ReferentIn

Referentin is the feminine form of the German noun Referent and denotes two related uses. In public administration, a Referentin is a staff member responsible for a specific subject area within a Referat (department or division). Duties commonly include preparing policy analyses, writing memos, coordinating projects, and supporting decision-making. The title signals professional specialization rather than a fixed rank; career paths typically require university education in fields such as law, political science, public administration, or economics. The exact level varies by organization and country.

In event programs or academic settings, Referentin can also denote a female speaker or lecturer who presents a lecture or briefing. In this sense, the term is parallel to Referent (male) and is used to identify the presenter rather than a position within an organization.

Etymology: Referent comes from referieren "to report/to speak about" and is associated with the noun Referat, meaning a department or section; the feminine form is Referentin.

See also: Referent, Referat, Fachreferentin, Referatsleitung.