Gesine Spiess

Gesine Spieß (1945–2016) was a German educationalist at the University of Applied Sciences in Erfurt (Fachhochschule Erfurt) where she specialized in gender studies. In 1988, she became the first women's representative in Düsseldorf where she developed a women's advancement plan for the city. She is also remembered as an expert in women in management and in policies for advancing gender equality.

Biography Born in Glöwen in the municipality of Plattenburg on 10 January 1945, Gesine Spieß studied educational science at the University of Düsseldorf. She earned her doctorate in 1982 under the cognitive psychologist Gudula List. Spieß taught at the University of Düsseldorf and was a research assistant with the German Research Foundation. In 1994, she was appointed professor at the Erfurt University of Applied Sciences where she specialized in gender studies. Following her retirement in 2011, she lectured widely on topics addressing gender, including gender in politics.

In 2000, promoting gender equality, Spieß prepared an extensive report on Frauen in Führungspositionen (Women in Management) for the Association of German Cities.

Gesine Spieß died in Düsseldorf on 4 December 2016.