1. Dagmar Schipanski: A Life in Academia and Politics
2. Academic Career
3. Scientific Leadership
4. Entry into Politics
5. Parliamentary Service
6. Public Engagements
7. Personal Life

Dagmar Schipanski: A Life in Academia and Politics

Early Life and Education

Dagmar Schipanski was born in Germany in 1943. Her journey into the world of science began with her enrollment in the Technical University of Magdeburg in 1962, where she pursued applied physics. In 1967, she graduated as a certified engineer.

Academic Career

For the next 18 years, Schipanski held various positions at the Technical University of Ilmenau, starting as an assistant in 1967 and rising to senior assistant. She earned her doctorate in solid-state electronics in 1976. In 1985, she was appointed associate professor, and in 1990, she became a full professor at Ilmenau.

From 1989 to 1993, Schipanski served as the Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the university. Her tenure as the University's Rector began in 1995 and lasted until 1996.

Scientific Leadership

Beyond her academic responsibilities, Schipanski played a significant role in German scientific research. From 1996 to 1998, she chaired the Science Council of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Entry into Politics

In 1999, despite having no prior political affiliation, Schipanski was nominated as the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) candidate for the office of Federal President. Though she did not win the election, her entry into politics marked a new chapter in her life.

In the same year, she joined the CDU and became Minister of Science, Research, and the Arts for the state of Thuringia, serving from 1999 to 2004.

Parliamentary Service

In 2004, Schipanski was elected to the Thuringian Parliament, where she held the position of Parliamentary Secretary until 2009. During that period, she was also a member of the national CDU executive board.

Public Engagements

Throughout her career, Schipanski actively engaged with diverse organizations and initiatives. She has served on the board of German public broadcaster MDR since 1998 and has been a member of UNESCO's World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology.

Schipanski has also dedicated herself to the fight against cancer, having been the President of the German Cancer Aid from 2000 to 2009 and currently serving as its Honorary President.

Personal Life

Dagmar Schipanski is a Protestant and has been married with three children. Her son, Tankred Schipanski, is a member of the German Bundestag since 2009.

Politics