Academia is still shaped by structural inequalities and does not yet sufficiently reflect the diversity of society. For instance, while women make up almost half of those pursuing a doctorate in Germany, they remain significantly underrepresented at the highest levels of academic careers; there were only 30% of women among full-time professors at the end of 2024.
Beyond gender, many other dimensions of diversity can shape experiences and opportunities in academia, including sexual orientation and gender identity, ethnic background and nationality, religion and worldview, different physical and mental abilities, age, socioeconomic background (e.g. being a first-generation academic), and other aspects of identity. For doctoral researchers whose experiences or identities differ from those of the majority in their academic environment, this can contribute to feelings of not belonging, self-doubt, or the perception that they must work harder to fit into the academic system.
But diversity is not a deficit. On the contrary, it is a valuable resource. Science and academia benefit from a plurality of perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking. This talk offers a safe and supportive space to reflect on experiences of belonging, exchange perspectives with others, and address self-doubt and fears of not fitting into academia. The workshop encourages participants to recognise their individual identities and experiences not as obstacles, but as sources of strength that can enrich academic environments.
Together, we will explore how to build self-confidence, challenge internalised expectations, and develop a sense of belonging on your own terms, without having to conform to a predefined image of what an academic is supposed to look like.
