Professors between Autonomy and Engagement: Political Attitudes at the Science–Policy Interface in Germany

Abstract This article examines professors from six academic disciplines at German universities as policy-relevant actors and investigates how political and party-political attitudes relate to their willingness to engage at the science–policy interface. Drawing on original survey data, we analyze professors’ preferences for direct cooperation with political actors using ordinary least squares regression models. We situate professors’ engagement within changing institutional expectations, the “mission dilemma” arising from expanding tasks beyond research and teaching, and the potential risk of politicization. Contrary to our initial expectations, most hypothesized relationships are not supported. Neither ideological orientation nor sympathy for specific political parties is significantly associated with professors’ willingness to cooperate with political actors. Political interest and cultural capital emerge as relevant factors. Overall, our findings challenge common assumptions about the relationship between professors’ political attitudes and their willingness to engage in policy advice in Germany.