Prof Dr Anna Maria Oberländer is a role model

How do you see yourself as a "border crosser between science and business"?

I see myself as a border crosser between science and business - in particular between research, teaching and practice. My ambition is to build bridges between these areas. My involvement in research and teaching as a junior professor at the University of Bayreuth and as Director at the FIM Research Institute, as well as my practical work at Fraunhofer FIT, enable me to bring my research findings and theoretical knowledge about the digital transformation and digital innovation of established companies into practical applications, while at the same time recognising problems in practice, examining them in detail in my research and developing relevant solutions. I am able to pass on the knowledge and experience gained from my research and work with companies to the next generation in my teaching.

"Responsible digitalisation also needs strong women" - why?

I am firmly convinced that responsible digitalisation for individuals, organisations and our society can only succeed if diverse perspectives are taken into account and integrated - especially those of women. Diverse perspectives and experiences help to develop digital solutions that meet the needs of all people individually and our society in general.

What are the gender equality deficits in the field of digitalisation? What problems do women face? When will they start?

Digitalisation is increasing the importance of STEM education and professions, in which women are still underrepresented. The proportion of women in STEM has been rising only slowly for years and is around one third of students (sources link, link). Women are still significantly underrepresented in academic STEM professions, especially in top positions and in patent applications - despite the fact that the potential of women in these innovation-driven professions is of great importance (source link). The reasons for this are manifold and include structural, cultural and psychological barriers such as stereotypes and the role of gatekeepers. Studies show that explicitly addressing young women by including identification figures (i.e. role models) is a promising way to interest and attract them to study subjects and professions in the field of digitalisation. This is also where I would like to start with my involvement as a BayFiD role model and contribute to motivating young women and inspiring them to pursue digital professions.

How do you assess the situation at UBT in this respect?

For me, it is very clear that the University of Bayreuth is a young, dynamic and research-oriented campus university that is committed to equal opportunities across roles and recognises diversity as a source of innovative potential. The University of Bayreuth pursues ambitious goals in terms of equal opportunities and offers very good framework conditions and helpful support options, including the Equal Opportunities Service Centre, innovation-oriented equal opportunities funding and coaching and mentoring programmes. As a junior professor, I feel very comfortable here, as a scientist with a family I am seen holistically and I am very grateful that I am accompanied in my professional and personal development in the field of business informatics by relevant role models, mentors and sponsors in a goal-oriented manner.

What does your commitment to equal opportunities and the advancement of women look like in concrete terms?

The topics of diversity and equal opportunities are particularly close to my heart, which is why I am involved both within the university, for example as part of innovative equal opportunities measures, and beyond university boundaries, for example in the "Die WI" sub-community WI women. There, I have already organised and moderated panel discussions with outstanding female professors of business informatics and launched initiatives on topics such as "unconscious bias" or "inclusive communication". In addition to my involvement at university level, I take on an ombudsman role as a lecturer at the Bavarian Elite Academy and support several women as a mentor - and now also as a BayFiD role model - on their career and personal development path, which gives me great pleasure. As a BayFiD Rolemodel, I was able to give an initial impulse last week at BayFiD Eve on the topic of "Digital Transformation" (see link).

I would like to use my experience in research, practice and leadership to support and challenge students and doctoral candidates in their academic, practical and personal development, regardless of gender, religion or social background. I pay particular attention to encouraging women and developing them into future, self-confident and responsible decision-makers in the context of the digital economy.