This Summer School is organized by the fe|male brain initiative at the University of Tübingen. It focuses on bridging the gender data gap in preclinical and clinical research, with an emphasis on mental health and neuroscience. The program offers a comprehensive framework for sex- and gender-sensitive research practices applicable across diverse scientific domains. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the Summer School "Bridging the Gender Data Gap in Mental Health: Summer School on Gender-Sensitive Clinical Research" will take place from September 22 to 26, 2025. It aims to equip young researchers with the skills to design experiments, collect and analyze data, and effectively interpret and communicate findings to address sex and gender disparities in neuroscience and mental health research.
About the Summer School
We will welcome approximately 30 early-career scientists to Tübingen for an intensive week-long program featuring seven educational modules. Applications are open to both European and non-European participants and should be submitted via the application form. Applicants ranging from Master’s students to post-doctoral researchers will be considered based on the quality of their applications, with attention given to their stage of training. To support those with limited funding, we aim to provide partial financial assistance through travel bursaries and/or accommodation support in Tübingen. Please indicate in your application if you have any exceptional circumstances.
If you have any questions, please use the contact form.
Please download and share the summer school flyer with interested colleagues and post it in your department.
Topics Covered
- Relevance of sex and gender as variables in basic science, animal models, and clinical research
- Designing and conducting studies that account for sex and gender differences in disease mechanisms and treatment outcomes
- Statistics & Statistical methodologies to reveal relevant sex and gender differences
- Analysis & interpretation of results to generate inclusive clinical insights leading to evidence-based clinical health guidelines
- Expectations and standards for reporting sex and gender as variables in peer-reviewed journals
- Communicating sex and gender-sensitive topics to the lay public and health professionals
- Policy Considerations & Funding of Sex and Gender-sensitive research
Faculty
Jan Born
University of Tübingen
frontend.sr-only_: Department of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology
Patrícia Preston Ferrer
University of Tübingen
frontend.sr-only_: Werner Reichardt Centrum für Integrative Neurowissenschaften (CIN)
Mhairi Stewart
Natural History Museum Berlin
frontend.sr-only_: Deputy Head of Public Engagement and Impact
Bernd Lenz
Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit ZI Mannheim
frontend.sr-only_: Addictive behavior and addiction medicine
Esther Kühn
Universität Tübingen
frontend.sr-only_: Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research (HIH) Tübingen
Birgit Derntl
University of Tübingen
frontend.sr-only_: General psychiatry and psychotherapy with outpatient clinic
Manfred Hallschmid
University of Tübingen
frontend.sr-only_:
Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology
Olaf Hiort
Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein
frontend.sr-only_: Hormone Center for Children and Adolescents
Kristina Herfert
Werner Siemens Imaging Center
frontend.sr-only_: Functional and Metabolic Brain Imaging
Jana Wendler
Museum of Natural History, Berlin
frontend.sr-only_: Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Research
Andrea Burgalossi
University of Tübingen
frontend.sr-only_: Werner Reichardt Centrum für Integrative Neurowissenschaften (CIN)
Franziska Weinmar
University of Tübingen
frontend.sr-only_: General psychiatry and psychotherapy with outpatient clinic
Patrick Klügel
University of Tübingen
frontend.sr-only_: Excellence Cluster - Public Engagement Manager
Carla Sanchís Segura
Universitat Jaume I
frontend.sr-only_: Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology
Application to attend
Funding
Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). BMBF 01GN2532 GAPSY :: Bridging the Gender Data Gap in Mental Health - Summer School
In association with
UKT
Uni Tübingen
Women's Mental Health Across the Reproductive Years
DFG
CIN