Events
Scientific expertise is increasingly coming under fire from public hostility: researchers are being attacked online, and research findings are being deliberately discredited.
Female scientists in the fields of medicine and biology, in particular, experience hate and personal attacks at a disproportionately high rate. Female researchers are more frequently subjected to personalized, sexualized, and gender-based attacks, receive more threats against their families and children, and sometimes find their career decisions called into question.
How can universities and researchers respond with confidence? What protection and support structures are necessary? And how can science communication be effectively managed even in crisis situations?
This seminar provides background information, current findings, and practical strategies for dealing with anti-science attacks, disinformation, and digital shitstorms.
For all female researchers who want to make science at MHH visible, secure, and resilient.
Please bring an internet-enabled laptop for the simulation of attacks and their defense.
Speaker: Kristin Küter
- Project Manager for Scicomm Support at Wissenschaft im Dialog
- Head of “Wissenschaft kontrovers”
- Social scientist and science communicator with a special focus on crisis communication.
- More info: www.scicomm-support.de
When: June 5, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (in-person)
Registration: mentoring@mh-hannover.de
Leadership in Research – With Focus, Clarity, and Impact. Gain confidence in leading research projects—despite diverse responsibilities and varying demands.
In this practical workshop, you’ll learn specific strategies for your daily clinical and research work:
- Setting milestones,
- Establishing priorities,
- Managing time, and
- Clearly defining goals
Together, you’ll address the unique challenges of leadership: How do I lead a team? How do I delegate, motivate, and support others? How do I handle conflicts? How do you position yourself within the scientific hierarchy and build an effective network?
Through interactive formats such as fishbowl discussions, small groups, and pair work, you will learn how to establish clear routines, strengthen communication, and confidently take on responsibility—even within complex structures. Prof. Dr. Katja Biermann-Ruben guides you with in-depth knowledge and proven tools.
Speaker: Prof. Katja Biermann-Ruben
- Professor of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology at the Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
- Supervisor and Coach (DGSv certified)
- Experienced in leadership, research, teaching, and consulting for individuals, groups, and teams in the professional fields of health & education and in corporate settings
- biermann-ruben.de
When: October 29, 2026, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (in-person)
Registration: mentoring@mh-hannover.de
Women and Retirement – What Matters with VBL?
September 17, 2026: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Registration
Participants will receive an overview of the legal framework of the VBL company pension and VBLextra. The focus is on questions from women who, due to family and/or caregiving responsibilities, often do not have continuous employment histories. Men/fathers who share family responsibilities equally with their partners are also welcome.
Women and Pensions – What Matters with the DRV?
October 29, 2026: 1:00–4:00 p.m. Registration
Participants will receive an overview of the legal framework regarding pensions and will have the opportunity to clarify any questions they may have. In particular, the session will address questions from women who often bear the primary burden of family responsibilities and consequently do not have continuous employment histories. Men and fathers who share family responsibilities equally with their partners are also welcome.
-----------------------
For a personal consultation, individuals covered by statutory pension insurance may contact the senior insured member, Mr. Peter Jung. However, you should definitely create a digital pension overview in advance. To use the digital pension overview, you will need your online ID and a smartphone or tablet with the AusweisApp.
Peter Jung’s phone number: 0160-8866687
Work-Life Balance-Oriented Leadership – An Event for Managers
June 25, 2025: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
August 20, 2026: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
What does it mean to lead with work-life balance in mind? How do I discuss this topic with my employees? Which of the team members’ needs can be met, and where are the limits of what is possible? Which regulations form the legal basis for action?
Starting the family phase! An event for anyone who is expecting a child.
This course is designed to give participants an overview of the legal basis for maternity and parental leave and returning to work, and to answer any unanswered questions. Various childcare options at the MHH and in Hanover are presented and the requirements for taking advantage of them are clarified.
Contents:
- How long can I take parental leave?
- When do I get parental allowance?
- When can I return to work?
- Can I reduce my working hours after parental leave?
- When can I have my child looked after?
