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The directors of Leipzig's universities and research institutions, along with guests from science, politics and society, met at the Leipzig Science Club on 13 October 2025 to discuss how to further develop Leipzig as a hub for research and innovation. The members of the Leipzig Science Network (LSN) – the association of Leipzig's scientific institutions – met at the Faculty of Medicine of Leizpzig University to discuss steps to further strengthen excellence in research and cooperation in transfer, administration and infrastructure, and to promote Leipzig's attractiveness to international researchers and students.

State Secretary Prof. Dr. Heike Graßmann in conversation with board members Prof. Dr. Michael Stumvoll (© Swen Reichhold)
Dr. Sabine König and Prof. Dr. Dr. Ulrike Köhl (© Swen Reichhold)

At the beginning, Prof. Dr. Michael Stumvoll from the Faculty of Medicine provided an insight into the new cluster of excellence “Leipzig Centre of Metabolism (LeiCeM)”, which will officially start on 1 January 2026. LeiCeM will use a pioneering, interdisciplinary approach to research metabolic diseases such as obesity and translate this research into clinical applications.

Prof. Dr. Eva Inés Obergfell, Chair of the LSN Executive Board and Rector of Leipzig University, then presented her ideas for the strategic development of scientific cooperation in Leipzig. She emphasised that the Leipzig Science Network has significantly advanced cooperation between universities, research institutions and the City of Leipzig, particularly in the areas of public relations, internationalisation and administration. In the future, the network also wants to leverage the full potential of stronger cooperation in research and the strategic positioning of Leipzig as a hub for research and innovation. Starting next year, the LSN will support this by organising thematic workshops and offering seed funds.

On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the eleventh International Day of Women and Girls in Science will take place world wide. Leipzig, a hub for science, is also participating.

This year, many universities and research institutions in Leipzig and the surrounding area are once again organizing themed events around this day to provide information about progress and career prospects for women in science. For the first time, there will also be a networking event aimed at the entire Leipzig scientific community, organized by the LSN in cooperation with the University of Leipzig: “How do we forge alliances that can withstand headwinds?” To register for the individual events, please contact the organizing institution directly.

Background: As the United Nations states on its website, gender equality in science is essential for a better future for all. However, women and girls continue to face systemic barriers and prejudices when pursuing scientific careers.

How do we forge alliances that can withstand headwinds?

Panel discussion with Prof. Eva Inés Obergfell (Rector of Leipzig University), Prof. Jean-Alexander Müller (Rector of HTWK), Prof. Julia Herzberg (Deputy Director of the Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe) and Dr. Katrin Leonardt (Chair of the Board of Saxony Development Bank)
An event in cooperation with Leipzig University.

Date & time: February 11, 2026, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
From 6:00 p.m. Networking opportunities and closing reception in the foyer of the Augusteum
Type: Panel discussion/roundtable discussion, in person
Location: Paulinum – Auditorium and University Church of St. Pauli
Target group: Open to everyone - bring your allies!

Event & Registration

Women in (Citizen) Science – Perspectives from Medicine and Biodiversity Research

The event focuses on female scientists working in medical, environmental, and biodiversity research, as well as at the intersections between these fields, and highlights the role women play in innovative, participatory, and transdisciplinary research approaches.

Date & time: February 11, 2026, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Type: Lecture
Location: Online, bilingual DE/EN
Target group: Open to everyone

Binding registration here.

Organized as part of the “UFZ DEI Lecture” (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) event series by UFZ and the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité

Orientation program for schoolchildren

Date & time: February 11, 2026, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Type: Orientation event
Location: Merseburg University of Applied Sciences, TaC + Foyer and online
Target group: Schoolchildren, in German

Organized by the following projects at Merseburg University of Applied Sciences: Center of Advanced Scientific Education (CASE) joint project, Female Professors Program III project, FEM POWER project, and the Equal Opportunities Commission. Supported by Saalesparkasse.

Lecture on gender equality at universities & presentation of the Equality Award

The day will begin with a festive opening ceremony at 1 p.m. for all interested parties. This will be followed by various events on topics such as gender equality and the university's equality award.

