"Mary Somerville" Lecturer Program
Since the 1998–99 winter semester, Rhineland-Palatinate has had a special program to promote women at universities of applied sciences—now known as universities of applied sciences (HAW)—named after the English scientist and mathematician Mary Somerville.
This is a lecturer program for qualified women who do not yet fully meet the hiring requirements for professorships. Through these teaching assignments, they have the opportunity to establish contacts at universities of applied sciences, thereby increasing their chances when they later apply for an advertised professorship.
Requirements for Instructors
- A successfully completed degree from a university or comparable institution of higher education
- demonstrated aptitude for scholarly work (usually evidenced by a qualifying doctoral degree) or at least three years of professional experience outside the higher education sector
- It must be evident that the qualifications still required for a professorship at a University of Applied Sciences will be obtained within a reasonable period of time. (Exceptions may be granted for the arts in accordance with § 49(4) of the Higher Education Act (HochSchG)).
- The applicant should not have previously held a teaching position at the applying HAW.
Requirements on the part of HAW
- This measure must result in an increase in the proportion of women among adjunct faculty. Therefore, the academic departments must explain, using comparative data, to what extent this will be the case compared to the two preceding semesters.
- The standard curriculum requirement remains unaffected by the number of teaching staff.
- The Ministry of Science and Health will allocate the necessary funding for teaching positions—for up to six semester hours per week per case—on a semester-by-semester basis upon application by the respective University of Applied Sciences (deadlines: March 1, September 1), provided that the applicant’s resume is included. The maximum funding period is two years. The equal opportunity officers must be involved in the application process.