- What childcare options are available at the MHH and in Hanover?
November 26, 2026 9.00 bis 14.00 Uhr Registration
A Conversation with Setareh Huschi, Dr. Anna Jacob, and Dr. Simone Klüber
How can peer leadership succeed in a hospital setting? In the Department of Gynecology at Asklepios Clinic Wandsbek in Hamburg, three female chief physicians jointly lead the department:
Setareh Huschi, Dr. Anna Jacob, and Dr. Simone Klüber.
Not three people sharing one position, but three equal, full-time leaders. They embody collegial leadership.
They will share their experiences and describe how their leadership model—based on equality, clarity, and genuine responsibility—can succeed.
Moderator:
Prof. Martina de Zwaan, Chief Physician at the Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy at MHH.
After-Work Meeting: November 19, 2026, 5:30–7:00 PM, online
Registration: mentoring@mh-hannover.de
Becoming a Father – Being a Father – An Event for Active Fathers
November 9, 2026: 4:30–6:00 p.m. Registration
The two fatherhood officers, Prof. Dr. J. Dingemann and Dr. Christian Sturm, offer a platform for discussion on how fathers can balance their careers and personal lives. This can be followed by individual counseling on topics such as the division of parental leave within the family.
You can find additional events on the website Vaterherz.
The flyer “Bald Papa” was developed specifically for expectant fathers. A QR code provides specific details on dates, venues, and partner organizations for expectant fathers. The Institute for Boys’ and Men’s Work “mannigfaltig e.V.” in Hanover is a resource and counseling center for boys’ and men’s work, funded by the region and the city of Hanover as an independent organization. A general information flyer compiles various services, contact information, and dates for current events, particularly for fathers with children. Please register directly with “mannigfaltig e.V.” or with the MHH Parenting School.
You can find events, counseling services, and much more in the newsletter Fathers in Lower Saxony
Events for single mothers and fathers
Motherhood: The Transformation of Becoming a Mother Registration
May 12, 2026 – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – online – Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences and Braunschweig University of Technology
Why Equal Parental Leave Pays Off Financially Registration
May 19, 2026 – 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM – online – Clausthal University of Technology
Fatherhood Today – A Scientific Perspective on Traditions, Change, and Current Challenges for Fathers Registration
May 20, 2026 – 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM – online – Hanover University of Applied Sciences
Work/School and Family: Men, Relax! – Taking Time for Yourself and Planning Breaks Registration
June 9, 2026 – 3:00 – 4:30 PM – online – Leibniz University Hannover
The Invisible Burden: Everyday Life Between Responsibility, Stress, and Pressure to Perform Registration
June 15, 2026 – 10:00 – 11:30 AM – online – Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Date Change)
Racism in the Children’s Room Registration
June 16, 2026 – 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM – online – University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen and University Medical Center Göttingen
Freshly Separated—Now a Single Parent: Rights, Support, and New Perspectives Registration
June 17, 2026 – 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM – online – Technical University of Braunschweig
The Invisible Burden: Everyday Life Between Responsibility, Stress, and Pressure to Perform Registration
June 15, 2026 – 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM – online – Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts
Do Kids Eat Differently?
August 18, 2026 – 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM – online – Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg
“What Are You Actually Playing?” Understanding Dark Patterns and In-App Purchases by Children and Teens and Preventing Manipulation Registration
August 20, 2026 – 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – online – Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg
Caring for Family Members:
June 18, 2026 1:00–4:30 p.m. Registration
December 10, 2026 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Registration
An event for anyone who is (or wants to be) responsible for caring for family members and loved ones. This event provides information on the general conditions as well as the rights and obligations of employees and supervisors in the event that a family member requires urgent care. There will be an opportunity to ask your own questions.
Speakers: A. Wahl, Commercial Health Insurance, C. Heinrich, Human Resources, K. Bugow, Family Services
Registration option to follow
You can participate free of charge in digital meetings for family caregivers organized by “wirpflegen e.V.”.
famPLUS GmbH offers virtual events for family caregivers. Participation is free of charge and open to anyone interested upon registration.
