Patricia Boya
Professor
PER 02 - 1.412
+41 26 300 8513
Visionary female professors from different disciplines came together to establish the Women Professors Network at the University of Fribourg. United by a shared recognition for the need for connection, collaboration, and advocacy, they created a platform to build a supportive community for women in academia. The network seeks to empower women professors by fostering the exchange of ideas, building meaningful relationships, and driving innovation within an inclusive and intersectional environment.
We are committed to cultivating a thriving academic community by championing collaboration, mentorship, and visibility for women in academia. Together, we aim to address challenges, unlock potential, and create a more inclusive and intersectional university culture where women thrive as leaders, innovators, and mentors.
A university community where gender equality is the norm, where women professors are fully represented in leadership roles, and where their contributions to academia are celebrated and supported. Through collaboration and advocacy, we envision a culture of inclusion and innovation that benefits women professors and the entire academic community.
The board of directors consists of six people.
Patricia Boya is the president, and Sarah Progin-Theuerkauf the vice-president.
Professor
PER 02 - 1.412
+41 26 300 8513
Vice-Rector, Professor
BQC 11 - 2.729
+41 26 300 8128
Professor
PER 18 - B314
+41 26 300 9502
Professor
PER 21 - F329
+41 26 300 8396
Professor
PER 21 - F332
+41 26 300 8398
Professor
PER 09 - 2.106d
+41 26 300 8541
The network was founded by 14 women professors representing diverse disciplines at Unifr.
Selma Aybek | Anna Jazwinska |
Patricia Boya | Chantal Martin-Sölch |
Talitha Cooreman-Guittin | Sarah Progin-Theuerkauf |
Alke Fink | Barbara Rothen-Rutishauser |
Esther González Martínez |
Esther Schwarzenbach |
Regula Hänggli Fricker | Anne von Philipsborn |
Diana Ingenhoff | Joëlle Vuille |
Join the Women Professors Network at Unifr!
Are you interested in connecting with other women professors at the University of Fribourg? Are you interested in participating in activities and discussions that support women in academia?
The network is open to all women researchers at Unifr holding Full, Assistant, or SNSF Professor positions.
Joining is easy and free of charge! Complete the membership form. Together, we can cultivate a supportive and inspiring community.
If you have questions, please contact us at women-prof@unifr.ch
Date: November 28, 2025
When: 10.30-12.15, followed by a standing lunch
Place: Adolphe Merkle Auditorium
Program:
Networking Breakfast May 28th, Pavillon Vert Jardin Botanique
Enjoy a breakfast and games to get to know your colleagues!
Launch event on 10.03.2025
The launch event took place on March 10, 2025, in auditorium A140 PER 21.
16.00: first general assembly, open to all interested Unifr women professors.
17.00: public conference “Inclusive language: a storm in a tea cup or an answer to a real problem?” by Prof. tit. Pascal Gygax, winner of Marcel Benoist Prize 2024. The conference is open to all, but registration is required here.
Introduction:
18.00: Aperitif offered by the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Office.