TU Clausthal: Focus on equality for women in science!

TU Clausthal: Focus on equality for women in science!

The Clausthal University of Technology was recently accepted into the 2030 Professor Program, a crucial step for equality at German universities. This initiative includes 56 selected universities that have distinguished themselves through their equality policy goals. Prof. Heike Schenk-Mathes, Vice President for Equal Opportunities at Clausthal University of Technology, commented on the importance of this inclusion and the upcoming changes.

The female professor program aims to increase the proportion of female professors in the university landscape. In order to apply for funding, universities must submit concepts for equality and provide evidence of the appointment of a female professor. Recent promotions at TU Clausthal include the appointments of Ani Melkonyan-Gottschalk, Aleksandra Zimmermann and Ines Hauer as university professors.

Promote equality

The President of Clausthal University of Technology, Dr.-Ing. Sylvia Schattauer, highlights the relevance of equality in science. A central element of the university's equality concept is the promotion and qualification of young female scientists. Planned measures include the further development of the WiMINToring mentoring program, which specifically addresses the individual needs of young female scientists.

Dr. Natalia Schaffel-Mancini, the equal opportunities officer, describes further goals of the program: It is intended to open professional networks for women and to specifically develop their skills. Another focus is on the women's network “Women&Science TU Clausthal”, which is intended to specifically support international scientists and students.

Background of the program

The 2030 Female Professor Program was approved by the Joint Science Conference (GWK) in November 2022 and is part of a long-standing effort to increase the proportion of women at universities. The funding is worth a total of 320 million euros and is intended to create top scientific positions for women over a period of eight years. The program is intended as a response to the so-called “leaky pipeline”, in which the proportion of women drops dramatically after completing their doctorate: from 46% of doctoral students, 37% of postdoctoral candidates to just 28% of professors.

The goal of the female professor program is not only to increase the number of female professors, but also to create sustainable equality structures at universities in Germany. Universities are required to have their equality concepts assessed externally in order to be able to take part in the program. 92 universities successfully took part in the first selection round. Financing is provided by the federal and state governments, which in addition to the Clausthal University of Technology also support four other state universities in Lower Saxony in the program.

By participating in the 2030 Female Professor Program, Clausthal University of Technology is sending a strong signal for equal opportunities and the promotion of women in science, which not only benefits the university but also society as a whole.

For further information about the goals and structures of the professorship program, please visit the website BMBF can be visited while the details about the TU Clausthal are on their official site can be read.