The Cascade Model
"The cascade model is based on the idea that target values at each career level should be based on the actual values of the career level below." - DFG 2017, p.15
The cascade model resulted from the problem of the "leaky pipeline", according to which the proportion of women decreases with each subsequent status passage. Especially after completion of the doctorate, this imbalance mostly occurs in an intensified form (cf. DFG 2017, p.21). In the cascade model, the proportion of women at each career stage is set in relation to the previous stage as an absolute value in order to make the changes between the passages more comparable. The model is used to define and implement realistic targets regarding the proportion of women.
Anchoring in the General Equal Opportunity Concept of the OVGU
At Otto von Guericke University, the use of the cascade model in filling positions is anchored in the General Equality Concept. In addition, the university strives to achieve gender parity in the composition of its committees. This is intended to increase the co-determination of women and their career opportunities. In addition, women in leadership positions act as role models for other aspiring female scientists (cf. AGK 2018, p.15).
Source:
AGK - General Equality Concept (2018).
DFG - German Research Foundation (2017): The DFG's Research-Oriented Gender Equality Standards. Implementation and modes of action.