SIIRI actively promotes gender equality by supporting female scientists at all career levels through tailored programs, such as coaching, further education, seminars, and events along their career path.

This includes for example:

• Seminars on developing individual career paths, application strategies, and presentation techniques for female scientists at the beginning of their academic career.
• Financing the participation in one-day seminars of the German Association of Universities (DHV) for female scientists aspiring to a university professorship.
• Special workshops on legal topics such as “working hours,” “maternity,” and “data protection” are offered to aspiring female professors
• In addition, SIIRI, in collaboration with partners from academia and industry, has launched scientific lecture series, such as the “SIIRI Implant Lecture Series” as well as the ‘SIIRI Seminars of Women in Science (SWS)’ that actively promote the visibility of female researchers.

By establishing an independent, gender-parity Committee for Equity and Diversity, SIIRI ensures the needs-oriented identification of priority issues based on regular assessments and the tracking of career trajectories of female scientists, driving the implementation of specific measures.

The commission evaluates statistics related to diversity factors among SIIRI employees, reviews the demand for diverse event offerings, and manages the planning, execution, and evaluation of surveys relevant to equity and inclusion. Additionally, it enhances the visibility of female scientists through the tailored design of the SIIRI homepage and by recommending them for presentations, panels, session chair roles, and media inquiries.

SIIRI has established the “SIIRI Seminars of Women in Science (SWS)” network, providing a platform for female scientists at all career stages to engage in meaningful discussions. Initiated by our spokesperson in collaboration with the SIIRI Committee for Equity and Diversity, this network facilitates the exchange of ideas among female scientists.

The SWS network offers young female scientists the opportunity to benefit from the experiences of female subproject leaders and female professors who serve as mentors. Participants gain valuable insights, receive tips, suggestions, and support in pursuing their career goals. We invite you to join our seminars featuring keynote lectures by internationally outstanding female scientists. These role models share their career paths, research experiences, and insights into career trajectories and planning, aiming to inspire young female researchers to achieve their goals.

SIIRI has implemented a program to support expectant mothers during pregnancy and parents, both mothers and fathers, during parental leave. This initiative aims to facilitate project continuity by allocating funding for supportive technical staff from central SIIRI funds. Additionally, SIIRI recognizes the significance of work-life balance and provides flexible adjustments to working hours, along with the option for parents to work from home on designated days. We actively assist in coordinating these efforts with existing family programs available at MHH, LUH, and our partner institutions.

Family services at our partner institutions:

Recognizing the persistent underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, particularly in engineering and natural sciences, MHH, LUH, and partner institutions have launched several initiatives to support and promote female students and scientists across all career levels. Some of these programs include:

• ‘Ina Pichlmayr Mentoring’ (IPM) at MHH: targeted at female postdocs at MHH aiming for postdoctoral qualification and aspiring to a professorship.
• ‘Ellen Schmidt Program’ (ESP) at MHH: Complements IPM by relieving MHH female scientists from routine activities, allowing them to focus on completing their habilitation.
• ‘Project U’ at LUH: Offers a qualification program for female students entering careers in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology (MINT disciplines).
• ‘Caroline Herschel Program’ at LUH: Supports young female scientists in disciplines where women are underrepresented through funding doctoral positions, post-doctoral positions, and junior professorships.

These initiatives reflect a broader commitment to gender equality, encompassing all gender equality measures at MHH, LUH and partner institutes outlined in their respective comprehensive programs.

SIIRI actively participates in the MHH program “Pooling of DFG Funds for Equity and Diversity”, which organizes further training measures specifically designed for female scientists. Workshops under this initiative cover essential topics, such as team leadership and conflict management. Additionally, the program offers individual potential analysis sessions to empower and support female scientists in their professional development. Through active engagement in these initiatives, SIIRI contributes to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for the career development of women in science.

To empower female scientists within SIIRI at MHH, LUH, and partner institutions, a variety of coaching and mentoring methods and programs are available. These initiatives are designed to help female scientists identify and leverage their strengths, as well as successfully plan and navigate their career paths. In addition to these existing programs, SIIRI has established its own network for women in science, significantly enhancing the support system available to female scientists within the organization. This network serves as an additional resource for mentorship, networking, and professional development tailored to the specific needs and goals of women in science.

The German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the German states have established a program to provide financial support for professorships held by female scientists during the initial five years after their appointment. The primary goal is to retain these scientists within the academic system. Since the program’s inception in 2008, MHH has successfully implemented the concept three times, securing funding for a total of eight professorships. Notably, SIIRI scientists Professor Susanne Häußler and Professor Ines Yang have received support through this program. Additionally, at HMTMH, SIIRI Professor Eva Baumann is also funded under this initiative.

SIIRI researchers at MHH, LUH, and partner institutions benefit from a range of childcare options. The MHH alone provides three childcare facilities offering a total of 400 all-day care places for children across different age groups, including infants, preschoolers, and school-aged children. Kindergardens operate from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and cover school vacations as well. Importantly, some staff members are bilingual (German/English), which supports international researchers in balancing work and family life. For further inquiries, please contact the SIIRI office, which is available to assist with the application process.

If regular childcare is not available, we offer our members the option to arrange and finance short-term childcare through pme Familienservice GmbH. Alternatively, we can refer them to Fluxx, a childcare program provided by the city and region of Hannover. Similar programs at our partner institutions can be found on the websites of their respective equal opportunity offices. The SIIRI office is available to assist you with any related inquiries.