4nd quarter

• On November 14, 2025, the ceremonial conclusion of the WiMINToring mentoring program for early-career female scientists took place. The event began with a final evaluation of the program. Feedback from mentees and mentors was overwhelmingly positive. Highlighted were the clarity gained regarding individual career goals, the strengthening of professional self-understanding, and the expansion of personal confidence in navigating the academic system. A special sign of appreciation was shown by the welcome address from our full-time Vice President, Mr. Müller-Bahns, who attended the event on behalf of the executive board. In his speech, he emphasized the central importance of the mentoring program within the context of TU Clausthal's gender equality efforts.

The mentoring program thus makes a sustainable contribution to supporting female scientists in the early stages of their careers at TU Clausthal while also strengthening their networking, visibility, and long-term professional development prospects.

• On December 5, 2025, as part of the Women&Science network at TU Clausthal, a networking evening was held on the topic "Neurodiversity in the Workplace - between Pressure to Conform, Potentials, and Structural Inclusion." The event addressed a growingly relevant topic in academia and the professional world and made an important contribution to raising awareness for neurodiverse perspectives in science and work environments. The focus was on the particular challenges faced by neurodiverse scientists and employees at universities, including communication misunderstandings, structural barriers, and often insufficient awareness of different working and thinking styles. Especially impressive was the contribution from the speaker Stephanie Wolf, who not only addressed the topic from a professional and scientific perspective but also enriched her presentation with autobiographical insights. This personal dimension gave the event special depth and emotional impact and significantly contributed to raising the participants' awareness.

• This year again, TU Clausthal hosted the popular trial study program for female students a special offer giving girls the opportunity to experience student life and the everyday study routine up close. Ten participants took the chance to look behind the scenes of the university and get to know various degree programs, facilities, and activities. The program was varied and practice-oriented: In addition to exciting insights into the university library, university sports, the cafeteria, student services, and the student council, the girls were able to deepen their individual interests. A central component was the workshop "How do I find the right course of study for my interests?" which helped participants reflect on their personal strengths and goals and better classify possible study directions. The evening program was also enthusiastically received and offered many opportunities for informal exchange. Whether on joint walks, sports activities, student celebrations, or a cozy game night the social aspect was always at the center. In addition, selected events from the Welcome Weeks, including the TUC start fair and the university sports day, were part of the program. This allowed the girls to immerse themselves directly in the vibrant campus life and make initial contacts with students and faculty. The trial study program was accompanied like in previous years by an evaluation to further develop the offer and better align it with the needs of the participants. A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who contributed to the success of the 2025 trial study program.

• On Friday, November 28, 2025, the fifth Women's Sports Day was held on our sports grounds at TU Clausthal, funded by the Goslar District Sports Federation and organized in cooperation with the gender equality officers of the region. Around 50 women participated in the event. Participants had the opportunity to get to know and actively try out different movement and health offers. The goal of the event was to highlight the importance of communal movement and health activities not only for personal well-being but also for promoting performance, stress management, and health prevention in everyday work life. At the same time, Women's Sports Day provided an opportunity for networking and sent a visible signal that gender equality is also an important issue in sports.

• The Gender Equality Office actively participated in this year's Health Day and provided participants with practical insights into healthy working at computer workstations. Under the motto "Help for self-help," visitors at our booth were able to directly experience and practically try out the principles of ergonomic work. There was also the opportunity to test different computer workstations and better understand the implementation of ergonomic measures in everyday work. A special focus was placed on eye health in the digital working world. In the lecture "Healthy Eyes in the Digital World" by Annett Panterodt from the Gender Equality Office, key tips and strategies were presented to reduce strain caused by screen work and promote long-term eye health.

• On November 7, 2025, an online workshop on "Body Language - Successfully Shaping Professional Communication and Conversation Skills" took place. The offer was aimed particularly at women from non-academic fields who wanted to immediately try out new techniques, reflect on their own strengths, and develop practical strategies for their professional daily life. A special focus was on strengthening personal presence and confidently and authentically managing communication situations.

• Within the framework of the Lower Saxony Internship, we successfully expanded closer collaborations with the University and University of Applied Sciences Hannover as well as TU Braunschweig this year. These synergies enable the female interns at the other universities to get to know TU Clausthal as well. At the same time, costs can be saved and resources used more efficiently. Our female interns are now in the final phase of the project. In the closing event, planned for the end of February 2026, they will present the results and insights they gained during this intensive project phase.

• A central measure in the re-audit "Shaping Diversity" is the development of a protection and action plan against discrimination and sexual harassment. This project is also anchored in the 2025–2026 target agreement with the state of Lower Saxony. To initiate this process and present the re-audit procedure, a first meeting with the Diversity Steering Committee is scheduled for February 5, 2026. Furthermore, the date for the audit assessment by representatives of the Stifterverband and the auditors has already been set: it will take place all day on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

This year again, during the academic ceremony, the award for outstanding scientific and student achievements during the family phase was presented. This prize underscores the great importance of balancing career or studies with family life at our university and is awarded annually. This year, the selection committee honored Mr. Nordmeyer with this award. Mr. Nordmeyer impressed with his exceptional commitment and remarkable determination in balancing family life and scientific qualification. Despite significant family and health challenges, he succeeded in completing and defending his dissertation with distinction. During the academic ceremony, flexible childcare was again offered, which was very well received by the parents.

• In the winter semester 2025/26, the successful online event series "Care in Focus" will be offered for the second time. In cooperation with the family service offices of universities in Lower Saxony and Bremen, nine lectures will be held, aimed at both students and staff. The cooperation across universities enables valuable synergies to offer and finance care and support topics in a bundled form. The series provides comprehensive information and practical support options to help balance care, work, and study.

• On November 15, 2025, the "First Aid for Children" course took place at TU Clausthal. The event was primarily aimed at university members and their partners, but also at student assistants who support holiday programs. It provided an opportunity to specifically prepare for emergencies involving infants and children. The course is held regularly once a year, is very popular, and always fully booked. When demand is high, it is sometimes offered twice a year.

• On November 19, 2025, International Men's Day, TU Clausthal hosted a digital lecture on the topic "Sharing Family Work & Mental Load Fairly." The goal was to show ways to achieve a fair distribution of family work between partners. The topic is a central gender equality issue, as studies show that women still bear a significantly higher share of care and organizational work and are thus heavily burdened in both professional and private life. A focus was the discrepancy between the aimed-for 50:50 approach and actual practice. In interactive discussions, participants developed strategies for fair task distribution, improved communication, and relief in everyday life. The lecture raised awareness of the mental load and offered practical impulses for a more balanced division of tasks in private and professional contexts.

• On the last Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the Families Service of TU Clausthal, together with the cafeteria and the counseling center of the Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen, invited to the traditional Christmas baking event. Over 100 young and old participants accepted the invitation and creatively got into the Christmas spirit with baking and crafting. A special highlight was the baby welcome, where ten new members of the TU family were warmly welcomed by Ms. Schenk-Mathes in her role as Vice President for Equality, International Affairs, and Promotion of Young Researchers. Every year, the event sends a clear signal for the family-friendliness of TU Clausthal and simultaneously offers an opportunity for joint exchange, networking, and enjoying the Advent season.