Leibniz Association: Leibniz Mentoring Network

Once the mentees have successfully completed the programme, they become alumnae and are invited to join the Leibniz Mentoring Network.

Based on mutual trust, the alumnae network is a safe space for networking and exchange on career development and day-to-day leadership in academia and beyond. It promotes professional exchange across disciplinary boundaries and acts as a springboard for joint projects. The network now connects around 265 alumnae and is growing all the time. The alumnae represent a wide variety of career stages and career paths, which also reflect the diversity of possible careers and positions in research and related fields.

Annual network meetings

Once a year, the Leibniz Association invites its Leibniz Mentoring alumnae to meet up with their own cohort and to get to know colleagues from other cohorts. The network meetings take place alternately at Leibniz Headquarters and at a Leibniz institute. In addition to professional exchange and further training programmes, the meetings also offer the opportunity to gain an insight into the research conducted at the Leibniz institute in question.

The network meetings consist of a long, one-and-a-half-day workshop, a parallel short intensive workshop with training units and the network meeting in the narrower sense, which focuses on confidential exchange, networking, and the further development of network activities. Discussions in plenary sessions are dedicated to science-related topics such as the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG), sustainable models for promoting women's careers in science or leading hybrid teams.

Past training topics have included storytelling, mental health, successful negotiation, research funding, conflict and how to become a “naysayer“, team development, voice training, time management, managing international projects and science communication.

The meetings also include rounds of "peer counselling" – a format that the alumnae are familiar with from their time as mentees and which reflects the strength of the network as an interdisciplinary group based on mutual trust.

Regular virtual meetings – both topic-led and open – complement the in-person discussions.

The next network meeting of the Leibniz Mentoring Network will take place at the end of February 2026 in Potsdam and Berlin – all alumnae are cordially invited to attend!

Subgroups

The constantly growing network has formed expert groups such as "alumnae in museums", "alumnae from abroad" and "alumnae outside of academia", who contribute their expertise, advising mentees and other alumnae.

Integration in the Leibniz Mentoring programme

The alumnae contribute to Leibniz Mentoring in a variety of ways, not only enriching it with their expertise and specific experiences, but also showing the mentees early on what a treasure trove and resource the network is that awaits them at the end of the programme.

Alumnae take part in the preparatory workshop at the start of a programme and advise the new mentees on how to choose a mentor. They are also available to answer any questions and concerns the mentees may have at the end of their programme through the "Ask an Alumna" format.

In addition, there is an advisory group made up of alumnae from abroad who have established themselves in the German academic system, and who support mentees who are unfamiliar with the system by providing them with informal knowledge and individual advice.

Alumnae are also involved in the specialisation units "Networking on virtual platforms" and "Access to exclusive networks" that form part of the seminar on "Visibility and networking".

Alumnae as mentors

Several of the mentors are themselves alumnae of the programme. Here, some of them introduce themselves.

