© Patric Fouad
At CECAD, we are dedicated to empowering women and girls in science. We offer robust career support for female scientists, including support for participating in mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and professional development workshops, to help them advance in their careers and achieve their full potential. Additionally, we host a Boys' and Girls' Day, inviting school kids to experience the exciting world of scientific research firsthand. This initiative aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and demonstrate that science is for everyone, regardless of gender or social background. Through these efforts, we strive to foster a more inclusive and diverse scientific community.
We invite all interested female scientists to the regular meetings of the “CECAD Female Faculty Club”. At these informal get-togethers, we discuss general and gender-specific topics (e.g. career planning, work-life balance opportunities, mentor programs, support for women and families from the university). The “CECAD Female Faculty Club” is aimed at all female scientists, at all levels, in order to promote a vertical network between young female academics and women who are already established in their careers.
CECAD is aware that women tend to contribute less to discussions or conversations in a male-dominated environment due to a feeling of insecurity. Women also tend to be more reserved in the context of job interviews. CECAD therefore offers specific workshops for women scientists, e.g. to build up more self-confidence, to assess patterns of male and female communication and behavior and practice how to deal with the issue accordingly.
CECAD also encourages women scientists to continue a scientific career through financial coverage of their participation in the various courses and workshops organized by the University of Cologne’s Female Career Center. In addition, we also encourage and financially support participation in the Cornelia Harte Mentoring Program, which gives young female scientists the opportunity to meet women holding leading positions in research, industry, business, or research management. Moreover, we financially support participation in the University’s management programme for female scientists in leadership positions.
At CECAD, in collaboration with the University Hospital of Cologne, we actively participate in Girls' and Boys' Day, an initiative designed to empower children and ignite their passion for science.
During the event, we engage young minds with hands-on experiments. They learn how to isolate DNA, the blueprint of life, from bacteria. Using microscopes, they explore how our skin protects us, all the way from sunburns to more serious issues. And they even get a taste of detective work with experiments that can help find hidden blood!
These activities educate and inspire the next generation of scientists. Watch the video summary of this exciting day, released by University Hospital of Cologne, below!