“In academia there is clear gender inequality, and the differences are greater the higher the academic position concerned. Addressing issues of gender equality is thus extremely important,” says Prof. Dr. Irmgard Förster, Vice Rector for Equal Opportunity and Diversity at the University of Bonn. In cooperation with the University Gender Equality Officers and the Central Gender Equality Commissioner, Professor Förster and her team work together to make equal opportunity for women in research and teaching a reality.
Twenty-seven percent of professors at the University of Bonn are female, which is just below the national average. The Rectorate has adopted the goal of increasing this figure up to 30% by the year 2026. This is stated in the University Development Plan of the Excellence University Bonn. And that's exactly what Professor Förster is advocating for: "The fact that the representation of female researchers in comparison to their male colleagues at the professorship level is still so low is not acceptable. The promotion of female scientists on the path to lifetime professorship is therefore a central goal of gender equality at the University of Bonn. Despite remarkable progress in recent years, we want to further accelerate the process of gender equality and clearly encourage female scientists to pursue their career path and not cease to be passionate about research."
There are stumbling blocks, but also a lot of support. The university supports female scientists in their career development individually and based on their needs. For example, through the program for strengthening the Equal Opportunity process (STEP). The program includes various funding lines. The university supports its female researchers in forming and intensifying strategic partnerships: it funds conference stays and promotes networking events so that female researchers can present their own research results to an international audience. Additionally, funds are available to enable professors to start and expand their research activities more quickly after their appointment or contract negotiations, or to alleviate their workload when serving on committees.
The interviews with Prof. Meyer and Dr. Surace were conducted in German and translated by the Central Translation Service of the University of Bonn.
Prof. Dr. Sabine N. Meyer
Prof. Dr. Sabine N. Meyer teaches at the Department of English, American, and Celtic Studies. Her current research project concerns the intersection of aesthetics and politics in contemporary writing and cultural works by North American artists who identify as Black and Indigenous.
How did you get into academia?
For me, working in academia demands constant mobility, mental as well as physical; remaining comfortably ensconced in a given intellectual position or in habitual thinking patterns will not suffice. The academic sector represents an entirely unique space for lifelong research and learning through continuous dialogue across cultures and disciplines. Higher education gives young people and the broader public access to insights and knowledge developed with painstaking effort. And this, we hope, contributes through critical examination to greater transparency with regard to existing hierarchies, past and present, and to work approaches in our society.
Describe an obstacle you have had to overcome in your research career thus far.
One of the biggest things to deal with in pursuing an academic career is the constant awareness of being on an arduous journey, and that reaching the desired destination is uncertain and in most cases will remain uncertain for a very long period of time. You have to truly have a passion for your field, and you have to give it your all to succeed in an extraordinarily competitive environment, knowing at all times that you may never end up with making it in the envisioned career. You have to win the mind game to keep fighting the good fight as an “early-career academic”—to keep your spirits up and your motivation and feelings intact.
What would your advice be to women interested in a career in academia?
It is extremely important for women in particular to build up a robust network of contacts. I have benefited a lot from university mentoring and grant programs designed for female researchers early in their careers. Women in academia become “thick-skinned” of a necessity, especially those who have children. Female academics, and especially those in prominent positions, have to deal with incessant messages that whatever they do is “not enough”—not enough time for research, teaching, parenting and family. These messages come from outside as well as inside, through deep-rooted convictions stemming from our socialization. Programs like STEP provide valuable support, and when I was starting out, it was also a major help that an additional position was created. This relieved me of heavy workload, and the postdoc hired contributed significantly to the planning and execution of third-party funded projects.
Dr. Laura Surace
Dr. Laura Surace works at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology (ICCCP) at the University Hospital, conducting research on tumor immune metabolism. Her work investigates the specific metabolic properties of tumors arising in different tissues, and how diet and lifestyle influence metabolic processes.
How did you get into academia?
I have always loved biology. I view it as a privilege, being able to study how the body works, possibly discovering things we don’t currently know. Every day, theoretically, I can discover something new that no one has seen before, and it could prove to be important information for the scientific community and benefit the health of people all over the world. Being a scientist means serving the community to me. We work towards better understanding how our bodies function and how we can improve the health of everyone. Despite the challenges that come with a scientific career, the journey is worthwhile. I consider myself fortunate to pursue this profession because my research work truly matters to me.
Describe an obstacle you have had to overcome in your research career thus far.
There are definitely challenges for women pursuing a career in academia, which for many years was unquestionably “a man’s world.” Things have gotten much better, thanks to many incremental changes, but more change is necessary to realize true equality and a fair playing field. Bridge funding available under the STEP program kept me financially afloat in the time between my postdoc fellowship and being employed in the position of group leader. During that time I achieved initial research results and landed a competitive grant from German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe), which has enabled me to open my own lab already.
What would your advice be to women interested in a career in academia?
My advice to women and men would be: never give up, and believe in yourself. The academic world needs people who are inquisitive and dedicated to understanding more about phenomena in the world around us. Such individuals are crucial for science to thrive. A career in academia is fraught with obstacles, but the very best things in life often require the most effort and determination!
Prof. Dr. Jing Zeng
Prof. Dr. Jing Zeng works at the Institute of Finance and Statistics (IFS). She conducts theoretical analyses of institutional interaction within the financial system in order to understand observed, real-world market outcomes and derive policies that enhance financial system efficiency and stability.
How did you get into academia?
I love the idea of conducting research: continuously searching for the ultimate truth and potentially accomplishing something of lasting impact and benefit for society. Wherever my research may lead, the work itself demands and promotes critical thinking and creativity. It is very intellectually stimulating and rewarding.
Describe an obstacle you have had to overcome in your research career thus far.
The transition was highly challenging from postdoc to conducting independent research as an assistant professor responsible for my own research agenda. I did a lot of exploring along the way, and the great researchers I met who became my mentors enabled me to find a path that is optimal given my skills and research interests, and a research area in which I am able to make contributions. This empowered me to reach the next level in my academic career, of associate professor, with a STEP program grant.
What would your advice be to women interested in a career in academia?
The most important thing for women in academia is being sure of your interests—where your research passion lies. As long as you believe in your work, external factors don’t matter. There is always a way to navigate through the process to reach your goal. Research can be a lonely pursuit at times, and your passion and conviction are the things that will guide your steps when confronting those feelings.