From 2010 to 2019, I worked at the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE) on nutritional behaviour and links to obesity and type 2 diabetes in people from sub-Saharan Africa. After an exciting position as Robert Bosch Junior Professor for Sustainable Nutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa at Heidelberg University Hospital (2019–2023), I took up the Hertz Professorship of Innovation for Planetary Health at the University of Bonn in October 2023. I took part in the Leibniz Mentoring Programme as a mentee in 2018. I found the experiences with my mentor and the work in the mentee group truly enriching. The seminars gave me the opportunity to stop and reflect. I am keen to pass on this added value. In 2024, I became a mentor in the Leibniz Mentoring Programme.
When I joined the mentoring program, I was stepping into the role of a young group leader working in the field of non-thermal coating solutions. Tasked with co-initiating a surface technology innovation network for regional small and medium enterprises it was an exciting yet challenging time.
The mentoring program became a transformative experience for me, providing a dedicated space for self-reflection and empowerment. The skills I learned in the workshops allowed me to confront the unique challenges that young female scientists often face, and I learned invaluable coping strategies that helped me stay true to my convictions. Meeting colleagues from other institutes, I developed a deeper commitment to the goals of the Leibniz Association, which thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration. This shows to be more and more important in order to face the societal challenges of today´s world. In 2022, I was honored to be appointed to head a research area at the Leibniz-Institute of Surface Engineering (IOM), a new role with a fresh set of opportunities and challenges. The connections I made in the Leibniz mentoring program continue to accompany me, providing a network of support that I cherish.
Today, I remain actively involved in the alumnae network, where I participate in events and have taken on the responsibility of mentoring. Helping mentees to find their own way in research also strengthens my own understanding of the need for change in our working environment.
As a graduate of the Leibniz Mentoring Programme in 2018, I experienced directly the valuable guidance and support that the programme and network offer scientists on the path to a professorship. This makes it all the more important to me that I can now pass on my experiences as a mentor and support female scientists on their own career journey. Supporting international female scientists who are navigating the German research system is something that is particularly close to my heart. As a spokesperson for the Leibniz Mentoring Network, it is also important to me to convey the long-term significance of the community and to encourage the mentees to actively and confidently shape their careers while also relying on the help of the network.
The Leibniz Mentoring Programme has helped me to make significant progress, and the Mentoring Network for alumnae has demonstrated the value of interdisciplinary exchange at many key points in my career. I am proud and grateful to be part of this network and look forward to continuing to be actively involved in various ways as an alumna, speaker and mentor.
Since May 2024, I have been a W3 Professor for Digital Education at Europa-Universität Flensburg and the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN) in Kiel. Previously, I led research groups at the IPN in Kiel and the Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien (IWM) in Tübingen and worked as a W2 Professor for Digitisation and Education at the IWM and the University of Tübingen from 2022 to 2024.
I was offered the opportunity to participate in the Leibniz Mentoring Programme in 2015/2016, while working as a project leader in the German Epigenome Programme – DEEP, a collaborative research project at the German Rheumatism Research Centre Berlin (DRFZ), one of the Leibniz institutes. This impactful project generated reference epigenomes of human immune cells, which are now used to further our understanding of inflammation-driven diseases and to develop advanced treatments. My research group is part of this effort, studying the regulation of genes through their three-dimensional structure.
In 2019, I achieved a significant milestone by securing an ERC Starting Grant, alongside an appointment as an associate professor at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. During this time, I stayed connected to the DRFZ as a liaison group leader. After my research group was fully established, I was granted tenure as Professor of Immuno-Epigenetics at the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), the translational research unit of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
My Leibniz Mentoring story is one of transformation, resilience and empowerment, a testament to the profound impact and effectiveness of the programme. This initiative, dedicated to supporting young female scientists on their journey, has been a cornerstone in my academic and professional development.
As a mentee, the programme offered me a valuable curriculum of workshops and introduced me to an inspiring peer group of female scientists. Just as importantly, it presented a unique opportunity to reflect on my own commitment to science, to clarify for myself what I was willing to give up for a career in academia and where to draw the line. This clarity of purpose became my guide, helping me navigate the complexities of my career path as a scholar.
One of the most significant benefits I experienced was the ability to share ideas with my peers in a context that was devoid of conflicts of interest. The honest, sympathetic and benevolent exchanges with people in very similar situations to my own, as well as the generous and sincere mutual support, were simply invaluable.
Inspired by the support and guidance I received as a mentee, I stayed active in the community: first as one of the spokespersons of the alumni organisation, the Leibniz Mentoring Network, and later stepping into the shoes of a mentor. Both functions help me stay abreast of new challenges that young female scientists face during the early stages of their careers and point me to where I can use my current position to advance structural improvements in academia.
The Leibniz Mentoring Programme has left an indelible mark on my career and personal growth. The programme not only equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in academia but also instilled in me a sense of purpose and commitment when it comes to empowering others. The Leibniz Mentoring Programme is a shining example of how structured support and mentorship can transform lives, fostering a new generation of female leaders in science.
When I took part in the Leibniz Mentoring Programme in 2013/2014, I was a research assistant to the director of the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries. While I was still on the programme, I was offered a junior professorship at the University of Tübingen, which was converted into a full professorship for environmental systems analysis in 2020. In good Leibniz tradition, my work is very interdisciplinary and I am a co-spokesperson of the Environmental Systems Platform. Part of the university’s excellence strategy, the platform connects all the research groups at the University of Tübingen that conduct research on environmental issues – across a whole range of disciplines, from the natural sciences and socioeconomics to law and ethics.
As a mentee in the Leibniz Association, I received invaluable insights and support from my esteemed mentor, my fellow mentees and the various seminars, which have shaped my professional path, empowering me to navigate challenges with confidence. In 2019, I then became a mentor in the Leibniz Mentoring Programme myself. This role allows me to give back and try to foster growth in others while reflecting on and strengthening my own understanding of leadership, support and collaboration.

