Elisabeth Brenker appointed as new Central Equal Opportunities Officer

Around 70 guests braved the heatwave and came together in the Rudolf Chaudoire Pavilion on the Campus South in temperatures of 37 degrees. Colleagues, companions and many familiar faces from the university were there - also to say thank you.

In her speech, Martina Stackelbeck looked back on 15 years as Central Equal Opportunities Officer. "It all started 15 years ago in the Equal Opportunities Office," she opened her speech. But her connection to the TU Dortmund goes back even further: she began her studies in economics and social sciences in 1979 and worked at the Social Research Center for many years. For her, gender equality work was never just an office, but an attitude. "Gender equality can be achieved through cooperation. Confrontation doesn't get you anywhere," says Stackelbeck. She demonstrated this attitude in countless conversations, committee meetings, projects - or, more specifically, in almost 400 appointment procedures, which she supported directly or indirectly with her expertise and perseverance.

In her speech, she also took time for personal matters: she will miss her team in particular - "our discussions about the latest films, trends and music". Her team bid her farewell with a special gift: the logo of the Equal Opportunities Office - made on a 3D printer. A little piece of the Equal Opportunities Office for her retirement at home, which she will be taking up in a few weeks' time.

Rector Prof. Dr. Manfred Bayer also found personal words. "I don't know the TU Dortmund without Ms. Stackelbeck. Did the office even exist before her?" he asked with a wink. He thanked Martina Stackelbeck for many years of commitment, which she had always brought to committee work with a keen eye, clear words and great seriousness. As a farewell gift, he presented her with a small present for the camper van she now wants to take on her travels. He added with a smile: "Maybe we'll see you here on campus in your camper van. My parking space would be free for that."

Ellen Hilf, Deputy Director of the Social Research Center Dortmund, offered a different perspective on Martina Stackelbeck's path. She recalled Stackelbeck's beginnings at the University of Dortmund and her academic work on topics such as parental leave, work organization and conflicts in organizations. Even back then, she was someone who questioned structures and initiated concrete change. She later took this attitude with her to the university and pursued it there with vigor.

The speech by Dr. Ute Zimmermann, Martina Stackelbeck's predecessor in office and Head of the Staff Unit Equal Opportunites, Family, and Diversity, was also very personal. "I realized very quickly how strategically well you understand your job," she said. Right from the start, it was noticeable that Martina Stackelbeck started the job with clear guiding principles and a strong sense of justice. "We have worked hand in hand over the last few years - and I want to thank you for that."

Elisabeth Brenker, the new Equal Opportunities Officer at TU Dortmund University and Martina Stackelbeck's colleague of many years, concluded her speech. In a short inaugural speech, she introduced herself and her career and took a look into the future of equal opportunities work at TU Dortmund University.

The 36-year-old TU Dortmund University alumna has extensive experience in equal opportunities work, especially at TU Dortmund University. She worked for the Equal Opportunities Office for many years - most recently as an employee of the Staff Unit Equal Opportunites, Family, and Diversity with a focus on coordinating university-wide equal opportunities processes. She announced that her focus as Equal Opportunities Officer will be on promoting gender equality in the departments and raising awareness of the issue of gender diversity. With regard to TU Dortmund University's efforts to distinguish itself in the Excellence Initiative and promote internationalization, she stated: "An intersectional view of all measures that we are launching as a university and as a network is mandatory and more relevant than ever." She is looking forward to supporting TU Dortmund University in this.

As a farewell, the assembly was invited to linger and have a drink. With champagne, orange juice, fruit, snacks and water ice, the atmosphere in the Rudolf Chaudoire Pavilion was relaxed and easy-going. People talked, laughed and shared memories. Afterwards, the celebration continued in a small group - with music, good food and lots of conversation in the rooms of the Equal Opportunities Office.