  • Presentation at the FIREtalk Conference on 27 August 2025 at the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) in Mannheim