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In an increasingly diverse and equal society, gender competence is no longer a "nice-to-have" - it is a key qualification. The course "Gender. Gesellschaft. Gewohnheit? Genderkompetenz reflektieren und anwenden" ["Gender. Society. Habit? Reflecting on and applying gender competence"] offers you the opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge about gender issues and to look at social structures from a new, reflected perspective. You will not only learn how gender images and stereotypes (gender bias) arise and have an effect, but also what role gender plays - often unconsciously - in everyday life. An intersectional approach makes it clear how closely gender is interwoven with other social inequalities. In this way, the course not only raises awareness of gender equality, but also of diversity as a whole. 

Another central component is the overview of the historical development of women's rights and central gender theories. The examination of the milestones of the women's movements in the FRG and GDR creates a deeper understanding of how past struggles shape our present - and why the commitment to equality is still necessary today.

This training course is particularly valuable for anyone who wants to deal with gender equality, diversity or social change either professionally or personally. It strengthens the ability for critical reflection, promotes a differentiated understanding of gender as a social structural category and provides practical impulses for dealing with gender issues in everyday life and at work.

Learning objectives

• You will recognize how nature and culture are intertwined in the construction of gender differences and how this relates to different concepts of gender.
  
  
• You will recognize the relevance of gender knowledge.
  
  
• You will reflect on widespread assumptions about gender and will be sensitized to gender equality.
  
  
• You will recognize the importance of gender diversity and intersectionality as part of gender equality work.
  
  
• You will acquire basic knowledge of gender theories and history.
  
  
• You will be familiar with the key impulses and milestones in the development of women's rights and the women's movement.

Target group

The course is primarily aimed at ESF scholarship holders and ESF-funded junior research groups. However, all other interested university members are also welcome. Participation is free of charge. The course will be held in German.

Work units and certificate

The training course comprises 8 work units. The course can be credited towards fulfilling the SAB requirements. A certificate of attendance will be issued for participation in both training days.

Place and time

• Wednesday, November 5, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in room 6-202
• Wednesday, December 3, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in room 6-202

Registration

By 24.10.2025 with the subject "Workshopanmeldung Genderkompetenz" by e-mail to valeria.winkler@hs-mittweida.de

Many women are under enormous pressure in their professional lives: they want to perform at their best, set high standards for themselves – and yet often feel that they are not good enough. Between career ambitions, external expectations, and internal demands, mental health often falls by the wayside.

With the workshop “Mental Health in the Workplace for Women*,” Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is offering a space on July 2, 2025, to highlight these very challenges. Led by Lisa Schaller, the workshop will address mental stressors that particularly affect women* in their everyday working lives. It will become clear that mental exhaustion is not an individual problem – it also has structural causes.

Participants can expect a safe space for open exchange, practical ideas for everyday life, and practical tools for strengthening their own mental resilience. The aim is to encourage women* – especially those starting their careers – to pursue their goals with confidence and in a healthy way.

The workshop is aimed at all students and employees who identifies as female and would like to learn how to take better care of their mental health in their everyday working life. The workshop will be held in German.

• Time: July 2, 2025 | 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Location: HSMW| Grunert de Jácome Building (House 6) | Room 442 | Am Schwanenteich 4b | 09648 Mittweida
• Registration: By email to women.connect@hs-mittweida.de
• Participation is free of charge

In 2023, the proportion of women among all professors in Germany was less than a third. Although 46% of doctorates were completed by women, their share drops rapidly as they progress in their careers. This is particularly the case in STEM subjects.

In this workshop, we will use the data collected by Professor Ramona Kusche in the project "FioKo - Promotion of women through individual and organizational competencies in education and careers (MINT)" to provide an insight into the structural hurdles for women at universities and especially in the MINT subjects. We then want to work out which (individual) measures can be used to counteract these hurdles and how women can be supported in detail.

Participants will be given the opportunity to discuss personal experiences or case studies from their everyday work in a safe space. The aim is to jointly formulate recommendations for action that can be derived from the discussion. Participation is free of charge. The workshop will be held in German.

The event is particularly aimed at professors, academic staff and those involved in job interviews.

• Time: June 25, 2025 | 09:00 - 13:00 (incl. 45-minute breakfast break)
• Venue: HSMW| Ludwig-Hilmer-Bau (House 39) | Room 115| Bahnhofstraße 15 | 09648 Mittweida
• Registration: With the subject "Workshopteilnahme" by e-mail to stauche@hs-mittweida.de