“Family is where you take long-term responsibility for others”, is the modern definition of what family means, that has been adopted by the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. To help parents balance work and family in a convenient way the SFB/TR 103 has furnished a parent-child office, which combines office infrastructure (computer, printer, telephone) and a play area for children (including toys, books, and a baby crib). Additionally, the SFB/TR 103 has established teleworking stations to support researchers who need to work at home due to family requirements. The SFB/TR 103 also provides individual child-care to enable parents to participate in special events and meetings that take place outside normal working hours.

Consistent with the affirmative action program of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum the SFB/TR 103 provides financial incentives to appoint female researchers. Each project, which in the course of restructuring hires a female scientist, obtains additional funding of €5000 per year. These resources can be invested individually by the research projects.

A research networking portal designed to expand the networking opportunities and visibility of female scientists and engineers within the SFB/TR 103 research community has been established as part of the two central annual meetings, where all members and researchers of the projects come together. During these interaction weeks we offer female scientists and members of the SFB/TR 103 a platform to exchange ideas and experiences with one another in an informal atmosphere as well as to interact among themselves throughout the different stages of their scientific career.

The SFB/TR 103 also individually targets young researchers and students (undergraduate and master) in order to ensure a best possible education. Several activities, such as career days including workshops and seminars provide insight into career tracks in research at universities and industry. Additionally our students can profit from individual measures for their personal development including mentoring and coaching.

With the help of a wide range of special qualification measures and training programs the SFB/TR 103 places great emphasis on improving soft skills and encouraging the personal and professional development of women and their individual careers.