Milestone in the Female Professors Programme 2030

Fulda. A complete success at Fulda University of Applied Sciences on the International Day of Women and Girls in Research on 11 February 2026: Three female academics were appointed to permanent professorial appointments in STEM subjects for the first time, and a doctoral position in the Department of Food Technology and a Gender Consulting Officer position for subjects with highly qualified women at Fulda University of Applied Sciences were also filled. Fulda University of Applied Sciences received the funding commitment from the federal government at the end of 2025. The positions mentioned can thus be funded for five years. The Female Professors Programme 2030, which supports the funding of women in research, is thus showing excellent results.

The president of Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr Karim Khakzar, emphasises the importance of these professorships: "The federal programme for the funding of female professors is an important instrument for more equal opportunities in science. Since the first call for proposals many years ago, Fulda University of Applied Sciences has developed into one of the most successful universities in Germany in the so-called female professorship programme. We have been able to significantly increase the number of women in academic management positions at our university and have created an inclusive and supportive environment in which women can grow and develop in research." In order to recognise this outstanding and convincing gender equality work at Fulda University of Applied Sciences and to make it visible as an important quality criterion, the university has already been awarded the title "University with Strong Gender Equality" twice - most recently in spring 2025.

Diverse expertise and new perspectives
The three new female professors bring diverse expertise and new perspectives to their respective departments: Prof Dr Cathrin Möller, "Software development especially cloud technologies" at the AI department, Prof Dr Uta Anschütz, "Biochemistry and analytics for food" at the LT department, and Prof Dr Isabell Wirth, "Energy technology and energy storage" at the ET department. "Their appointments are a strong signal in favour of strengthening female role models in research and academia. At the same time, filling the doctoral position highlights the university's support for young female scientists," adds Prof Dr Martina Ritter, Vice President for Research and Transfer at Fulda University of Applied Sciences. The doctoral position, which was awarded as part of the Female Professors Programme 2030, went to Leonie Hergenröder, Department LT.

In addition, the newly created position of Gender Consulting for Departments, which was filled by Dr Jasmin Meyer, will play a central role in the funding of equality strategies at Fulda University of Applied Sciences. This position makes it possible to develop new and customised measures to promote gender equality together with the departments in order to make the topic of gender equality more visible and integrate it into the university's structures and processes in a sustainable way. "On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we want to recognise and celebrate the successes and contributions of female researchers at our university," says Birgit Hohmann, Representative for Women's Affairs and Gender Equality at Fulda University of Applied Sciences. "Our initiatives are part of a broader commitment to breaking down barriers for women in research and supporting equal opportunities."

With its efforts, Fulda University of Applied Sciences is sending out a clear signal in line with the Female Professors Programme 2030 and reaffirming its commitment to a gender-equal academic community. On the International Day of Women and Girls in Research itself, i.e. on 11 February, Fulda University of Applied Sciences is also inviting its members to take part in the Lunch Debate during the lunch break. The course provides a platform to address the role of women in research and raise awareness of equal access.

About Fulda University of Applied Sciences
There are 9500 students at Fulda University of Applied Sciences. More than 170 professors teach and conduct research in eight departments. Fulda University of Applied Sciences is one of the strongest research universities for applied sciences in Germany. There are more than 60 study programmes to choose from at Fulda University of Applied Sciences - including offers that are unique in Germany. In addition to Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in attendance and full-time, integrated training programmes, part-time and dual study programmes are also offered. In 2016, Fulda University of Applied Sciences became the first university of applied sciences in Germany to be awarded doctoral degrees independently. The university's internationalisation strategy is reinforced by its membership of the European University Alliance E³UDRES².