Equal opportunities for students
Gender equality during your studies
Female and male student looking at a book in the library
At our University, the proportion of female and male students is balanced—both among students and among graduates. When taking a closer look at the subject areas, however, we can see that women and men are not equally represented everywhere. This is particularly the case in mathematics, computer science, and physics.
Promoting gender equality among students includes:
- equal promotion of students’ academic success by offering support in areas in which one gender is strongly underrepresented;
- encouraging talented female students to explore the possibility of a career in science and research in higher education, where women continue to be underrepresented;
- standing up against all forms of sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and violence in studies and teaching.
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Travel grant for female students of all disciplines to encourage participation in scientific events
Women remain underrepresented in science and research. Female students of the University of Jena can apply for one-time travel grants of up to 250 euros to participate in scientific conferences and summer schools. Grants are awarded by the University of Jena's Equal Opportunities Office and the Thuringian Competence Network for Equal Opportunities with funds from the Free State of Thuringia.
For information and details on how to apply, please contact:
- the University of Jena's Equal Opportunities Office Learn more
- the Thuringian Competence Network for Equal Opportunities' Office Learn more External linkDE
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EMMBI—Mentoring programme offered by advanced female students for female first-year students at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
This mentoring programme established at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science is aimed at female students in the introductory phase of their studies.
Mentoring is offered in small groups by advanced female students of the faculty. It includes qualified support with questions and problems, and facilitates networking and the exchange of experiences with fellow female students to ensure a successful start in higher education.
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Femtoring—Mentoring programme at the Faculty of Law
The Femtoring programme at the University of Jena’s Faculty of Law aims to connect and empower law students who identify as female and to give them insights into different legal professions.
The programme comprises three pillars:
- individual support between mentor and mentee;
- a supporting programme in the form of lectures, workshops, and meetings; and
- the formation of an alumni network from which current and former students can benefit equally.
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Services offered by the Thuringian Coordination Office for Natural Sciences for female STEM students
The Thuringian Coordination Office for Natural Sciences (Thüringer Koordinierungsstelle Naturwissenschaften, ThüKo) is a joint intitiative of Thuringian higher education institutions to promote women in the field of STEM.
The ThüKo offers various services for female STEM students. These include:
- mentoring and networking opportunities
- a Stammtisch (get-together with the regulars) to exchange experiences
- a careers service
- speed dating with female graduates of STEM programmes
- a visit to the career fair ‘women & work’
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‘Women in Academia’—Portraits of women professors at Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Women professors at Friedrich Schiller University describe their academic career paths in pictures and in writing. They reveal how they managed to overcome challenges and reconcile multiple obligations, demonstrating that it was worth the effort to pursue what they call ‘the best profession in the world’.
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Courses on the topics of gender and diversity
The online course catalogue in Friedolin includes a separate category for courses on gender and diversity offered by the faculties during the current semester. Learn moreExternal link
The Center of Excellence Women and Science of the Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences (GESIS) provides a detailed overview on gender-related and sexualized violence in higher education. Learn moreExternal link
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‘Gendering MINT digital’—Open Educational Resources (OER)
Open Educational Resources (OER) offer insights into ‘Gender & STEM’-related research and teaching. At the same time, they encourage reflection on gender-related issues in the natural and technical sciences. The resources are designed in such a way that they can be used for teaching in higher education, particularly in natural sciences, but also in social and cultural sciences education. Combining the knowledge and methodologies of natural and technical sciences with those of social and cultural sciences, they make gender-related issues accessible to STEM students.
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Equality and diversity awards
‘Diversity Meets Science’ Prize for theses with a gender and diversity perspective.External link This prize is worth 2,000 euros and awarded by Thuringian higher education institutions every summer semester. A scientific panel selects the best theses in a two-stage procedure. The prize is announced throughout Thuringia and is coordinated by the Thuringian Competence Network for Equal Opportunities (TKG).
Ada Lovelace Award of the Institute of Computer Science This award is granted in honour of British mathematician Augusta Ada Byron King (1815–1852), the first to have published a complex programme for mechanical computers, which anticipated aspects of later programming languages. The award is aimed at successful female students of the Institute of Computer Science. It is endowed with 200 euros and awarded by a jury, usually on the Day of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. You can find the 2020 call for applications here External linkDE.
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University Sports—Self-defence for women
Knowing that we can defend ourselves in potentially dangerous situations strengthens our self-confidence.
Under the theme ‘Defend yourself in everyday life!’, the university sports programme regularly offers self-defence courses for women.The training programme aims to help everyone get physically fit and learn some simple defence techniques that allow them to defend themselves in the event of a physical attack. Courses are designed for two people who want to train together, but you can also register on your own. More information on current and upcoming university sports courses is available hereExternal link.
For a first insight into self-defence techniques, you can watch this videoExternal link of a self-defence course.
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Contact points for help in emergencies
People can often find themselves in challenging circumstances as a result of their gender, sexual orientation, family situation, or associated role models and demands. They may experience discrimination or be confronted with psychological or physical threats, harassment, and violence.
If you find yourself in such a situation, specialized counselling centres can offer qualified advice, counselling services, and support—around the clock and free of charge.