News of February 11, 2026
International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11
February 11 is dedicated to women and girls in science worldwide: since 2015, the United Nations has been using this day to draw attention to their achievements – and to the fact that women are still underrepresented in many scientific disciplines. In 2026, the HZDR will once again participate in this awareness day and focus on women from within their own organization.
Role models play a crucial role in this: visible career paths and first-hand experiences can encourage others to take their own steps toward a career in science. For this reason, the HZDR is featuring female employees from research and administration in this article. In five questions and answers each, they talk about their professional careers, their experiences in their everyday work, and give their assessment of how more young women can be attracted to a career in science.
Click here for the interviews:
At HZDR, around 550 of the total workforce of approximately 1,500 are female. More than half of them work in research. The remaining female employees work in science management, administration, or technical areas. In order to provide targeted support to women at all career levels, the HZDR has established various programs across its sites. These include mentoring programs, networking opportunities, and measures to improve work-life balance.
An important network beyond the HZDR is Women@DDc: Within the DRESDEN-concept research alliance, it brings together female scientists of all status groups and science managers. More than 500 members use the platform to exchange ideas about career paths, professional prospects, and structural challenges in the science system.
The following events, among others, are planned for 2026 as part of Women@DDc:
- Workshop „Positionierung in Machtarenen“, 4. März 2026, 9:00 bis 17:00 Uhr, und 5. März 2026, 9:00 bis 12:00 Uhr
- Professorinnenfrühstück, 18. März 2026, 8:00–10:30 Uhr
In addition, the Equal Opportunities Officers at HZDR, in collaboration with the Career Center and the Alumni Network, are organizing a Career Dinner Talk in which women in leadership positions will provide insights into their career paths:
- Career Dinner Talk | Rethinking Leadership: Collaboration at the Top, March 11, 2026, 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(Further information about the event will follow.)
Additional information:
Dr. Helene Hoffmann
Equal Opportunities Officer at HZDR
Phone: +49 351 260 3849 I Email: gleichstellung@hzdr.de