Date & time: February 11, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Type: Lecture, award ceremony, networking
Location: Merseburg University of Applied Sciences, TaC + Foyer and online
Target group: Open to all, in German

Organized by the following projects at Merseburg University of Applied Sciences: Center of Advanced Scientific Education (CASE) joint project, Female Professors Program III project, FEM POWER project, and the Equal Opportunities Commission. Supported by Saalesparkasse.

"Picture a Scientist"

Who does science? And why do we still think of it as something done by “scientists”? A biologist, a chemist, and a geologist tackle these questions and take us on a journey through their academic careers—as women in science.

Date & time: February 10, 2026, 6 to 8 p.m.
Type: Film Screening (in English)
Location: HTWK, HfTL building in T_A1.40
Target audience: Open to everyone

Organized by Linda Hempel in cooperation with Flimmersession (Student cinema of HTWK)

Workshops for HTWK employees and students

Date & location: February 3, 4 and 24, 2026
Type: Workshops
Location: HTWK Leipzig, in German
Target group: Women, non-binary persons, trans persons, inter persons, and agender persons of HTWK Leipzig

Organized by the Female Scientists Network at HTWK Leipzig

Holiday University 2026 – Connecting Dots

Points are everywhere—if we look around the digital and physical world, we find pixels, drops and more. During this holiday college program, we will take a closer look at all of these things. The goal: to experiment, design, and discover new connections.
You can look forward to three days of exciting insights into college life, ideas for your future, great people, and a variety of workshops.

Date & location: February 17 to 19, 2026
Type: Free trial study program
Location: HTWK Leipzig, in German
Target group: Open to female school students from grade 10 onwards

Organized by the Makers Lab for female students at HTWK Leipzig

FemCafé

Christin Raue from the contact point “Women in EU Research” (FiF) is welcomed here. In her keynote speech, she provides insight into the topic of gender and equal opportunities in EU research funding. The FiF contact point serves as the central advisory office in Germany for all questions relating to equality and equal opportunities in Horizon Europe.

Date & time: February 11, 2026, 10 a.m.
Type: Lecture on gender and equal opportunities in EU research funding.
Location: Online, in German
Target group: Open to everyone

Binding registration here.

Organized by the GWZO

Subfield-specific benchmarks as an orientation guide: Analysing gender distribution in literature research and citation practices

Citing is considered a substantive academic decision. However, as current studies show, it can be influenced by various unconscious factors, which affects, among other things, the visibility of different research groups. To raise awareness for balanced citation practices, new instruments and checklists are being discussed. Lioba Enk addresses these developments and presents analytical concepts from her field, focusing on how one's own behaviour can be efficiently evaluated.

Date & location: February 11, 2026, 10 to 11 a.m.
Type: Lecture with discussion round
Location: Zoom/online, in English
Target group: Open to students, doctoral candidates, researchers

Contact for registration: Antonia Werner (wernera[at]cbs.mpg.de)

Program PDF Download

Organized by the Diversity & Inclusion Committee of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences

Open information and networking event for Women in Science 2026

As past of the event "Women in Science 2026 – Alliances for Change", there will be an open information and networking event in the foyer of the Augusteum with information stands and activities related to the action day. Among others: Exhibition "#herstory. Saxony and its female academics."

Date & time: February 11, 2026, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Type: Fair, exhibition
Location: Foyer of the Augusteum
Target group: Open to everyone

Further information

Event day on Campus "Women in Science 2026 – Alliances for Change"

With a wide range of contributions from the university community itself, we would like to celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science with you at the Augustusplatz campus.

Date & time: February 11, 2026, 12 p.m to 6 p.m.
Type: Lectures, workshops, discussion panels
Location: Various locations on campus
Target group: Open to university members

For specific information about the program, the language options and registration, click Organized by the Office for Equal Opportunities, Diversity, and Family at Leipzig University" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.

Organized by the Office for Equal Opportunities, Diversity, and Family at Leipzig University

A fresh boost for Leipzig as a hub of research and innovation

International Day of Women and Girls in Science