Bielefeld's universities receive awards: Equality creates the future!

Bielefeld's universities receive awards: Equality creates the future!

On June 17, 2025, Bielefeld University and Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (HSBI) were honored for their outstanding achievements in the area of ​​equality. Both universities received the title “University with Strong Equal Opportunities”. The honor took place in the Bielefeld knowledge workshop, where Mayor Pit Clausen and over 100 guests were present. In her speech, Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär emphasized the need to increase the proportion of women in scientific leadership positions. NRW Minister Ina Brandes praised the universities' innovative equality concepts, which contribute significantly to the innovative strength.

Rector Prof. Dr. Angelika Epple from Bielefeld University and Prof. Dr. Ingeborg Schramm-Wölk, President of the HSBI, emphasized that the integration of equality into the university culture is of central importance. In the last 15 years, Bielefeld University has implemented over 400 measures to promote equality. HSBI's equality strategy is based on gender mainstreaming and is integrated into university planning. These measures ensure that equality is not just a slogan, but a lived practice at both universities.

Sustainable equality policy

A key result of the award is the opportunity for both universities to apply for three professorships for women and one professorship for a young female scientist. As part of the celebrations, a panel discussion on the perspectives of equality policy in the higher education sector also took place. Dr. Uschi Baaken, the central equal opportunities officer at Bielefeld University, pointed out the need for a sustainable equality policy. Prof. Dr. Katja Makowsky, HSBI's central representative for equal opportunities, highlighted the variety of support offers for different life situations.

The female professorship program, which has supported over 900 professorships since its introduction in 2008, plays an important role in equality between women and men at German universities. The aim of the program is to increase the proportion of women in top scientific positions and to counteract the “leaky pipeline” phenomenon. The last round of submissions for the program (PP 2030) is currently running until August 31, 2025, during which universities can submit equality concepts in order to receive funding.

Slow progress in equality

But progress on equality is slow, the data shows. Although women in Germany are successful in obtaining educational qualifications up to doctorates - 46% of doctoral students are women - their proportion in higher academic positions is falling: 37% are female habilitation candidates and only 29% are professors. The proportion of women in professorships grew only slowly from 20.4% in 2012 to 28% in 2022. This development demonstrates the challenges that universities face, especially with regard to filling leadership positions and professional levels.

In addition, 12 universities were particularly recognized for their equality concepts. The next selection round will take into account additional universities in 2024, which can submit applications for start-up funding by September 30, 2026. The total financial volume of the female professor program amounts to 320 million euros for the third and fourth phases (PP 2030), which raises hopes for improved conditions for women in science.

The decades-long efforts to increase the proportion of women in science are starting to show positive effects, but there is still a lot to be done. Markus Blume, deputy chairman of the Joint Science Conference (GWK), commented: “The direction is right, but we still need to gain more momentum.” The award from Bielefeld University and HSBI is a step in the right direction to sustainably promote and establish equality in science.

For more information on the programs and progress in equality, the reports from Bielefeld University, BMBF as well as Research and teaching be consulted.