At TUM Diversity Day 2026, our university was all about diversity, appreciation, and commitment. With the presentation of two awards, we highlighted how diversity is put into practice in both leadership and research.
Tina Heun-Rattei / TUM TUM Lead with Care Award: Honoring exemplary leadership
With the TUM Lead with Care Award 2026, TUM recognizes leaders who actively contribute to reconciling professional and family life - a crucial factor in attracting and retaining excellent talent. The awardees set an example for an appreciative workplace culture.
This year's awardees are:
- Dr. Astrid Bauer (Head of the Campus Office Weihenstephan, TUM School of Life Sciences)
- Prof. Dr. Lars Mägdefessel (Professorship of Molecular Vascular Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health)
- Prof. Dr. Doris Holzberger (Professorship of Psychology of Teaching and Learning, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology)
Congratulations on this award!
The prize is awarded by the TUM Family Service and is endowed with 1,000 euros each.
Tina Heun-Rattei / TUM TUM Diversity Research Prize: Gender and Diversity Issues in Research
Research thrives on a diversity of perspectives - this is exactly where the TUM Diversity Research Prize 2026 comes in. It recognizes outstanding theses that address gender and diversity aspects or open up new perspectives.
At the fully packed Vorhoelzer Forum, the awardees presented their work and impressively demonstrated how relevant and innovative diversity research is.
The 2026 awardees:
Bachelor's thesis:
Andrew Ibrahim: "A mixed methods approach to perceived mobility injustice in Blumenau, Munich with a focus on people with a migration background"
(Supervised by: Sindi Haxhija, Professorship of Networked Transport Systems)
Master's thesis:
Viola Nuener: "Male Allyship for Female Entrepreneurs: Exploring the role of male allies in promoting gender equality in entrepreneurship"
(Supervised by: Prof. Hana Milanov)
Doctoral thesis
Dr. Alice Beazer: "Solidarity in and through Journalism: An Exploration of Minoritized Group Coverage and Journalists' Roles"
(Supervised by: Prof. Stefanie Walter)
This prize is also endowed with 1,000 euros for each category and is awarded by the Staff Unit Diversity & Inclusion. It highlights how diverse perspectives enrich research and the impulses they provide for society and academia.
