ERFURT – Women are still underrepresented in science and technology professions, and this is something the Thuringian networking evening “STEM Whispers,” taking place on Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the COMCENTER Brühl (Erfurt), aims to change this. The acronym “STEM” stands for the fields of study and careers: mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology. All women who work in these fields or are pursuing studies or a career in them are invited to the networking evening. The event is organized by the Thuringian Coordination Office for Science & Technology (NWT), based at the TU Ilmenau, and LEG Thüringen.
“The idea behind the networking evening is to bring together interested women in STEM fields from all over Thuringia – from students to company executives – to exchange ideas and network. Unfortunately, women are still often in the minority in STEM professions. This makes it all the more important to create such spaces and opportunities for mutual support,” says Melanie Meder-Jurcin from NWT. “It is a matter close to our hearts to support projects that introduce girls and women to STEM careers,” says Sabine Wosche, Managing Director of LEG. “With our STEM Whispers series, we offer numerous access points to information on the topic as well as opportunities for active networking!”
The networking evening is aimed at female students, graduates, and doctoral candidates, as well as women returning to the workforce, employees, and female managers at Thuringian universities and in the regional economy. At the event, women will share insights into their career paths, a panel discussion will feature experts discussing STEM career fields and pathways, and a get-together will offer ample opportunity for networking. Starting at 3:00 p.m., Cornelia Stöckmann, a coach from Erfurt, will conduct a communication workshop for female STEM students. At 6:00 p.m., Gerlinde Sommer, editor-in-chief of the Thüringische Landeszeitung (TLZ), will moderate the panel discussion with Lena Lüneburger, managing partner of Werkzeugbau Ruhla GmbH; Regina Greiner-Lüth, managing partner of AIG Gotha GmbH Architekten & Ingenieure; Prof. Dr. Eva Hornecker, professor of human-computer interaction at the Bauhaus University Weimar; and Dr. Stefanie Seitz, Manager of Support & Training Center at the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS.
The Thuringian Coordination Office for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is a unit of the Thuringian Competence Network for Gender Equality. It motivates female students to pursue STEM studies in Thuringia and supports female students during their studies at one of the eight Thuringian universities. Through its project "STEM Female Students: Innovatively Networked," it is fulfilling the wish of all universities to expand the networking event throughout Thuringia. The Thuringian Development Corporation (LEG) is closely involved with this topic through its "Thuringian Agency for Skilled Worker Recruitment" (ThAFF). ThAFF promotes Thuringia as a place to work, supports Thuringians returning to the local job market, and assists companies in meeting their skilled worker needs.
Further information can be found at: www.thueko.de
