"We are sending out a clear signal with the new appointment funding for professors; appointment funds: Excellent science needs the perspectives of women and men equally," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Harald Riegel, President of Aalen University of Applied Sciences. Female role models are crucial, especially in the STEM field, "so that more young women are enthusiastic about Studies and a career in academia."
"Diversity among professors is not an end in itself"
There are still too few female professors in Germany, especially in the STEM subjects. This has consequences: Female students lack non-examination-based activities you have undertaken preparation for higher education. "Diversity among professors is none of these things in itself. Different experiences, perspectives and life paths improve research and teaching - our students benefit directly from this," says University Rector Prof. Dr. Harald Riegel. Diverse teams are an important innovative and competitive advantage, especially in the fields of School of Engineering, Computer Sciences, Engineering and Health Sciences. If women do not have equal access to academic careers and management positions, a great deal of talent and innovation potential for the economy, business and society remains untapped.
Proportion is now around 20 percent
Within one year, Aalen University of Applied Sciences has now appointed five new female professors, Dr. Christina Schwarz, Dr. Anne Stumper, Dr. Cécile Rosenow, Dr. Angela Kuonath and Dr. Lilian Aly, who teach and conduct research in the Faculties of Optics & Mechatronics and Business & Health. In addition, two shared professorships were filled by women. Prof. Dr. Lorena Körner and Prof. Dr. Sarah Gentner-Röhrer are each employed 49 percent by the Faculty of Business and Health and 51 percent work outside the institution of higher education. This means that in the past four years alone, the proportion of women in professorships has increased from four percent to around 20 percent.
Non-examination-based activities you have undertaken in preparation for higher education
"Our new female professors are experts in their fields of expertise - and at the same time strong role models for young women who are interested in engineering, business or health," says Prof. Dr. Iman Taha, Vice-Rector for Teaching, who herself has a doctorate in engineering. "They show that academic excellence and career paths at our institution of higher education are just as attainable for women as they are for men." One of them is Professor Dr. Lillian Aly. The postdoctoral specialist in neurology with many years of clinical and academic experience has been teaching on thePhysician Assistantdegree programme since last October. "Students should have the freedom to go their own way and pursue their dreams and goals with confidence," says the neurologist. "For female students in particular, role models and suitable framework conditions are crucial so that they can imagine a career in science or in management positions - and have the confidence to do so." Continued efforts are therefore needed to strengthen such structures, as they are still not a matter of course everywhere.
Encouraging female students
Prof. Dr. Christina Schwarz, who has been teaching and conducting research in the field of optometry at Aalen University of Applied Sciences since the summer semester 2025, has a similar view: "There are still many clichés, especially in STEM subjects/discipline (science, technology engineering). I want to show young women: School of Engineering and natural sciences are none of their gender, but rather a matter of curiosity and the joy of problem solving." The role model function must be used to encourage even more female students to consider a doctorate and a professorship, says the doctorate in physics. "And, of course, we also need more highly qualified female managers in industry. Our graduates shape the companies in the region. If they experience at the institution of higher education that women take on management responsibility in technology, business and health, this will also change the corporate culture in the long term," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Angela Kuonath, who has been Professor of Business Psychology with a special field of organizational development since October 2025.
Professors / Professor as a dream job
Aalen University of Applied Sciences has been committed to equal opportunities for many years. This includes the mentoring program "KarMen" for career planning for female students, a targeted approach to qualified female scientists in appointment processes, family-friendly framework conditions such as flexible working time models and the funding of young STEM talents in schools. The Baden-Württemberg joint project "Traumberuf Professorin Plus", in which Aalen University of Applied Sciences is also on the steering committee, recently entered its third round. It supports women on their way to a professorship. "Our goal is to further increase the proportion of female professors," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Jana Wolf, Equal Opportunities Commissioner for academic staff and students at Aalen University of Applied Sciences and Professor in the field of Health Care Management. "A proportion of around 20 percent is an important intermediate step - of course there is still room for improvement," says Wolf, adding cheerfully: "But we are on the right track - and that's good news on International Women's Day!"
