movement

Through the conversations and discussions at movement, I also see gender-specific things much more clearly, e.g. in terms of self-confidence. It makes a lot of things clear to me. I now reflect much more on my position, but without fear, I now face things head on.

(Doctoral candidate at the Faculty of Linguistics and Literary Studies)

Thanks to my participation in movement, I already feel more in control of my own doctoral process after the first half of the term. And I'm much less worried about not knowing important facts.

(Doctoral student at the Faculty of Mathematics)

I did it for the sake of equality. Young women need to be supported in their university careers. I know from my own experience how hard that is. Women are allowed to do doctorates today because they're nice and pretty when they're young. But as soon as you become a serious competitor, the wind changes completely. That really sucks, many women drop out, and not just because of starting a family. Men's networks are very dominant and have established structures, so I think it's politically important to build women's networks. Students often know exactly what they want. Women are often just as good, only more reserved. It's important to me to provide support here.

(Professor, History)

My mentee was super organised, had good independence and was incredibly well prepared. This didn't mean that she always knew everything, but she was also very clear about where things were unclear/what she wanted to talk about/which options she was wavering between. She was able to say clearly what she wanted, which was excellent, so we were able to make the most of the time. She was very clear that she wanted to be at university and was looking for suitable ways to achieve this. This clear commitment to science was a good basis for communication.

(Professor, Sociology)

The "non-binding commitment" of mentoring is very helpful. The meetings give me regular small deadlines by which I have to explain myself to someone from outside, which makes me very aware of the processes I'm involved in. And I get advice from someone outside our department. This gives me an enriching outside perspective and I don't feel dependent or obligated. Nobody is angry if I evaluate advice myself and don't simply implement it.

(Doctoral student at the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics)

In my mentor, I have found someone who supports me and gives me special insights into an academic career that you can only have if you have travelled the path yourself. My mentoring relationship has helped me to solve problems, find ways forward and my mentor encourages me in what I do.

(Doctoral student at the School of Public Health)

I'm really glad that I'm taking part in movement. It has given me strength and encouragement and I feel like I'm on the right path. I've also met new people.

(Doctoral student at the School of Public Health)

Taking part in movement has brought me closer to what I want and to explaining why I want what. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the programme, we are forced to talk not only about technical matters, but also a lot about decisions and the like. It's nice to be able to do this on the same level as other doctoral students. In my circle of friends, I only have two other female doctoral students who know and can understand my situation. People who aren't doing a doctorate quickly distance themselves.

(Doctoral student at the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics)

It's good, helpful and constructive, you come there and are completely confused and go home full of motivation and drive; it helps to make your own questions explicit; there is open feedback on the plausibility of your own plans and on problems that keep coming up/feedback on your own process that you don't get otherwise, helps with self-reflection; practical tips such as links, mailing lists, cake recipes; emotional support; relative professional proximity is good; it's an exchange at a very high level with people from a similar context: they know what you're talking about.

(Doctoral candidate in sociology)

I find peer mentoring incredibly liberating because I realise that I'm not alone in my situation. The meetings are therefore like outings, also because nobody comes there to make a name for themselves. We can reflect together: What bothers me, why does it bother me? And is it really that bad if it affects everyone?

(Doctoral student at the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics)

I am very active in the field of gender equality and have often been a mentor. With this mentee, I also had the impression that I could be helpful. I would have loved to have had a mentor like her in the past. I would like to pass on what can be useful for the career of a young female scientist.

(Professor (emer.), Physics)

I think it is important to devise and test strategies in the scientific community that bring women into this field. I was very keen to make a contribution here. And I was pleased that a female student was interested in me personally, I thought it was nice to be approached like that.

(Professor, Educational Science)