Workshops for employees and students who (wish to) take on caregiving responsibilities for family members and loved ones. The workshops address topics relevant to supporting those in need of care.
August 25, 2026 12:30–4:30 p.m. Workshop for family caregivers
Last Aid Registration Event flyer
Feeling helpless is often part of the experience when it comes to supporting people who are dying. We will discuss basic ways to make a positive difference, simple actions, and the courage to maintain or establish contact with the dying and their loved ones.
End-of-life care is not a science; rather, it requires compassionate people who can be there. We aim to provide the basic knowledge needed and encourage participants to reach out to the dying. Because care and attention are what we all need most at the end of life. Further information about the course
November 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Workshop for family caregivers Registration
Supporting family members with dementia – Focus on living arrangements
When family members develop dementia, daily family life changes drastically, especially in advanced stages. This event will address questions about caring for those affected and highlight the limitations of home care. Special emphasis will be placed on the topic of “alternative living arrangements” and the search for a suitable care facility.
If you would like individual counseling or wish to be added to our mailing list, please send an email to familienservice@mh-hannover.de You are also welcome to send us topic suggestions for future workshops.
Work-Life Balance-Oriented Leadership - A Workshop for Managers
June 25, 2025: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM Registration at Führung
August 20, 2026: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM Registration at Führung
- What does it mean to lead with a focus on work-life balance?
- How do I discuss this topic with my employees?
- Which of the team members’ needs can be met, and where are the limits of what is possible?
- Which regulations form the legal basis for action?
Information Session on the Family LOM 360°
September 8, 2026: 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Financial support (up to 12,000.00 euros) for physicians and researchers is intended to facilitate their return to clinics and institutes and to advance their careers. Female physicians and scientists are eligible for funding if they return to the MHH within one year of their parental leave. Male physicians and scientists are eligible for funding if they care for their children as “active fathers” by taking at least six months of parental leave.
Registration or at familien-lom@mh-hannover.de
Workshop: Unconscious Bias Dates for 2026:
May 29, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Seminar Room 06 (I02-S0-1081)
August 28, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Seminar Room 06 (I02-S0-1081)
November 6, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Seminar Room PFZ (I10-S0-7050)
Registration available here.
Target audience: (future and current) members of appointment committees,
Facilitator: Anjana Pengel
Content:
- Raising participants’ awareness of gender relations
- How do my thought patterns influence my decisions (in the context of appointment procedures)?
- Critical reflection on one’s own gender role and the potential effects this may have on interaction and structures within organizations
- Participants should be able to incorporate the workshop’s findings and experiences into their own academic and professional work
- The trainers demonstrate the topicality and relevance of the topic
Objective: Raising awareness of the phenomenon of “unconscious bias” strengthens participants’ decision-making and leadership skills. They learn to reflect on their own behavior so that decisions can be made with fewer biases and thus more objectively and based on merit. In addition to theoretical knowledge, practical exercises are also conducted.
Trainer: Anjana Pengel, Equal Opportunities Office MHH
- What actually is discrimination?
- How do I notice that I am being discriminated against in everyday nursing work and what can I do about it?
- How can I prevent myself from discriminating against other people without wanting to?
We address these and other questions in the anti-discrimination workshop, which is aimed specifically at trainees in Nursing. In our workshop, trainees learn to recognize and name discrimination and harassment, get to know the MHH's support structures and learn how to defend themselves appropriately. Our training prepares trainees for the challenges they will face in practice and gives them the confidence to handle borderline situations independently.
Dates will be announced via the training academy.
All places for the Future Day on April 3, 2025 have already been allocated. You can find more information about Future Day at the MHH here.
Kids & Family sports courses at the Center for University Sports
The offers of the Kids and Family area are aimed at young families and parents within the university landscape. The offers can be booked by all MHH members.
Wen-Do courses offered by the Hannover Women's Emergency Hotline
Doing a doctorate with a child, combining science and parenthood