© Universität Bielefeld
Diversity at Bielefeld University
A positive attitude towards diversity is a hallmark of Bielefeld University: it pursues the goal of appreciating the diversity of the people who work, study, teach and research here and of promoting their different skills, talents and competences. Diversity, heterogeneity and difference represent the foundation of innovative research at Bielefeld University and are the basis of academic life.
Latest news
At the moment, increased efforts are being made to sustainably improve the situation of TIN* persons on campus. This includes adapting staff and student organisation processes to existing needs, measures to inform and raise awareness in the teaching and working context, and promoting a cultural change in which all identities have equal rights and are protected from discrimination and violence.
A comprehensive glossary of terms on the context of gender diversity, LGBTIQ can be found on the pages of the German Federal Agency for Civic Education (Bundeszentrale für Politische Bildung).
A note for staff
Here you will find a description of your current options for changing your name and title in the PEVZ. Headline: "Change of name in PEVZ"
Diversity right from the start: Diversity-sensitive onboarding
The "Diversity from the start" project integrates elements to strengthen diversity and raise awareness of discrimination into welcome and orientation events for all new students and employees and encourages a positive approach to diversity issues (such as ideas of diversity or discrimination). The moment of "arriving" at the university is a particularly good time to experience an open culture that sponsors observation and reflection.
The project is sponsored by the German Rectors' Conference as part of the "Diversity at German universities" initiative.
Nationwide counselling service Scicomm support
Scicomm-Support supports and advises scientists and science communicators in the event of attacks and unobjective conflicts in science communication.
Here you can find out more about the joint offer of the Federal Association of University Communication and Wissenschaft im Dialog.
Telephone: 0157 923 448 04, available from 7:00 - 22:00, 365 days a year
"HRK initiative "Diversity at German universities" promotes diversity projects and we are part of it".
- Bielefeld University receives funding
© Bielefeld University With funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) is supporting universities nationwide in the further development of holistic diversity concepts as part of the "Diversity at German Universities" initiative. After an independent review process, a total of 33 universities were selected to receive funding of 25,000 or 50,000 euros in the coming Winter semester to implement institutional diversity projects. The projects include innovative event formats, new approaches to monitoring and creative information campaigns.
"The initiative enables us to provide universities with targeted support in implementing tailor-made diversity measures," explained Prof. Dr. Walter Rosenthal, President of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK). "The great interest in the call for proposals shows that the universities are very aware of the importance of the topic of diversity and want to integrate it constructively into their own development processes. Only by addressing diversity in a holistic manner and at all levels of higher education can effective measures against structural discrimination and for a diversity-promoting and appreciative university culture be established," said Rosenthal.
The Federal Minister of Education and Research, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, explained:
"The diversity of people at our universities is a strength and an opportunity. They enrich Germany as a higher education location through their different perspectives and experiences. Science, research and teaching can only benefit from this. It is our goal to make diversity more visible and to reduce or even prevent discrimination. The initiative 'Diversity at German Universities' makes an important contribution to this. I am pleased that it will be put into practice at 33 universities this Winter semester."Background
On 1 September 2022, the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) launched the "Diversity at German Universities" initiative, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The aim of the project is to support German universities in the further development of holistic diversity concepts. By funding university projects and cross-project dialogue and exchange, the diversity of universities is to be further advanced at the national level. For the funding of individual diversity projects, HRK member universities were invited to submit concepts that contribute to the goals of the initiative. 33 universities have now been selected for funding.
An interactive map provides an overview of the funded projects.
Diversity Plan
„The university appreciates and promotes the diversity of all university members with their different abilities, talents and competencies. It breaks down barriers and is committed to the active and equal participation of all university members..“
This is the maxim behind the "Diversity Plan for a Diversity-Sensitive and Barrier-Free Bielefeld University", or Diversity Plan for short. In connection with the Diversity Policy, it serves the development and realization of a diversity strategy adapted to Bielefeld University.
Read more.
Contact
Pia Ortwein
E-mail: diversitaet@uni-bielefeld.de
Contact in case of experience of discrimination
You can reach Heidrun Kuhnt from the Counselling Centre for Staff and Managers via the following email address. Students and employees can make use of the counselling service confidentially and anonymously: diskriminierungserfahrungen@uni-bielefeld.de
Diversity Policy
Bielefeld University's Diversity Policy aims to establish the institution's positive attitude towards diversity and to provide a basis for action in dealing with diversity within the organization.
The Diversity Audit
In 2018, the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e.V. (Donors' Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany) opened the Diversity Audit "Shaping Diversity" process for Bielefeld University. Over the next two years, the steering group for the diversity policy project and a steering committee set up specifically for the audit with university members from research and teaching, studies, and administration and technology will work on selected priority topics for the promotion of diversity at our university.
