...in terms of young talent & career

The proportion of women in professorships at the University of Koblenz-Landau in 2020 is around 35.3%, which is around 10% above the national average of 25.6%, determined by Statista for 2019. It is therefore not surprising that the university is usually at the top of gender equality rankings. However, there is still no question of "gender parity". What is meant by this is defined by the so-called "cascade model": in simple terms, it states that a qualification level should have as many women* or men* or other gender identities as the qualification level below it, i.e. there should be as many professors* as post-doctoral students*, as many post-doctoral students* as PhD candidates*, etc. in percentage terms. At the University of Koblenz-Landau, the so-called "leaky pipeline", i.e. the point at which one gender is suddenly underrepresented in proportion, is evident in the transition from doctorate to post-doctoral qualifications. In Germany, this trend begins at the transition from undergraduate to doctoral studies.

For this reason, gender equality measures in the funding of underrepresented persons already start at this point. On this page you will find an overview of measures and projects to counteract these developments, which keep women* in particular in a disadvantaged position.

But women* also continue to be disadvantaged in non-scientific professional life, as shown, for example, by the figures published annually on the gender pay gap. Career advancement is therefore also part of the classic catalogue of equal opportunities measures, which can also be found at the University of Koblenz.

However, women* are not only structurally disadvantaged in academic positions, but also in the technical and administrative areas of the university, such as secretaries, who carry out the mostly 'invisible' organisational work. An association of this status group is briefly presented here.

Ada Lovelace project

The aim of the Ada Lovelace project is to encourage girls* and young women* to pursue a career in STEM and to show them what is possible with STEM. The aim is to break down traditional role models and strengthen the positive image of STEM professions.

To this end, inhibitions are broken down and STEM topics are made tangible and brought to life. The events focus on practical experience and experimentation, from handicrafts to programming. Together in a group and without pressure. The fun factor is paramount on this journey of discovery into the worlds of Mathematics / Natural Sciences and technology.

The Ada Lovelace project is particularly committed to equal opportunities, support for early career researchers, boosting self-confidence, breaking down prejudices, improving the STEM image, involving diverse target groups and funding digital competences.

Interdisciplinary Centre for Research, Graduate Support and Human Resource Development

The IFGPZ is the central point of contact for questions relating to doctorates and the post-doctoral phase as well as for personal and generic further education for (prospective) academics.

As a central scientific institution with many years of experience in graduate support, the Interdisciplinary Centre for Research, Graduate Support and Human Resource Development uses its expertise in the following subject areas:

  • Organising the transitions between qualification levels up to professorship appointment
  • Offers from and information about financial support options
  • Development of career strategies and education profile development
  • Ensuring qualitative standards in graduate support
  • Implementation of new grant programmes

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Research, Graduate Support and Human Resource Development is aimed at doctoral candidates, doctoral students, postdocs, junior professors and newly appointed professors who are at the beginning of their professorial career, as well as supervisors of junior professors.

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Research, Graduate Support and Human Resource Development prigrams are also based at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Research, Graduate Support and Human Resource Development.

Mentoring-program

To raise awareness and promote cooperation and equal opportunities, Interdisciplinary Centre for Research, Graduate Support and Human Resource Development mentoring incorporates equal opportunities topics and perspectives into the central institution's event programme and also makes them visible on its own LinkedIn page. Interdisciplinary Centre for Research, Graduate Support and Human Resource Development consists of four lines and supports (prospective) academics at the University of Koblenz on their individual qualification and career paths. Various programme elements enable a process-based and intensive examination of one's own career. The programme is aimed at:

Master's students and graduates interested in doing a doctorate

ment_Master accompanies the decision-making process for a doctorate or to successfully prepare for the entry into the new qualification phase doctorate.

PhD candidates

ment_Doc supports PhD candidates in the individual realisation of their doctorate and promotes the proactive preparation of an academic career.

Postdoctoral researchers

ment_Postdoc supports female postdocs in making professorship appointments and preparing for an academic career.

Junior professors and first appointed professors

ment_Prof accompanies junior professors and first appointed professors during their current career stages and enables an individual combination of different programme elements.

Participants are accompanied by (external) scientists from the scientific community as mentors in upcoming career steps and supported by the Interdisciplinary Centre for Research Graduate Support and Human Resource Development with a supplementary programme.

NaWi further qualification for young female scientists

NaWi - Further qualification for female scientists has set itself the goal of increasing the proportion of women in scientific careers. The programme pursues this goal through various funding lines, which are intended to increase the visibility and networking of women in academia on the one hand and to provide time and financial relief in particularly challenging phases on the other.

Visibility and networking:

  • Publication grant - Subsidising printing costs and the correction of foreign-language publications
  • Conference hosting - Funding for the independent organisation and implementation of a scientific conference

Financial and time relief

  • NaWi scholarship - Funding for the transition to the doctoral or post-doctoral phase or the final phase of the doctorate
  • (Post-)Doc with child - Student assistant to support female (junior) scientists with child(ren) during the doctorate and post-doctoral phase

Interdisciplinary Career and Study Centre

Interdisciplinary Career and Study Centre (IKaruS) is one of the central scientific institutions of the University of Koblenz. The target group are prospective students and students in all phases of their studies, in the acquisition of foreign languages and key competences and in the transition from university to professorship appointment.

Secretaries' network

The "Secretaries' Network" project was launched back in 2014 with an initial meeting of all university secretaries at the Landau campus. The Koblenz campus followed in 2016. The main aims are to exchange information through regular meetings and to help new secretaries get started.
In this Uni blog article to find out more about the work of the Secretaries' Network and how it came about.