About Us
We are WHATSUB. The network is coming to life through the effort and participation of our members. Our goal is to create a lively community of women researchers at Bonn University - a group that connects and supports. With regular networking events, exciting information, and valuable contacts, WHATSUB can keep growing. This is how we can become an important landing spot for women on all academic career paths.
The Gender Equality Office of Bonn University provides the administrative framework. The founder, Prof. Dr. Diana Imhoff, stands as the project's patron.
WHATSUB's Organizational Structure

Network History
Our patroness, Prof. Diana Imhof, created the project as the spokesperson. With the Gender Equality Office's financial support, the network was built as a databse to connect women researchers, academic projects, and goals. On the one hand, members can find professional exchange across faculty borders. On the other hand, the network offers opportunities to inform themselves and exchange opinions and insights on academic careers and obstacles for women.
The Kick-off event on October 4, 2022 marked the official beginning of WHATSUB. The situation for women researchers in university and academia was a centerpiece to promote the network's upsights. Speeches were given by the former Gender Equality Officer Sandra Hanke and Prof. Imhof amongst others. Further meetings and events followed, for example with Prof. Gärditz in the spring of 2023.
Since then, WHATSUP has been expanding and created events, bringing together women researchers of the university, for example in February 2025. Titled "Empowering Equality: A Workshop for Women Scientists to Address Discrimination in Academia", a panel discussion took place with the Gender Equality Officer Gabriele Alonso-Rodriguez, the therapist Dr- Maria Steffens and the dean of the Faculty of Protestant Theology, Prof. Dr. Hermut Löhr. The event was moderated by Dr. Nora Castle, supervisor of the Gender Equality Office's mentoring programme METRA.
Autumn of 2025 marks an upgrade of the network and its website. WHATSUB aims to become more visible and present going forward.
Objectives and Benefits
Working deliberately to heighten the visibility and recognition of women in schience and academia, reducing the gender gap. Acting as an inter-networked collective to streghten our voices in the academic-scientific community.
Networking with other women researchers from different faculties, benefitting from the sharing of experiences and perspectives.
Supporing the finding of solutions which we can implement together.
Identifying collaboration partners for interdisciplinary projects, thereby advancing research. Sharing the challenges in our personal and professional lives and creating community as women in science and academia.
Holding workshops, lectures and networking meetups designed specifically for the needs of women in science and academia.
Contact
Max Wolfsperger M.A.
Freya Peez