Senate elects new university women's representative

The previous University Women's Representative Prof. Dr. Birgit Weber (Inorganic Chemistry IV), who was elected for a term of two years, has received a call to the University of Jena and will begin her service there in the winter semester of 2023/24. She is therefore relinquishing office after one year. During Birgit Weber's term of office, the Equal Opportunities Service Office developed the structural development concept 'Gender - Offensive - Research. Early Career Researchers in View' (BMBF guideline for the promotion of structures for the systematic consideration of gender-related aspects in research questions), the 'Equality Concept for Parity' as well as an application for funds from the Programme for Women Professors 2030 were prepared and submitted to the respective institutions.

The Senate elected her successor on 19 July. Prof. Dr. Heike Feldhaar will take office as University Women's Officer for the remaining term of one year on 1 October 2023. She has been Professor of Animal Population Ecology since 2011, was previously Deputy University Women's Officer and Faculty Women's Officer for several years, as well as Ombudsman for Young Scientists.

In the last twelve months, the women's representatives, in cooperation with the Equal Opportunities Service Office, have developed a new equality concept for academic staff. In this 'Equality Concept for Parity' for the term from 2023 to 2027, the 'Target Agreements of the University Management for the Implementation of Equal Opportunities for the Sexes' are a central document. The target agreements were negotiated with the Faculty Women's Representatives and Deans of the seven faculties and signed in the Senate in July. The university is now supported by the new university women's representative in the implementation of the equal opportunities concept and the measures within the framework of the target agreements.

At the Bavarian universities, commissioners for the equality of women in science and the arts are appointed to ensure that female academics, artists, female teachers and students are not placed at a disadvantage. They are bound to secrecy, are not bound by instructions and support the universities in the actual implementation of equal rights for women and men (cf. BayHIG, Art 22).