Diekmann studied law and political science in Nancy, Heidelberg, and Frankfurt am Main. Her academic journey continued as a research associate at the Institute for Social Research and later at the Chair of Labor Law at Goethe University Frankfurt, where she also earned her doctorate. Following her legal clerkship at the Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main, she gained hands-on experience as an editor at Verfassungsblog and as a policy advisor at the German Institute for Human Rights.
What aspect of your research fascinates you the most?
I’m particularly interested in how the law responds to social inequality – how it addresses, downplays, mitigates, or even reinforces it. My main focus is on the topic of work: What role does work play in society? How is it regulated in detail? Who gains recognition through their work, and who is assigned the less prestigious or more burdensome tasks? What power structures shape the workplace – and what do these mean for those working within them? What happens to employees who can not or can no longer work and what legal and normative assumptions underlie these systems? Legal research allows for both abstract reflection and concrete work with norms and cases. I find it exciting when it is possible to bring the two together.
What does good teaching mean to you?
Good teaching should encourage students to think and discover their own interests. When teaching law, I focus on helping students build a foundational understanding, learn how to research effectively, and develop confidence in navigating legal norms and institutions. Good teaching offers multiple pathways into the subject and considers the diverse needs of learners – even if this is easier said than done.
What did you want to be growing up?
As a child, I had no shortage of career dreams – from waste collector and subway driver to owning a farm. I also imagined myself as an FBI agent or an actress.
How do you find balance outside of work?
In these times of blurred work boundaries and growing pressure, I don’t always find it easy – and I don’t always get it right. But I try creating a balance by spending time with family and friends, staying active, getting enough sleep, and allowing myself time to simply do nothing.