A moment with...
Professor Andrea Kaimann

“As a Doctor of Engineering, I can look back on a highly diverse career: from industrial research to networking, inspiring young people for STEM subjects and my current role as a professor. In my free time, I volunteer as a Soroptimist, improving the situation for women and, of course, for my family!”

(1) What I love about my current job is...
…the variety of work, the constant new challenges and working with young people!

(2) One of the highlights of my career so far has been...
…being appointed as a professor at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences.

(3) When I look back on my career to date, I’d say that what has particularly shaped me has been...
…working with a wide variety of people in diverse contexts.

(4) I believe that female role models are important in university and professional life today because...
…they help steer young women into exciting professions that are still viewed as predominately male positions in today’s society.

(5) I’d advise any young women wishing to pursue a career similar to mine to...
…build up and maintain a personal network of people who will help and encourage you along your career path through their professional expertise and contacts and personal support.

(6) Given my experience as a professional with care responsibilities, I’ve found the following support particularly beneficial...
…support from my immediate family
…the employment of au-pairs from countries all over the world for over 15 years
…the possibility to take up to two semesters off during my degree to raise my children and still be able to take one exam per semester

(7) One challenge I believe still needs to be conquered on the road to gender equality is...
…the elimination of gender stereotypes in society, so that people and their individual abilities are perceived without prejudice, regardless of their gender.

I’m confident that we’re on the right path to gender equality when I think how...
…more and more young fathers no longer see themselves as only the breadwinner, but also choose to play an active role in looking after and bringing up their children.

(8) I associate my time at Paderborn University with...
…an inspiring, formative period as a student in a wealth of aspects and a fantastic time pursuing my doctorate at the Laboratory of Material and Joining Technology (LWF), which set the course for my professional career.

(9) For the next 50 years, I wish Paderborn University...
…every success in empowering its students to become responsible designers in a highly dynamic environment characterised by complexity and uncertainties.

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Festing, Marion
Professor Marion Festing
Marion Festing is Professor of Human Resource Management and Intercultural Leadership at ESCP Business School in Berlin. She studied Business Administration at Paderborn University, where she also completed her doctoral degree and habilitation.
Jain, Mitisha
Mitisha Jain
Mitisha Jain completed her MSc at Paderborn University and is currently researching defects in graphemes and other 2D materials for application in sensor technology and electronic devices as a member of the “Atomistic Simulation” working group at the Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR).
Dr Kathrin Wunsch
Kathrin Wunsch is a post-doc researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. She conducts research into the psychological determinants of physical activity and develops mobile health apps. She completed her doctoral degree on “Anticipatory action control” at Paderborn University in 2015.
Flagmeier, Vanessa
Junior Professor Vanessa Flagmeier
Vanessa Flagmeier is Junior Professor of Accounting at the University of Passau and obtained her doctoral degree on the topic of “Financial statements’ tax disclosure” from Paderborn University in 2017.
Sigrid Beer
Sigrid Beer
Sigrid Beer, a Paderborn graduate who worked as a research assistant at the university for many years, was a member of the parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia for Bündnis 90/Die Grünen for 17 years.