Dream Job: Professor Plus—A Boost for Women Professors’ Careers in Baden-Württemberg
The collaborative project “Dream Job: Professor Plus” supports women on their path to becoming professors, thereby sending a strong message about the future of the professoriate. After just two years, the project has already resulted in 26 appointments. Representatives from university administrations and politics, as well as mentees and mentors, gathered at the DHBW Karlsruhe to celebrate the project’s success, the conclusion of the second round, and the launch of the third round.
Project Director Prof. Sissi Closs welcomed the visiting guests and introduced the consortium of all universities of applied sciences (HAW) in the state as well as the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW). Remarks by Antje Gramlich (Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg) underscored the program’s significance for University policy and gender equality policy. The opening address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Stephan Trahasch, Chair of the Rectors’ Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences in Baden-Württemberg and Rector of Hochschule Offenburg. She was followed by Prof. Dr. Martina Klärle, President of DHBW Karlsruhe. Both speeches provided inspiring guidance and encouraged aspiring female professors to forge their own paths with courage, perseverance, and self-confidence.
A key highlight of the morning was the panel discussion on the future of the professoriate, moderated by Prof. Dr. Seon-Su Kim (DHBW Mosbach). Representatives from the rectorates and executive boards of the member universities spoke passionately about the challenges, prospects, and structural conditions of academic careers. The panel included: Prof. Dr. Joachim Beck (Kehl University of Applied Sciences), Prof. Dr. Andreas Frey (HfWU Nürtingen-Geislingen), Prof. Dr. Katrin Hassenstein (HdM Stuttgart), Prof. Dr. Ulrich Jautz (Pforzheim University), Prof. Dr. Bastian Kaiser (Rottenburg University of Forestry), Prof. Dr. Martina Klärle (DHBW), Dr. Iris Rauskala (Ludwigsburg University of Public Administration and Finance), Prof. Dr. Harald Riegel (Aalen University) and Prof. Dr. Stephan Trahasch (Hochschule Offenburg). In an open and personal discussion, the panel highlighted why having more women among the professorial ranks is essential and underscored their shared commitment to actively driving this change forward at their own Universities. “The diversity of prominent voices on the panel is encouraging—it shows that Universities are working together with determination to increase the number of female professors,” emphasized project director Prof. Sissi Closs.
In the afternoon, the keynote address “Staying Strong in Turbulent Times” by Prof. Dr. Kathrin Hänel (Ludwigsburg University of Public Administration and Finance) focused on how resilience, the ability to take action, and confidence can be strengthened in challenging times. The interactive presentation offered numerous thought-provoking ideas and was perceived by participants as inspiring and encouraging.
The event, attended by around 200 visitors, concluded on a positive note: an inspiring start to the third round and a fitting conclusion to a successful second round—driven by commitment, exchange, and shared visions for the future of the professoriate.
“Dream Job: Professor Plus” is funded for five years with 465,000 euros from the European Social Fund (ESF Plus) and 350,000 euros from the Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts (MWK). You can learn more about the collaborative project at https://www.traumberuf-professorin.de/.