Back to the Hall of Femmes

Hall of Femmes

Mostaghim, Sanaz

A moment with...
Professor Sanaz Mostaghim

“I’m Professor of Artificial Intelligence in the Faculty of Computer Science at the University of Magdeburg. Prior to this, I completed my doctoral degree at Paderborn University (2001-2004), worked as a post-doc student at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (2004-2006) and habilitated at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (2006-2013).”

(1) What I love about my current job is...
...that I have all the freedom I need and can take my research in almost any direction I want – that’s what I enjoy most.

(2) One of the highlights of my career so far has been...
...being admitted to the Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

(3) When I look back on my career so far, I’d say that what has particularly shaped me has been...
...I’ve always done what I love and can only recommend others do the same. I’ve always tried to stay down to earth and to do a little more every day. This career requires a lot of patience and perseverance.

(4) I’d advise any young women wishing to pursue a career similar to mine to...
...not give up too soon – stick at it! Dream big; start small; grow gradually! Take on extra work and try to build up networks early on.

(5) I associate my time at Paderborn University with...
...hard work!

(6) For the next 50 years, I wish Paderborn University...
...good luck, and I hope that in 50 years’ time, 50% of all professors at the university will be female!

Also worth seeing

Lenzing, Anke
Professor Anke Lenzing
Anke Lenzing is Professor of English Language Teaching at the University of Innsbruck. She completed her habilitation at Paderborn University in 2018, receiving the Venia Legendi for English Linguistics and Psycholinguistics.
Read interview
Groening, Yvonne
Dr Yvonne Groening
Yvonne Groening is Managing Partner of Paderborn spin-off myconsult GmbH. After completing her doctoral degree at Paderborn University, she founded myconsult together with her co-managing directors, who she met at the university.
Read interview
Grafe, Silke
Professor Silke Grafe
Silke Grafe currently holds the Chair of School Pedagogy at the University of Würzburg and received her doctorate from Paderborn University in 2007.
Read interview
Dr Anna-Lena Berscheid
Anna-Lena Berscheid completed her doctoral degree in Sociology at Paderborn University in 2019 and has been working as a consultant in the Research Career group at the German Research Foundation (DFG) since May 2020.
Read interview
Gerlach, Sailkal
Saikal Gerlach
Saikal Gerlach studied Business Administration & Economics at Paderborn University. In addition to her main job as a risk manager in the construction industry, she is founder of non-profit women’s initiative “HerCentury Germany e.V.”, which aims to promote greater gender equality and diversity.
Read interview