Deutsch Intern
Graduiertenschule für die Geisteswissenschaften

Atanasova, Vanya

Congratulations on passing the viva voce examination
on 27 October 2011.

Dissertation topic: "Educational intentions and educational trajectories of adolescents and young adults."

Doctoral scholarship: STIBET scholarship from the DAAD (1 July - 31 December 2010)

Contact address at the University of Würzburg:
Institute for Political Science and Social Research
University of Würzburg
Wittelsbacherplatz 1
97074 Würzburg

Email to Mrs Atanasova

First supervisor: PD Dr Jan Künzler

Second supervisor:

Prof. Dr Heinz Reinders

Prof Dr Wolfgang Schneider

Class in the graduate school: "Education and Culture"

Doctorate in the Graduate School since SS 2008.

Abstract:
The enormous importance of education is repeatedly emphasised in scientific and educational policy discussions and yet not all young people pursue and realise higher qualification opportunities. In order to investigate this fact, it is first necessary to analyse educational intentions in depth, as these form the basis of actual participation in education. It is particularly important to examine whether this results in social inequality and to what extent educational intentions differ in terms of the extent of social inequality at different levels of further education.

The aim of this research project is to empirically analyse the educational intentions and actual educational pathways of young people based on decision-theoretical models and using suitable longitudinal data. By comparing the factors influencing educational intentions with regard to aspired school qualifications, aspired higher education qualifications and actual participation in education, the aim is to find out whether the same theoretical elements have an effect on intentions and actual transitions, to what extent social inequality arises and whether there are differences in their extent. In this way, insights can be gained into whether the selection of hierarchically higher educational alternatives and their realisation is more a consequence of social inequality or can be attributed to rational cost-benefit considerations.