"We need more women in science,” says Celina Spaethe, research associate and member of the volunteer team of women’s representatives. "The number of women in management positions should also be increased," adds Maren Hartstock, who leads the Practice Office and International. Doctoral candidate Maria Kristalova states the case: “In our Faculty, three female professors face 15 men. That is simply not enough women.” Since we all know that fine words merely express intention, but do nothing to really help, the program comprises a very concrete package of measures.

Facilitating participation at conferences

The program is divided into two parts. It should be made easier for female students who are interested in doctoral positions and early-career researchers to participate in high-level scholarly meetings. They should, for example, be able to attend conferences without being actively involved and having to hold a lecture or similar. “There are so many great conferences where women can network and find orientation,” says Maria Kristalova. It’s a shame when female students can’t take part simply because they can’t afford to. “Such meetings can be an incentive to stay longer in academia,” adds Antje Bollen, a research associate and member of the women's representative group. It should be made easier for master students in particular to attend conferences, networking meetings and measures of further training. Now the Faculty will give them financial support from their own resources.

The Dean: “Break down structural hurdles”

Professor Jochen Zimmermann, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, is in agreement. “Our women's representatives have hit the nail on the head. We have to break down structural hurdles for the transition to careers in academia,” he says. “That's why we will use our limited resources to help the master students.” After completing their studies, many women opt for a career job in a company, to have a recognized period of practice after a family break. Academic experience falls by the wayside, and that puts downward pressure on the number of Ph.D. positions for women.

Engage a child minder

The program explicitly takes student mothers in its sights. “We offer mothers children under the age of 14 an allowance of 50 euro a day to facilitate their attendance at conferences and participation in further education,” says Marija Shkolnykova, the fifth in the group, who is currently doing her doctorate. “Now they can engage a child minder for the time they’re away." The members of the group all agree in future it’s going to be easier for mothers to attend such functions.

Tandems of mentee and mentor

In addition to the financial support described above, the concept includes a mentoring and coaching program. For a period of one year tandems are to be formed, in each of which a seasoned alumna mentor supervises a master student as a mentee. “The idea came straight from one of our alumni,” says Maren Hartstock – a perfect way for a transfer of experience and advice to take place. “We have six places in the program,” adds Maria Kristalova. The women's representatives want to fill them with the best master's students. In addition to the individual exchange in the tandems, appointments for individual coaching will be offered from April 2018 onwards. The topics are personality development, networking, work-life balance, application training, and the role of women on the academic career path. “I’m pleased that we can access our very own network to implement the mentoring program. This also makes the University more visible to externals,” emphasizes the Dean, Professor Zimmermann.

The application deadline for the program is April 1 and the kick-off event will be on April 27, 2018.