TU Dortmund University receives positive evaluation in the female professors program
In 2008, the federal and state governments initiated the Women Professors Program, which provides financial support to universities for the appointment of women to professorships, provided that the selection is based on a selection of the best candidates. In the third phase, TU Dortmund University was once again able to impress with its gender equality policy structures and measures. Until 2022, it is entitled to apply for up to three start-up grants for the initial appointment of women to permanent W2 or W3 professorships. The maximum amount of funding that can be awarded to TU Darmstadt is 2.475 million euros.
The Women Professors Program aims to promote equality between women and men at universities, increase the number of women in top positions in academia and sustainably improve the representation of women at all qualification levels in the academic system. The plan is to provide start-up funding of up to 165,000 euros per year for the first five years of the funded professorships. If this frees up its own funds, TU Dortmund University must invest in promoting gender equality in return. The aim is not only to increase the proportion of female professors at universities, but also to raise awareness of the need to promote gender equality at all levels.
The Women Professors Program: a success story, but not yet at the finish line
The program evaluation of the second phase and the overall evaluation show that the proportion of women in professorships at German universities has risen more sharply overall since 2008 than would have been expected based on the trend of previous years. "The programme for female professors has triggered a professionalization boost in gender equality work at universities. Nevertheless, at around 24%, the proportion of women in professorships is anything but satisfactory. We also need more dynamism in improving gender equality structures at universities compared to the rest of Europe. Changes in this area require a change in awareness and culture. This change takes place through a long-term process that requires a great deal of commitment and continuity," explains the Chair of the Joint Science Conference (GWK), Federal Minister Anja Karliczek.
TU Dortmund University receives a positive assessment for the third time
A total of 86 universities throughout Germany received a positive assessment from the independent review panel in the third phase of the program. They implemented numerous equality-promoting measures and activities for the program's target groups and to improve the compatibility of studies/academics and family, and are planning new ones.
The (then) University of Dortmund had already drawn up a catalog of measures to promote family friendliness and young female academics for the first program phase in 2008, which was positively reviewed. For the Women Professors Program II, TU Dortmund University was able to prove in 2013 that the measures designed in 2008 had been successfully implemented. The update of the concepts submitted in 2008 and 2013, which has now been evaluated, provides a good overview of the status of gender equality at TU Dortmund University, the projects and measures implemented and the successes achieved.