Equal Status of Women and Men

In many spheres of science women are poorly represented. The prime reason is that very few females matriculating from school opt for these study courses. Accordingly, the number of female graduates in the sciences is much smaller than that of men.

IPP is treading new paths to recruit women to these extremely interesting professions and increase the number of women in science and in top positions. Various strategies are being pursued towards this end:

• "Schnuppertage" (Snooping Days) for the orientation grade at high schools: "come, see, research" or "what physics is really all about" – these events aim at giving young people an insight into scientific achievement at a major research establishment.
• Participation in Girls' Day: The Garching and Greifswald sites of IPP invite girls annually to participate in information events and other activities in research.
• Further projects for children are offered by IPP’s kidsbits programme.
• Compatibility of family and profession is being promoted; measures such as temporary telework, work at home or unpaid leave of absence in special cases act in support.
• Female scientists from IPP are increasingly presenting their work at trade fairs and recruiting events for schools.
• The use of mentoring as a tool for personnel promotion is approved. This calls for close cooperation with other research establishments and for cost neutrality.

Many schemes and events particularly for juveniles and young scientists are meanwhile an integral part of IPP’s public relations programme and are being regularly offered.