For the fifth time, the EWE Foundation, in co-operation with the University of Oldenburg, has awarded the Helene Lange Prize to outstanding early-career female researchers in STEM disciplines. The prize winner has achieved outstanding results in the field of materials mechanics.
Beatrix Kuhl, a member of the EWE Foundation’s Executive Board, presented the award, worth 10,000 euros, at the EWE Forum Alte Fleiwa to Dr Katrin Schulz from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). “The civil engineer, who holds a PhD, impressed the jury with her outstanding achievements in research and teaching, which she has attained early in her career in the field of materials mechanics, specifically in the area of material and structural simulation. Leading her own research group is also a very special scientific and personal achievement,” said Kuhl.
Schulz, of the class of 1982, studies the material behaviour of metals under permanent deformation. During her academic career, she has received numerous scholarships and been honoured with awards. In 2010, she also co-founded a technology company and is actively involved in a wide range of networks.
“Katrin Schulz not only has an impressive professional track record, but she also manages to balance family and career,” emphasised Prof. Dr Katharina Al-Shamery, acting President of the University of Oldenburg. “We are all called upon to shape the framework conditions for women in academia in such a way that this becomes easier than it has been to date.”
The award was individually designed by the internationally active artist Bärbel Hische from Cloppenburg. This year’s keynote address was delivered by the sociologist and family researcher Prof. Dr Dr h.c. Rosemarie Nave-Herz, who spoke about the widespread childlessness among female academics in Germany.
By the closing date at the end of March, the organisers – the EWE Foundation and the University of Oldenburg – had received 66 applications for the prize from across Germany. The jury made its selection from these entries based on a set of criteria which, in addition to outstanding achievements in teaching and research, included, amongst other things, the determination to pursue an academic career and to see it through to the end. Beatrix Kuhl emphasised that there are still too few young women choosing to study natural sciences, mathematics or technical subjects. As a result, a great deal of potential is being wasted – something that Germany, as a centre of science and business, can no longer afford and does not wish to accept in future.
Through the Helene Lange Prize, the EWE Foundation and the university aim to highlight this shortfall, recognise young female researchers for their outstanding achievements and, in doing so, showcase role models for young women who are about to choose their field of study.
