Professor of Early Modern European History, Karin Friedrich, has been part of the University of Aberdeen for more than two decades.
Joining from the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at UCL initially as a senior lecturer and later being promoted to professor, her research explores the early modern borderlands between the German states and Poland - a region she describes as marked by ‘great ethnic and cultural variety’ and ‘still too little known to a West European perspective’.
For International Women’s Day, she reflects on the importance of mentorship, confidence, and collective support for women in academia. Her advice to women entering or progressing in the field is clear: “Seek out a mentor who means well and supports you.” She encourages colleagues to plan their research time carefully, avoid being “sidetracked too much by too many projects,” and to remain open to international collaboration and service to the discipline. Above all, she believes women should “lead by good example and be courageous.”
Supporting the next generation is central to her approach. She emphasises the value of balancing ambition with generosity, saying: “Strike a good balance between ambition and generosity towards others, be confident and have courage to speak up and speak out.” She also reminds early career researchers not to be discouraged by setbacks: “Do not lose heart if you do not succeed the first time, but try again.”
She also highlights how collaboration with other women can be useful for knowledge exchange, not just on research but on how women are being treated within the institution or peer group to which they belong. “Help each other and speak out when you see discriminatory or bullying behaviour,” she says, adding that “still too often those who should listen to women’s difficulties close ranks.” She advocates for persistent, transparent measures to equalise pay and career opportunities.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, resonates deeply with her professional ethos. She explains that to her it means extending support to the next generation of colleagues, be it postdocs or other early career researchers. As School Director of Research, she actively shares information on funding and career development, encourages applications, organises workshops, and offers mentoring when asked. Her goal is to foster ‘a good working atmosphere, where there is honest and open discussion’.