RWTH Celebrates Women in Research and Teaching: A Commitment to Equality

RWTH Aachen University is launching a major campaign to address the underrepresentation of women in academia. This initiative aims to inspire more women to pursue scientific careers by promoting genuine gender equality. Rather than token representation, the campaign calls for a cultural shift towards a fairer, more diverse research environment that benefits everyone.

At RWTH, only 22.9 percent of professors are women. In certain disciplines, this disparity extends to students and doctoral candidates. Professor Verena Nitsch, head of the Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics at RWTH’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering is acutely aware of this issue: “We need a cultural shift.” She refuses to accept being perceived as a token woman in engineering meetings. That’s why she’s part of the new RWTH campaign ‘Not A Token Woman.’

Campaign with a Clear Message

“Change Now to Change Tomorrow” is the slogan of this bold new campaign at one of Europe’s leading universities of technology. Led and supported by dedicated women at the University, this initiative challenges deeply ingrained prejudices and stereotypes about women in science and research.

The campaign provocatively addresses and seeks to dismantle the barriers faced by women, aiming to inspire more women to pursue careers in science and to create a more inclusive and equitable future for women in science. As Professor Sabine Brück, Vice-Rector for Human Resources Management at RWTH and the campaign’s patron, emphasizes, “We are actively working to make positive changes.” Her appeal underscores the urgent need for cultural transformation.

The term “token woman” describes the practice of superficially including members of a specific group, like women in science, without providing them with genuine opportunities or equality. The women researchers featured in this campaign are not examples of tokenism: They represent real achievements and are committed to promoting true gender equality within the scientific community.

Technical Fields Represent a Particular Challenge

To better understand the current landscape, we conducted interviews with women scientists at various career stages, from students to professors. These conversations brought to light several key challenges faced by women in science:

• Discrediting of skills: Women are still often presumed to lack sufficient competence.
• Tokenism: Women are often labeled as “token hires,” implying that they are appointed to leadership positions solely to meet gender quotas, regardless of their qualifications.
• Appearance bias: It is often assumed that women were hired or advanced in their careers because of their appearance, not their abilities.
• Motherhood penalties: Prejudices and disadvantages related to motherhood remain widespread.
• Male-dominated spaces: Exclusive networks and spaces that favor male colleagues and exclude women continue to be a significant issue.
• “Women’s issues”: Gender equality concerns are frequently minimized, and women are often tasked with finding solutions to these concerns.

The campaign specifically addresses the challenges faced by women in science and research. It aims to stimulate discussion, break down prejudices, and highlight available support and advising services. A diverse group of confident female scientists are showcased in posters and social media campaigns, representing the many women making significant contributions to science.

“We are a modern, open, and welcoming university that actively supports and promotes the careers of our female scientists,” says Sabine Brück. “Together, we want to drive cultural change and encourage women to pursue careers in academia, particularly in STEM fields. This also includes asking ourselves uncomfortable questions: What can we do when women are disadvantaged in science? How can we as a university further promote gender equality and dismantle patriarchal structures?”

Progress and Goals

While the number of women professors at RWTH has steadily increased over the past decade, the University remains committed to achieving greater gender equality, setting itself the goal of increasing the proportion of women professors to 30 percent by 2030. Our progress towards this goal is evident in the fact that every other junior professorship is currently held by an exceptional woman scientist, demonstrating that positive change is not only possible but also actively pursued.

For change to succeed, structural changes and an academic culture that encourages women to pursue academic careers are necessary. Young women must be encouraged to consider careers in science early on. Particularly in natural sciences and engineering disciplines, the dilemma often begins with the choice of degree course.

Support Measures for Women in Science

RWTH offers a wide range of support measures to assist women in their scientific careers. These include mentoring programs, coaching, counseling, support for female scientist networks, and practical assistance such as childcare, parent-child groups, and childcare services during events. By providing comprehensive support, we aim to alleviate the burdens faced by women scientists and their families, making a career in science more accessible and rewarding.

The campaign highlights women at various career stages who serve as role models, with the stories of younger women such as Dr. Lena Patterer, who is a postdoctoral researcher at the Chair of Metallurgy of Iron and Steel, playing a crucial role in inspiring the next generation of female researchers. “Role models are important because they reveal opportunities you may not have considered”, she emphasizes.

And Sabine Brück adds, “By increasing the participation of women – especially in STEM fields, but also across many other disciplines – we not only create a more equitable society but also drive innovation and excellence in research. Only through gender-equal research can we ensure that the benefits are shared equally by everyone in society.”