Susanne Stuermer: New challenges for the Babelsberg Film University!

Susanne Stuermer: New challenges for the Babelsberg Film University!

On September 18, 2025, Science Minister Dr. Manja Schüle in Potsdam handed over the appointment certificate to Prof. Dr. Susanne Stuermer, who will begin her third term as President of the Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF Film University on October 1, 2025. Sturmer has headed the film university since October 1, 2013 and has made a significant contribution to the development and establishment of the university during this time.

Born in November 1963 in Leer, East Frisia, Prof. Dr. Susanne Stuermer grew up in Hamburg and studied economics starting in 1987 at the Free University of Berlin, achieving her diploma as an economist. In 1996, she earned her doctorate at the same institution with a dissertation focused on network access and property rights in telecommunications. She began her professional career in 1992 at Price Waterhouse Corporate Finance GmbH.

Professional background

From 1998 to 2013, Sturm brought her expertise in the film industry to management positions at UFA GmbH, where she was appointed managing director in 2006. Her move to the academy took place in October 2011, when she was appointed as an associate professor for “New Media Production” at the Potsdam-Babelsberg University of Film and Television. She finally took office as president in January 2013, which ended her teaching career.

As part of her presidency, Stürmer initiated numerous reforms. Under her leadership, the school was converted into a university in July 2014 and she promoted the strengthening of research and transfer activities. She also aimed for national and international networking and the creation of new teaching offerings. Stuermer is also represented on the supervisory board of media.net Berlin-Brandenburg and the Erich Pommer Institute, as well as on the board of trustees of proWissen Potsdam e.V.

Commitment to the media industry

From 2016 to 2020 she was the representative of the state of Brandenburg on the ZDF television council and was appointed to the supervisory board of Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH in 2020. In the ascending professional role, she became president of ELIA, the European League of Institutes of the Arts, in November 2022. In addition, she was elected deputy chair of the Art University Rectors' Conference in spring 2022 and is a member of the "Standing Commission for Organization and Governance" of the University Rectors' Conference.

Despite her successes, Stürmer not only brings experience but also an awareness of the challenges women face in the media and creative industries. A study by ProQuote entitled “Women Leaders in the Media: The Hard Way to the Top” highlights the structural hurdles women face. Although the proportion of women in journalism in Germany is around 44%, only 13% of leadership positions are held by women. 56% are still held by men.

The study also found that women often face unsafe working conditions, such as fixed-term contracts, and lower average earnings. It is therefore crucial that the industry evolves and takes steps to promote gender parity in leadership roles.