Newsletter March 2026
News from the TU Dortmund University
Dr. Ute Zimmermann handed over the baton as Head of the Equal Opportunities, Family and Diversity Unit to Nadine Finke-Micheel on 01.01.2026. An introduction in the form of a short interview can be found below under the "Short interviews" tab.
The new "Diversity" tab on the TU Dortmund University homepage now brings together information, contacts and networks on the topic.
Science, research and teaching thrive on the diversity of perspectives, ideas and questions. Diversity is therefore at the heart of our university. With the new "Diversity" tab on the main page, TU Dortmund University is focusing even more strongly on this central topic and making stakeholders more visible.
The content was compiled by the Equal Opportunities, Family and Diversity Office and provides a comprehensive overview of information, offers and committed people who are committed to respectful, equal opportunities and inclusive campus life.
In the diversity portal, you can find out more about the wide range of activities designed to sustainably strengthen and protect diversity on campus.
For comments and requests, please contact Nadine Finke-Micheel
The HoKiDo parents' café is opening its doors again!
From 3 to 4 p.m. on selected dates in the KuKi room, there is an opportunity for a relaxed chat over coffee and cake. Children are welcome - parents are responsible for supervision.
Dates:
- Wed., 01.04. (no joke)
- Tue, 12.05.
- Thu, 18.06.
The short-term childcare (KuKi) at HoKiDo has extended its childcare hours! From now on, a total of up to 8 children aged 10 months to 4 years can be looked after in the KuKi for up to 4 hours a day.
The offer can be used by all TU members and guests of the TU.
Childcare hours from Monday to Friday (deviations possible by arrangement):
- 08:00 to 12:00
- 08:30 to 12:30
- 09:00 to 13:00
- 10:00 to 14:00
- 12:00 to 16:00
The Family Service visited the KuKi and captured some impressions. The video is published on our Instagram channel.
Caring for relatives often comes very unprepared. Organizing the care situation is a challenge. Combining work or studies, family and care is a balancing act for many carers. Care guide Ulrike Grate offers helpful information and tips.
Ulrike Grates, the TU Dortmund University's caregiver since 2021, invites all university members who are facing the challenges of caring for relatives or who will take on this task in the future to a joint exchange via Zoom.
Topics include:
- Help and support options
- Sharing experiences and staying in dialog
- Finding new individual and creative solutions through joint exchange
When?
Tuesday, 19.05.2026, 10:00 a.m.
Where?
Prior registration is not necessary.
If you have any questions, please contact Adina Korte
On April 23, 2026, the nationwide Girls*Day and Boys*Day events will take place, in which TU Dortmund University will also participate with a diverse program. Under the motto "Discover TU Dortmund University", girls and boys will have the opportunity to get to know our university in an exciting way.
The departments and institutions with a STEM focus offer special activities for schoolgirls aged 10 to 16. At the same time, pupils in the same age group can explore areas with a focus on social and cultural sciences. In separate groups, the participants gain insights into courses of study and training professions in which the other gender has so far predominated.
The program includes a variety of activities - including information events, experiments and hands-on workshops. For example, schoolgirls can learn more about artificial intelligence or try out their manual skills in the workshop. Boys have the opportunity to take a closer look at pop music or rehabilitation science.
We cordially invite your child or children to spend the day at TU Dortmund University.
You can register via the Girls*Day or Boys*Day website.
The application forms for exemption from school lessons for this day can be found in the service area of the official websites.
News from Dortmund and the surrounding area
The podcast "5-1-7: 180 seconds of information for families" is an offer from the prevention department of the Dortmund Youth Welfare Office. This format presents relevant topics for parents.
For example, it talks about...
- what happens during a welcome visit after the birth of the child,
- what the responsibilities of a freelance midwife are,
- how the daycare portal is structured,
... and much more.
In the DASA Arbeitswelt exhibition in Dortmund, there is not only exciting content for adults to discover, but also for children.
In addition to the children's construction site (outdoor playground), various workshops can be visited, such as the sewing workshop (for children aged 12 and over). Children are playfully guided through the exhibition by means of a search game/quiz (e.g. with the dragon Roxi in the flame hunt).
23.04. is World Book Day, which is why "fun, games and excitement" is on the program in all libraries in Dortmund in the week surrounding this day. There will be performances by theater groups and musicians who invite you to join in and dance.
Every third Sunday of the month from 10:00-13:00, a one-parent meeting takes place in the café of the Mütterzentrum Dortmund, where single parents can network with each other. There is free childcare for younger children and a craft activity for older children.
LEBEDO (Psychosoziale Beratungsstelle für LSBTIQ* - Vielfalt Leben in Dortmund) regularly offers a rainbow family meeting on Sundays from 2:00 to 5:00 pm in the multi-generational house in the Mütterzentrum Dortmund. All families who define themselves as rainbow families and have children of baby, toddler and primary school age as well as couples who wish to have children are invited.
