At the Johannes Gutenberg University, gender equality and the advancement of women in science and academia represent central elements of its Mission Statement, Strategic Concept and Charter. JGU has been honored on several occasions with the Total-E-Quality-Prädikat because its staff policy is oriented toward gender equality. In the past couple of years, specific measures have been taken by the JGU’s administration toward gender equality. Special attention is given to young women in academia during the post-doctoral phase. At this point, according to statistical studies, many of the candidates who show great promise for academic excellence, terminate their academic careers. At JGU, special funds for the advancement of women in academia are available for coaching or mentoring, as well as adequate temporary replacements during parental leave. The RU will both benefit from and lend unrestricted support to these measures.
Ada Lovelace Project
One such measure, which has been very successful over the past years, is the Ada Lovelace Project at JGU, which since 2009 has continued to extend its mentoring program in natural sciences to serve women alumni, doctoral students, and post-doctoral researchers in their careers. The Ada Lovelace Project is very specifically geared towards excellent young female academics (PhD students and postdocs) in the fields of physics, mathematics, and computer sciences. The Ada Lovelace Project establishes contacts between young female academics and selected partners in leadership positions in various organizations, who act as mentors. The main aim of the year-long program, which consists of dedicated workshops, excursions, and networking, is to allow the mentees to acquire first-hand impressions and experience with different career opportunities and to establish professional contacts. Over the past five years, five female PhD students and three female postdocs at the Institute of Nuclear Physics have participated in this program. Within the RU we plan to continue this successful track record and will be able to offer these mentoring programs to our female PhD students and postdocs.
Pro Academia Program
The Ada Lovelace Project has extended its mentoring program to include the Pro Academia Program. This program is specifically tailored for female senior postdocs and junior PIs. During this 20-month programme female advanced junior scientists are mentored on a one-to-one basis by experienced academics. The goals of the programme are: to further strengthen the scientific profiles of the junior scientists, to enlarge their scientific network, and to further develop their leadership skills. This program is open to female advanced junior scientists in the RU at a crucial stage in their scientific careers.
Irène Joliot-Curie Program
Furthermore, the female junior scientists within the RU will also have access to the Irène Joliot Curie program of PRISMA+ at JGU, which also offers individual coaching for PhD and postdoctoral female physicists. Five coaching spots, each consisting of three sessions with an experienced coach, are awarded each year.