Published: 8 March 2024
Empowering women in academia
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For University President Tanja Brühl, promoting diversity at the TU is a question of attitude: “In order to promote this, we have adopted a diversity strategy that states that we want to be a place free of discrimination for all genders,” she says in an interview with Ambassador Sharmila (opens in new tab) .
Watch the whole interview in our reels on instagram!
In the tradition of the goddess Athena, the guardian of wisdom, the women of TU Darmstadt are conquering the academic world. With sharp minds and unbridled curiosity, they are exploring the secrets of science and technology in order to shape their own destiny and the world of tomorrow – but there could be more: 32.5 per cent of female students are enrolled at TU Darmstadt in the winter semester 23/24, in absolute figures just under 7,600 female students.
In some departments, the percentage of female students is significantly higher. Biology is in first place: 62.8 per cent of students in this department are female! Architecture is in second place: 59.8 per cent of students in this department are female, closely followed by the Department of Human Sciences with 56.9 per cent female students.
Bringing up the rear is the Department of Mechanical Engineering with only 12.1 per cent female students. There is also room for improvement in the Department of Informatik, where the proportion is 16.8 per cent. Ambassador Christina (opens in new tab) is one of the 655 female computer science students. She says:
Christina,
Computer Science, B.Sc.
Although women are the minority in Computer Science, I've never been treated with less respect or had my opinion overheard. My experience has been positive so far. And in the past few Semesters, more women are joining as professors and tutors, so a change is in the air!
The Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences has the highest number of women enrolled. The department has 1409 female students, which corresponds to 53.6 per cent. One of them is Ambassador Lili (opens in new tab) :
Lili,
Political Sciences, B.A.
I would say that the ratio between men and women in our department is balanced, even though there are definitely more male lecturers. Nevertheless, I don't think it changes the fact that we women are seen, heard and respected in our department, which lays the foundation for a successful degree programme.
Incidentally, the #studentsofTUdarmstadt editorial team currently has an equal number of female and male Ambassadors, including Diego (opens in new tab) :
Diego,
Sustainable Urban Development, M.Sc.
Although there are a considerable number of female lecturers on my Master's programme, the trend in most other institutes is different. This is also reflected in the low number of female fellow students in the lectures. We are aware that the representation of women among both students and lecturers requires attention and action.
TU Darmstadt runs various programmes to promote equal rights for all genders in the best possible way. One of these programmes is “Big Sister” (opens in new tab), which gives female students with a migration background or from abroad the opportunity to network and exchange ideas.
In group meetings and one-to-one discussions, participants receive support and tips from experienced female students and lecturers and can ask any questions ranging from study organisation and exam preparation to leisure activities and life in Darmstadt. The exchange with other female students in similar situations should make it easier for them to arrive and study at TU Darmstadt.
You can read more about the offers for women at the TU on the website of the Gender Quality Office (opens in new tab)!
University President Tanja Brühl gives three tips in the interview. Firstly: “Be self-confident!” Science is about content – “and women don't need to hide at all.” Female pupils do better in their A-levels, female students do very well in their degrees. Secondly: networks!
Tanja Brühl,
University President
It's really important to have networks. Networks with people who think alike. Who are either at the same stage, especially at the beginning of their studies, or with people who are perhaps further along. Regardless of gender, the main thing is to exchange ideas and reflect again.
The third recommendation is to go to places where people think about how to deal well with diversity. Tanja Brühl: “And I think all three of these things make science fun and put you in the right place.”
The first female graduate of TU Darmstadt
Germany's first female engineering graduate was a TU student: more than 100 years ago, Jovanka Bončić from Serbia studied at the TU and was the first woman to graduate from our university in 1913. With a pioneering spirit and a great deal of courage, she was one of the first women to study architecture – which was traditionally a male domain at the time. She also studied engineering. You can read more about Jovanka Bončić in the category History and Personalities of the TU (opens in new tab) .
Would you like to find out more about Jovanka Bončić and other women in science? Our tip: On 22 March 2024, the Schader Foundation will open the exhibition “Missed Images – Making Women in Science Visible” (opens in new tab).
Lilian
Hello everyone, I am Lilian and I am studying political science. I chose this bachelor's programme and TU Darmstadt because of the content and the special charm of our department. I particularly like the fact that we have many interdisciplinary options in our subject, which allows us to get a taste of many areas and thus acquire a broad knowledge that also addresses our interests outside of political science.
Christina
Hey! I’m Christina and come from Greece. Right now, I’m studying Computer Science and I chose TU Darmstadt because it provides the perfect combination of innovation and learning opportunities. I find Computer Science very interesting because there is always something new to learn and discover!
Diego
Hello, my name is Diego, I come from Ecuador and I am studying my master´s degree in Sustainable Urban Development. After finishing my bachelor in architecture, this master called my attention because of its more technical focus on the development of sustainable cities. Here I met students from all kinds of backgrounds, coming from all over the world. The programme distinguishes itself for being multidisciplinary, and even gives you the opportunity to spend a semester in Vietnam and discover a whole new culture.
