Visitors entering the “Forum am Domshof” are greeted by women whose scientific achievements—once denied recognition—find a place here. They have been visualized using artificial intelligence by science photographer Gesinde Born. Their stories are told here.

The exhibition introduces two thematic areas that will be addressed on June 2, 2026, by Jutta Günther, Frauke Meyer, and Sigrid Dauks from the University of Bremen in an open lecture. On the one hand, they will highlight which women at the University of Bremen served as trailblazers, and on the other hand, they will discuss the role that artificial intelligence plays overall and specifically in gender equality processes.

“We also need women who are still alive!” …

… With these words, Prof. Dr. phil. Sabine Doff transitions from the exhibition to the introduction of the women who are now taking their places on stage. It is a gathering of “firsts”: Jutta Günther as the first female president, Frauke Meyer as the first female director of finance and administration, and Sigrid Dauks as the first female head of the University of Bremen Archives. The discussion is moderated by Conny Ladenthin and Marica Tomiak.

Flower Power and the Teacher Shortage

The moderator’s first question transports the panelists back to the 1970s. They associate Flower Power with large-flowered wallpaper and recall their childhoods in the countryside. But another aspect of the zeitgeist emerges. According to the Civil Code (BGB) of that time, women would be responsible for running the household. They were permitted to work, provided this could be reconciled with their domestic duties.

The University of Bremen was founded during this period. At this point, Sigrid Dauks takes the audience on a journey back in time to the university’s founding. Key issues at the time of its founding included the expansion of the school system and the prevailing teacher shortage, the role of science, and the democratization of higher education. The University of Bremen emerged as a reform-oriented institution, and the “Bremen Model” was ahead of its time in several respects.

Pioneers at the University of Bremen: Heide Gerstenberger and Helga Gallas

Against this backdrop, Frauke Meyer profiles Heide Gerstenberger. She was a member of the Founding Council and served as its chair for a time. Subsequently, as a professor at the University of Bremen, she made significant contributions to higher education policy.

Jutta Günther presents Helga Gallas as the second trailblazer, who in 1993 became the first woman at the University of Bremen to be elected to the office of vice president. She studied German language and literature, journalism, and political science. At the University of Bremen, she contributed to the development of the field of literary theory and methodology.

What is the status of gender equality efforts at the University of Bremen?

Sigrid Dauks shares the archive’s resources with everyone present and explains that the University of Bremen has always played a pioneering role in the area of gender equality—both in the field of gender studies and in its work to promote equal opportunity and combat discrimination. For example, with the opening of the Administrative Unit - Equal Opportunities | Antidiscrimination (ADE) in 1993, the University of Bremen was (once again) one of the first. 

From the Exception to the Norm?

Following these remarks, Frauke Meyer emphasizes that, despite—or perhaps precisely because of—what has already been achieved at the University of Bremen, it is necessary to continually assess where new forms of discrimination are emerging that need to be addressed. After all, no institution is free of discrimination.

And a look back at the discussions also reveals to the attentive listener: where so many women are “the first,” it may not yet be entirely safe to speak of the norm. Frauke Meyer also reports on an obvious lack of normality in her initial tenure in the position, which she had not anticipated at all. But she also speaks of the support she received from her colleagues when she applied for the position. For the Q&A session about her application, which took place on a Wednesday, her colleagues gave her a T-shirt with the slogan “On Wednesdays we smash the patriarchy.”

A New Player Brings Both Opportunities and Risks: AI in the Gender Equality Process

At the end of the event, the topic of AI is discussed with the audience. The audience members primarily raise concerns about the risks associated with AI in various contexts. Concerns are expressed regarding the very low representation of women in the development of AI models and the data used to train them. After all, AI works with what is made available to it. The use of AI in hiring processes is also critically examined. Since AI relies on patterns, and if the pattern does not include women in leadership positions, an AI model will not be able to process the available data in a thoughtful manner. 

Daring to Leave a Gap: Trailblazers Today!

A final comment from the audience rounds out the evening. It is directed at the women on stage, who had responded rather hesitantly when asked if they saw themselves as trailblazers. This comment points out that any man in this situation would have hooked his thumbs under his suspenders and answered with a hearty “Yes” and Jutta Günther and Frauke Meyer could also rightly claim that for themselves.