Erasmus_ Her Tech, Her Terms. Engagement as the key

Project background

To this day, women are strongly underrepresented in ICT professions in Germany. The reasons for this are manifold and are being examined in more detail across Europe as part of the HER TECH project. Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences is researching the current situation in the fields of ICT and STEM in Germany.

The first step of the project involved a comprehensive analysis of programmes and initiatives in Germany that specialize in promoting girls and women in technical professions and training fields.

As the most important educational institution in south-east Bavaria, Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences has been particularly committed to promoting girls and women in STEM fields for many years. Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences initiated the MINTregion18 network - a central platform for STEM stakeholders in south-eastern Upper Bavaria. Within this network, the MINTnetz18+ was created at the beginning of 2023, which connects schools, companies, public institutions and the university in order to bundle regional STEM activities. The main topics range from support from kindergarten to university entrance qualifications, gender-sensitive concepts, STEM qualifications for educational staff and network coordination. At the children's university, children aged 7 to 12 experience science first-hand - with exciting topics (e.g. sustainable plastic, airplanes, plant communication) and experiments in the laboratory.

The MINT-EC regional forum brings together pupils (from year 10), teachers and companies every year. Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences offers workshops, laboratory tours, specialist lectures (e.g. "Plastics on the test bench", personal stories "My story, my passion for science") and further training for teachers on the topic of artificial intelligence in the classroom.

The MINTerAKTIV project (funded by the Ministry of Science and Industry and business associations) aims to improve the framework conditions for STEM subjects - including through lower drop-out rates, better transitions from school to university and regional anchoring. Specifically, Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences is using activating learning in physics ("just-in-time teaching", peer instruction, blended learning) as part of PRO-Aktjv and is developing materials that will also be made available to other universities.

Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences' participation in the HER TECH project studies will provide further important insights into what steps will be necessary in the future to close the gender gap.

Project objective

Together with seven partner institutions from seven European countries, the project is committed to breaking down barriers, promoting equal opportunities and equipping young women with the skills they need for a successful career in the ICT sector. The aim is to comprehensively research and document the current situation in the various countries and, based on the results, to develop concrete recommendations for action and steps that will help educational institutions, politicians and society to achieve greater awareness and equal opportunities.

Inclusive teaching concepts are to be developed to inspire female students for ICT subjects, role models are to break down gender stereotypes, learning materials and training programs for women are to be created and made available and an international network for knowledge exchange and the promotion of gender equality is to be established.

Project procedure

The EU-wide project is divided into 8 work packages, each of which is led by a project partner. Regular meetings between all participants ensure a constant exchange of knowledge and contribute to a comprehensive picture of regional and national differences.

A large-scale online survey in each country and interviews with stakeholders from the project's various target groups provide in-depth insights into the personal experiences of women in the ICT sector. The documentation of the collected results and the evaluation will provide groundbreaking conclusions on the reasons why there is still a gender gap, especially in STEM and ICT professions.

Innovation

For the first time, a research project will take a detailed look at the situation of women in STEM and ICT professions across Europe and, by documenting the current situation, show in concrete terms what changes are needed to close the gender gap. The collected results will paint a comprehensive picture of women in ICT professions in Europe.

Regional and national differences will become visible, recommendations for action can benefit from the mutual exchange of knowledge and best practice models and at the same time be adapted to country-specific requirements.