Statistics

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Networking in the Leibniz Cloud

Click here for the password-protected network area in the Leibniz Cloud with information on past meetings and other networking opportunities.

Spokespersons

Supported by Leibniz Headquarters, the Leibniz Mentoring Network is managed by a team of five spokespersons, who are elected every two years and represent different alumnae backgrounds. Here they briefly introduce themselves:

I am a meteorologist researching on mineral dust aerosol and their role in the climate system. I have been a scientist and research group leader at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research in Leipzig before I moved to the Freie Universität Berlin in 2021 where I am a Professor at the Institute of Meteorology.
I am delighted to be part of the Alumnae-Network and I think it offers a very valuable resource in many ways.
Contact
Prof. Kerstin Schepanski
Freie Universität Berlin
kerstin.schepanski(at)fu-berlin.de
I studied Biology in Italy and moved to Germany during my PhD. After a 2.5 years experience in the USA, I moved back to Germany and I currently have a group leader position at IfADo (Dortmund). Thanks to my interdisciplinary research topic, I am used to work with colleagues from other disciplines and network a lot, which I really enjoy!
The Alumnae network is a great opportunity for me to get in touch with extraordinary women from different disciplines and with diverse life experiences, but still with common aims, questions and troubles. It is a honour for me to help supporting the network.
Contact
Prof. Silvia Capellino
Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Dortmund
capellino(at)ifado.de
Since May 2024, I am W3 professor for Digital Education at the Europa-Universität Flensburg and at the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN) in Kiel. Before that, I led research groups at the IPN and the Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien (IWM) in Tübingen and was W2 professor for Digitization and Education at the University of Tübingen from 2022 to 2024.
The Leibniz mentoring program has been extremely valuable in my academic journey and I am very happy to maintain a close connection to the network as a speaker and to support its activities.
Contact
Prof. Marlit Lindner
Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN), Kiel
mlindner(at)leibniz-ipn.de
Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum
I am a prehistoric archaeologist, head of the Science Management Department at the German Mining Museum Bochum, Leibniz Research Museum for Georesources and was a mentee in the first nationwide year of the Leibniz Mentoring Programme. I helped shape the beginnings of the alumnae network and have been involved as a spokesperson ever since, with a longer break. I work part-time as a systemic management consultant, coach and trainer.
I value the alumnae network enormously because, on the one hand, it contains so many interesting women with a wide range of skills who live and work in very diverse work contexts and roles. On the other hand, I very much appreciate being able to engage in an intensive exchange of experiences or even discuss problems in a trusting and protected environment within the network, as this is unfortunately no longer a matter of course and unreservedly possible in my own professional context from certain career stages onwards.
Contact
Dr Diana Modarressi-Tehrani
Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum – Leibniz-Forschungsmuseum für Georessourcen (DBM)
diana.modarressi-tehrani(at)bergbaumuseum.de
Biochemist by training (Tübingen, Germany) and specialized in infection disease research during my PhD (Umeå, Sweden) and postdoc (Jena, Germany) studies, I now work as a Biosampling Manager at BioNTech (Mainz, Germany), supporting their clinical studies (mostly oncology).
This professional transition and system switch influenced my point of view regarding our alumnae network – which in return I would like to use to shape our network to be attractive to all alumnae – independent of the career path they choose.
Contact
Maria Joanna Niemiec, PhD
BioNTech SE, Mainz
joanna.niemiec(at)biontech.de

10 years of Leibniz Mentoring
In 2024, Leibniz Mentoring celebrated its tenth anniversary! To mark the occasion, we had a party and we are taking a look back at ten years full of experiences, successes and enriching encounters.
To the anniversary page

Contact

Dr Alexandra Schweiger
Leibniz Association
Chausseestraße 111
10115 Berlin
T +49 30 206049 617
schweiger@leibniz-gemeinschaft.de

Downloads

Leibniz Mentoring Network Rules (PDF)