Jens Dingemann shares duties as paternity representative with Christian Sturm.
Contact persons for all fathers at MHH: PD Dr Sturm and Professor Dr Dingemann. Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH
MHH pursues a holistic equality strategy. This includes the principle that reconciling work and family life affects fathers just as much as mothers. That is why the university has had a paternity officer since 2020. Previously, Professor Dr Jens Dingemann held this position alone. But now the Director of the Department of Paediatric Surgery has a second man at his side. Since February of this year, he has been sharing the duties with PD Dr Christian Sturm, Head of Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine at the Clinic for Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine. The Fathers' Representatives jointly represent the interests of all fathers at MHH, regardless of whether they work or study in technology, administration, research or clinics. The paternity representatives are also fathers themselves. Professor Dingemann has three children, PD Dr Sturm has two.
Supporting opportunities for individual life planning
‘Our core task is to advise and support fathers in planning their careers, parental leave and returning to work,’ explains Professor Dingemann. Currently, it is still the mothers who do most of the family work - although many fathers would like to play a more active role in childcare and family life. ‘Equal rights should actually mean that all options are conceivable: the classic division of roles, both full-time, both part-time, but also the father managing the children and household with the woman pursuing a career,’ says PD Dr Sturm. The paternity representatives want to support these options for individual life planning and thus promote family friendliness at the university. After all, family friendliness is always a benefit for the employer and an advantage in the competition for skilled labour.
► If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, fathers are welcome to send an email to Vaeterbeauftragter@mh-hannover.de
Text: Tina Götting