Gender Lectures Regensburg

On 30 June 2026 at 6 pm, Prof. Dr Andrea Reichenberger will give a lecture on "The gendered history of AI" in H3 (UR).

Abstract of the lecture: The history of artificial intelligence (AI) is usually told as a linear success story dominated by men - from the Dartmouth conference to today's Large Language Models (LLMs). This article breaks with this narrative. Using specific case studies, it examines the structural conditions that led to the marginalisation of women's contributions and gendered dynamics in the institutional and epistemic development of AI. Among other things, the analysis sheds light on the role of the RAND Corporation in the 1950s. It highlights the influence of actors such as Roberta Wohlstetter, whose analyses of nuclear deterrence shaped central ways of thinking in early AI models. In addition, the often invisibilised work of female programmers at IBM and in the SAGE system - working as "human computers" and coders - is critically acknowledged. Another focus is the gender-specific dimension of technical terminology. The example of cryptography is used to show how implicit role models are conveyed. In 1978, Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir and Leonard Adleman (RSA) introduced the personified placeholders "Alice" and "Bob" to explain cryptographic protocols and public key procedures more clearly. in combination with military-coded metaphors such as the "man-in-the-middle attack", these narratives still characterise the understanding of cyber security and AI strategies today. The presentation argues for a reassessment of AI history that analyses linguistic and social structures in order to contribute to a more inclusive understanding of the technological development of AI.

On 16.12.2025, 17:15 -18:45, Lea Susemichel (author, journalist, lecturer) spoke about "Feminist Solidarities".

Abstract of the lecture: "There is not one feminism, there are many feminisms and feminists, which entails differences and often dissonance. This has not only led to identity-political divisions in the history of women's movements, it is also currently making alliances more difficult, which we so urgently need in view of the enormous political backlash. How can solidarity be created despite the many feminist fault lines?
By recognising that it doesn't have to be common ground that motivates solidarity. On the contrary: feminist solidarity is often formed through conflict, it is an unconditional solidarity that also shows solidarity with people with whom we have no common history or ascribed identity. It is a "solidarity of struggle", not only in the sense of "solidarity against", which is united against inhumanity and inequality, but which also fights for more justice within its own ranks. Solidarity is always a reciprocal process of building new relationships that changes everyone involved - a profoundly transformative process."

The lecture was followed by a get-together with the guests and the speaker.

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On 14 July 2025, 4-6 p.m., PD Dr Gabriele Dietze, HU Berlin, spoke about Strongmen and Tradwives. Right-wing populist family and sexual politics. The lecture took place in H25 (Vielberth building).

The lecture resulted in an article for the UR-ScienceBlog: Tradwives und Strongmen - ScienceBlog Universität Regensburg(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, opens in a new window) (Author: Dr Tanja Wagensohn).

The lecture was followed by a get-together with the guests and the speaker.

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On 18.6.2024, 18:30-20:30, Prof. Dr Clarissa Rudolph, OTH Regensburg, spoke about "Re-traditionalisation, sexism and anti-feminism. Stocktaking from Germany and Europe". This lecture highlighted and systematised the increasing hostility towards women, LGBTQI+, gender equality activists and feminists. She addressed the problematic developments both in Germany and in Europe and discussed counter-strategies.

The lecture was followed by another well-attended get-together with all guests.

Here (external link, opens in a new window) (external link, opens in a new window) you can find the poster for the event.

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On 23.11.2023, 16:15, H6, Dr Dorothee Beck, Philipps-Universität Marburg, opened the lecture series "Gender Lectures Regensburg". In the context of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, she spoke on the topic of "Gender-based violence in politics - a feminist look at a little-researched problem".

The lecture focussed on the connection between violence and gender in the German Bundestag. In order to grasp this problem, Dr Beck used various concepts to analyse the tension between violence and gender-based inequality in everyday political life. Using various examples, she established a link to violence studies, anti-feminism and democracy theory and discussed intersectional entanglements of gender with other dimensions of inequality.

The well-attended lecture was followed by a get-together .

Here(external link, opens in a new window) (external link, opens in a new window) you can find the poster of the event.