Press release
"Queens of Structure" exhibition comes to Potsdam
The travelling exhibition "Queens of Structure", co-initiated by FHP alumna Nicole Parlow, will open at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences on 2 October 2024. The exhibition is dedicated to outstanding female civil engineers who have realised impressive projects worldwide. It will highlight the often hidden work of women in civil engineering - a discipline that is still heavily dominated by men.
Pioneers and visionaries: Buildings such as the Brooklyn Bridge, the London skyscraper "The Shard" or the London Eye were decisively co-designed by women. However, these impressive achievements and their lasting significance are often unknown. The exhibition "Queens of Structure" presents 18 female civil engineers and their projects, which not only show the diversity of the fields of activity in civil engineering, but also the different approaches and challenges in this profession. These female protagonists inspire with their passion and show that women can act naturally in technical professions - and have been doing so for many decades.
Overcoming double invisibility
The exhibition addresses a double problem of invisibility: On the one hand, the contributions of women in civil engineering often go unnoticed; on the other hand, the importance of this profession as a whole is often underestimated. Historical female pioneers who made their way into the world of construction against much resistance are also brought into focus. "Queens of Structure" shows that women have always deserved a place in this industry - and have fought for it.
Panel discussion: "Visibility" in civil engineering
As part of the vernissage on 2 October at 6 pm at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences, there will be a panel discussion in which experts from the field of civil engineering will talk about visibility and challenges in the industry. Nicole Parlow (co-initiator of the exhibition and structural engineer), Carol Peters (structural engineer/ M.Sc.), Jennifer Uka (consulting civil engineer) and Katarina Zlatic (Planner & Architect for Gender-Equal Urban Development) will discuss topics such as the role of women, inter*, non-binary, trans and agender people (FINTA) in civil engineering, collaboration between female architectsand civil engineersand the need for empowerment in the industry.
Exhibition freely accessible on campus
The "Queens of Structure" exhibition can be viewed on the campus of the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences after the opening until 13 November 2024. It offers the opportunity to learn about the ground-breaking achievements of female civil engineers and to take a new look at the structures that shape our world.
Vernissage: 2 October 2024, 6 pm
Organised and moderated by the student collective perspektiv;wechsel:
The collective consists of a group of students from the Bachelor's degree programme in Architecture and Urban Design at the Department of CITY | CONSTRUCTION | CULTURE at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences, which organises events by and for students.
The event is financed by the Student Equal Opportunities Fund of the Equal Opportunities Office.
Location: Foyer / Main Building, Potsdam University of Applied Sciences campus
Exhibition period: 2 October to 13 November 2024
Further information on the event: https://www.fh-potsdam.de/aktuelles-medien/termine/queens-structure
Further information on the student collective perspektiv;wechsel: https://www.fh-potsdam.de/forschung-transfer/projekte/studentisches-kollektiv-perspektivwechsel