Interesting projects, offers and surveys
As part of a representative survey conducted by the Körber Foundation in 2025, a total of 1,006 parents of children aged between 12 and 18 in Germany were asked about parental stress. The reasons for stress as well as support structures for parents and their children were examined. The results show that many parents are under pressure in their everyday lives. The biggest stress factors are the global security situation, too little time for themselves and the couple relationship. Financial worries and children's media use also play a role. Many parents actively accompany and support their children, but would like more support from schools and the education system.
The "InterCare" research project deals with the compatibility of (further) education and care responsibilities. To this end, carers between the ages of 18 and 30 are asked about their experiences, as are care recipients who are at least 20 years older than the person providing support.
Good to know
Students whose maternity leave overlaps with the time required to complete a term paper, bachelor’s thesis, or master’s thesis may be eligible for an extension of the completion period. If the completion period falls within the maternity leave period (6 weeks before and 8 weeks after childbirth), this period will be interrupted or extended accordingly. For example, if a master’s thesis normally takes four months to complete, the writing period may be extended by up to 14 weeks—depending on when the maternity leave period falls. Students should contact the Registrar’s Office early on and notify TU Dortmund University of their pregnancy.
There is a relative ban on examinations during maternity protection periods. However, this can be waived voluntarily if it is expressly declared to the lecturers or examiners that examinations or courses can be taken. As long as there is no risk to the pregnant person or the child, examinations can also be taken during maternity leave.
Students with child(ren) receive preferential allocation of places on courses with restricted admission.
The midwife hotline provides expectant parents from Dortmund with information about midwife services and support in finding a midwife.
Telephone: +49 (0) 231 50 - 10188
Availability: Tuesdays 15:00-17:00 and Fridays from 10:00-12:00
Short interviews
Congratulations on your new position as Head of the Office for Equal Opportunity, Family and Diversity. Could you briefly introduce yourself and your professional background to our readers?
Thank you very much! I am really looking forward to the new responsibilities that come with this role. While I was still studying at Ruhr University Bochum (Education and Social Psychology), I joined TU Dortmund University in 2011 through project funding to launch the student project MinTU – Mädchen in die TU Dortmund together with a colleague. After completing my master’s degree, I had the opportunity to shift my focus from supporting girls in their career orientation to promoting career development for female students in the project female.2.enterprises and for postdocs in the Career Forum for Postdocs of the University Alliance Ruhr.
I remained committed to the topic of diversity‑sensitive career development until taking on the leadership of the Office and spent several years advising, qualifying, and connecting prospective doctoral candidates and doctoral researchers at the Graduate Center. Over the past ten years, I have had the chance to contribute to all thematic areas of the Office — including organizing large family conferences, supporting the first re‑audit process for the “Shaping Diversity” certificate awarded by the Stifterverband, and helping implement the action plan “A University for All.” On a more practical level, this also included co‑facilitating workshops on diversity in teaching and gender‑inclusive language. In 2021, I became the Deputy Head of the Office, which allowed me to work even more strategically and strengthen national networks across our diverse fields of work.
Which topics and services of the Family Service are currently especially important to you?
It is important to me that students and employees at TU Dortmund University who have caregiving responsibilities know that we are here to support them in the best possible way and that they do not feel alone when facing uncertainties, concerns, or challenges related to balancing responsibilities. Public awareness of our counseling and childcare services on campus is therefore essential. Even when the Family Service cannot directly solve a particular issue, we always try to provide information, refer to additional support services, and create spaces for exchange — such as the Caregiving Meet‑Up for students. We plan to further expand these peer‑based formats in the future.
The topic of caring for relatives is also very close to my heart, as demographic change means it is becoming increasingly relevant for both employees and students at TU Dortmund University. We want to ensure that the Family Service is well prepared to support this area early on.
You also bring your own experience in balancing family and career. What advice would you like to share with our readers?
To borrow a lovely calendar quote (I believe from John Lennon): “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.” From my own experience, I know that you can make the most thoughtful plans for balancing work and family — and then something unexpected happens anyway. Whether it’s flu season, sudden daycare closures, or chronic illnesses, life rarely sticks to the script. Still, it is important to make these plans and then learn to adapt them flexibly when things change. And that is exactly where the Family Service would be delighted to support you!
Fun Facts
Babies can already perceive sounds and music in the womb. From around the 23rd week of pregnancy, they react to sounds, and towards the end of pregnancy they even react specifically to music. Studies also show that newborns recognize familiar melodies. Many babies react positively when they hear a sound again that they heard before birth.
Contact, advice & feedback
Our Family Service offers a wide range of advice on how to combine family responsibilities with studies and training as well as academia and work. We support students and employees in finding individual solutions for different life situations.
Possible topics could be
- I am pregnant during my studies - what now?
- Maternity protection for students
- Studying with child(ren)
- Organizing work with a family
- Parental leave and parental allowance for employees
- Childcare on campus
- With child(ren) on campus
- Caring for relatives (due to age, illness or disability)
To arrange an appointment, please contact us at familien-service@tu-dortmund.de or by telephone. We look forward to hearing from you!
Here you can access our LimeSurvey survey, where you can add constructive criticism, praise and topic requests.
We look forward to your feedback so that we can make the newsletter even more tailored to your needs!
