Research Project 2024-2027 · Berlin · Duisburg-Essen

Building Bridges

Mentoring & empowerment for girls and FLINTA* of Colour

An interdisciplinary research project for educational equity

An interdisciplinary research and development project to empower girls and FLINTA* of Colour to participate in higher education and academic careers in the psychosocial field.

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Months project duration

Universities involved

10+

Network partners

About the project

"Building Bridges" is a 36-month interdisciplinary research and development project that aims to empower and mentor girls and FLINTA* of color from the 10th grade onwards. The project is being carried out by the Free University of Berlin, the SPI Foundation, and the University of Duisburg-Essen.

TP1

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Scientific coordination

The entire project is being scientifically monitored by the Free University of Berlin. Interviews and questionnaires are being used to assess experiences of discrimination, mental health, stressors, resources, and academic participation among school and university students. The MEP (Measure for Educational Progress) will be evaluated for feasibility and acceptance.

TP2

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Mentoring & Empowerment

Development of the Mentoring Empowerment Program (MEP), which supports BIPoC girls and FLINTA* from grade 10 onwards on their academic path into the psychosocial field. The MEP offers mentoring and workshops on empowerment, self-care, and other helpful information on the transition from school to university.

TP3

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Digital platform

Participatory development of a "living" digital platform for context-sensitive storytelling that enables audiovisual experience reports and promotes sustainable peer-to-peer exchange.

Project Building Bridges explained

Learn more about our interdisciplinary research project to support girls and FLINTA* of Colour in academic paths.

Project Team

Meet the people behind Building Bridges

Three partner institutions - one shared mission.

Universities & partners

FU Berlin · SPI Foundation · University of Duisburg-Essen

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Claudia Calvano

Verbundleitung und Leitung Teilprojekt 1

Freie Universität Berlin

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M.A. Celiana Kiefer

Teilprojektleitung von Teilprojekt 2 „Ment2Power" (Mentoringprogramm)

Stiftung SPI

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Prof. Dr. Hannes Rothe

Projektleitung Digitale Plattform (TP3), Lehrstuhlinhaber

Universität Duisburg-Essen

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Full team directory

Information Platform

Knowledge, resources & learning

A growing, living resource hub with multimodal content - text, video, infographics, and example stories - in accessible language in both German and English.

📖 Glossary - Key Terms

Tap a term for a short definition (EN + DE).

Full glossary →

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Story Creation Tool - TP3

A co-creative space for your story

Explore the digital storytelling tool: guided steps, privacy controls, and optional AI support - developed with and for the community.

Story tool

Create and share your story

A participatory space with optional AI support, built with the community.

Open Story Creation Tool

Project Partners

A strong alliance of universities & foundations

Network Coordination · TP1

Free University of Berlin

Project Management & Research

Overall coordination and scientific management under Prof. Dr. Claudia Calvano.

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MEP Development · TP2

SPI Foundation

Mentoring & Empowerment Program

Practice-oriented development of the MEP under MA Celiana Kiefer.

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Digital Platform · TP3

University of Duisburg-Essen

Digital Platform & Research

Participatory development of the digital storytelling platform under Prof. Dr. Hannes Rothe.

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Funded by

Training & Events

Workshops & program activities

The Building Bridges project offers programs and research activities to empower girls and FLINTA* of Colour in academic careers.

Full workshop schedule →

Next up

Networking & Exchange

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 · 6:00 PM · Online

Online introductions to mentors. Get to know our mentors and learn more about the mentoring program.

Workshop offerings

The next dates for workshops and events.

Networking & ExchangeFor participants

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 · 6:00 PM · Online

Online introductions to mentors

Individual MentoringFor participants

January – November 2026

Individual Mentoring

WorkshopFor participants

March 2026

Mentoring Workshop II – Johanna Eck

View all workshops →

Research activities

Scientific studies on barriers & resilience

Discrimination research

Discrimination & Barriers

Investigation of experiences of discrimination and barriers in the education sector.

Schoolgirls & studentsMixed methods

Resilience studies

Resilience & Resources

Research into protective factors and resilience resources in M*oC.

MEP participantsLongitudinal

Participatory evaluation

MEP program evaluation

Joint evaluation and further development of the MEP with all involved.

All involvedParticipatory

Project progress

Building Bridges runs for 36 months, from September 2024 to August 2027.

Sep 2024 – Aug 2025

Project launch & MEP development

Development of the mentoring program and first cohort.

Sep 2025 – Aug 2026

Full implementation & research

Full implementation of programs and intensive data collection.

Sep 2026 – Aug 2027

Evaluation & sustainability

Evaluation, dissemination, and sustainability strategy.

Become part of Building Bridges

Whether as a participant, mentor or cooperation partner - together we build bridges to a diverse and inclusive academic future. The project runs from September 2024 to August 2027.

👩‍🎓

For participants

Girls and FLINTA* of Colour from 10th grade onwards

→🌟

For mentors

Students and role models of Colour

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For partners

Schools, organizations and institutions

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CONTACT