With a Passion for more Equal Opportunities

09/16/2025

At the beginning of September, the Netzwerk Chancen presented the Social Diversity Awards in Berlin. One of the finalists was a scientist from the University of Würzburg.

Presentation of the Social Diversity Awards 2025 at the “Bar jeder Vernunft” in Berlin. The photo shows the three finalists with presenter Nina Warnecke (right). Jennifer Danquah is second from left. (Image: Jens Oellermann)

Jennifer Danquah has come a long way: Out of 35 nominees in the "Inspiration of the Year" category at the Social Diversity Awards 2025, she made it to the round of three finalists. She can get over the fact that it wasn't enough for first place in the end. Just taking part in the final was a great success for her. "I'm over the moon that I made it this far and would like to thank everyone who supported me and my topics with their vote," says the young scientist.

Danquah is a doctoral student at the Chair of Adult Education / Continuing Education at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU); her research focuses on the racism-sensitive design of educational institutions. Her most recent publication, for example, focuses on adult education centres. Danquah has analysed how these public institutions can support education for all and contribute to reducing discrimination in society as a whole.

With the Social Diversity Awards, the "Netzwerk Chancen" recognises employers, managers and mentors who are "passionately committed to strengthening social diversity in the world of work and thus to more equal opportunities", according to a press release from the network. The network also wants to "focus on life stories and recognise social climbers who inspire and empower others through their courage". Individuals, organisations and employers who "actively promote social diversity and break down barriers that people face in working life due to their social background" will be honoured.

Jennifer Danquah: Commitment to Social Justice

Jennifer Danquah wants to inspire through her own career and her commitment to social justice. In the media, she communicates her research to the public and provides information about diversity-critical and, in particular, racism-critical action. On social platforms, she also takes her followers on her academic journey and acts as a role model - especially for those affected by social injustice.

Jennifer Danquah is also in direct dialogue with socially disadvantaged people via ApplicAid. She has been supporting young people with their scholarship applications for many years. "I know from my own experience how important support networks are, especially for scholarship applications. That's why I'm involved as a mentor and am happy to pass on my knowledge of scholarships to peers from socially disadvantaged groups," explains Danquah. The academic was herself supported by scholarships during her studies and is also currently in the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's doctoral programme.

Jennifer Danquah is also a scientific advisor and has been appointed to expert committees as an education expert. She makes her research findings available in interviews, appears as a speaker and trainer in the field of diversity-critical educational work and supports companies and social institutions with keynotes and training sessions to make their organisational structures more inclusive. "Organisations are important decision-makers in our society. It is very important to me to help shape their social impact," explains the scientist. Her motivation for her commitment and her research is primarily characterised by working together towards a fairer future, because "this change can only happen collectively," Danquah emphasises.

About Netzwerk Chancen

Netzwerk Chancen is committed to equal opportunities throughout Germany. To this end, the initiative offers over 3,500 talented individuals from financially disadvantaged or non-academic families idealistic support for their professional and social advancement. The initiative is also committed to ensuring that social background is recognised and practised as a dimension of diversity. At the same time, Netzwerk Chancen cooperates with potential employers and works with politicians and civil society to develop practical solutions so that young people's futures are no longer dependent on their social background. Netzwerk Chancen was founded in 2016 by Natalya Nepomnyashcha in Berlin and is non-profit and non-partisan.