On November 4, the TRAWOS Institute of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences presented a joint panel on "Gender Equality in Structural Change" at the Gender Equality Day of the Federal Foundation for Gender Equality in Berlin. Together with colleagues from the BBSR and BTU Cottbus, our researchers Bernadette Rohlf and Leonie Liemich brought together various research perspectives to shed light on the challenges and opportunities of gender equality in structural change.

In their poster "What research and development must achieve in Lusatia", they discussed how technical and social innovations can be combined to promote women more strongly in STEM professions and degree courses. The research results presented showed that women are still underrepresented in technological R&D projects in the region (only 28% participation) and that targeted measures such as flexible working models, mentoring and networks are needed to address this imbalance. It is particularly important to integrate social innovations into the development processes and to create gender-equitable career opportunities in the research and development sector for the further development of the region - Lusatia.

In the discussion with experts from business, politics and administration, perspectives for services of general interest, mobility and "good work" were discussed - topics that are of central importance for the development of Lusatia and other coal phase-out regions. The participants contributed practical approaches on how gender diversity can be strategically promoted in structural change and how existing obstacles can be overcome.

A big thank you to all participants who contributed to advancing the topic of gender equality in Lusatia with their impulses and best practice examples!