Diversity Policy Structures at the University and Networking
Equal opportunities, compatibility of family and work, and diversity are embedded in the Presidential Board as executive tasks, with the Vice-President for Studies, Teaching and Equal Opportunities having policy-making power.
The orientation of equal opportunities and diversity policy is coordinated with the Board of Trustees and the Foundation Committee of the University and in particular with the Senate, which is supported by the Senate’s Committee for Gender Equality and Diversity. With the decision of the Senate on 11 May 2016, the scope of duties of the Senate Commission for Gender Equality was extended. Since then, the Senate Commission for Equality and Diversity (KfGD) has also been involved in diversity policy and work.
In 2014, the University of Göttingen set up a Diversity Steering Committee that discusses the orientation of the University's diversity policy and work in terms of fundamental guidelines and accompanies the further organisational development. With its work, the Committee contributes to promoting the implementation of diversity as a cross-cutting task and to increasing both the internal and external visibility of the university's diversity orientation. As a governing body, the committee also accompanies the implementation process of the diversity audit “Shaping Diversity”.
The Steering Committee is made up of representatives of various management levels (Presidential Board, Senate and Senate Committee for Gender Equality and Diversity, faculties, departments and staff units), central institutions, various status and interest groups, students and Student Services .
Coordination: Equal Opportunities and Diversity Unit, Dr Daniela Marx
In 2012, the University of Göttingen constituted the Diversity Network as a space for reflection, exchange and discussion for actors working on diversity projects and measures. In addition to the exchange on practical work, the aim of networking is to support the university in implementing the diversity strategy at the working level. Currently, the network is working primarily in individual working groups on projects initiated within the framework of the Diversity Audit.
It includes people from administration and research, students, advisors, teachers, scholars who deal with diversity in theory and/or practice.
Coordination: Equal Opportunities and Diversity Unit, Dr Daniela Marx
Working group "Gender-, family- and diversity-friendly study conditions".
With the signing of the Charter "Family in University Life" in 2014, the University of Göttingen set up the working group "Gender-, family- and diversity-friendly study conditions" in order to provide students with the best possible support for their access to and progress in their studies in accordance with their individual starting situation. Since autumn 2017, the working group has been a sub-project of the Diversity Audit. The overarching goal is the (further) development of differentiated options with flexible structures that enable all students to design their studies according to their individual requirements and needs. The working group on gender-, family- and diversity-oriented study conditions examines the framework conditions and possibilities for a corresponding flexibilisation of study conditions; it informs and sensitises the relevant actors and develops recommendations for their implementation. In addition to representatives of the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Unit, representatives of the faculties, the Department of Studies and Teaching and of the students have been involved in the working group.Coordination: Equal Opportunities and Diversity Unit, Renate Putschbach
The Diversity Research Institute, headed by Prof. Dr Andrea D. Bührmann, was founded in 2013. It deals with diversification processes and their consequences. A special focus lies on the level of the organisations. The Institute advises and supports the University of Göttingen in the implementation and further development of its research-oriented and research-based diversity strategy.
The University of Göttingen participates in the following nationwide diversity policy networks:
In the nationwide network "Diversity at Universities", employees of approx. 35 universities from all over Germany work together, who are entrusted with the operational and strategic implementation of diversity and anti-discrimination tasks at German universities. The network is a collegial forum for exchange and reflection and offers a space for joint strategy development and quality assurance, for example.
The "Network Gender and Diversity in Teaching" (website in German) is an autonomous network of people who work strategically and/or operationally in the field of gender and diversity in university teaching and who want to network among themselves and cooperate continuously. The network serves the exchange of information as well as content and strategic cooperation.
The commission "Queer Equal Opportunities Policy at Universities” (website in German), founded in 2017 as part of the Federal Conference of Women and Gender Equality Officers at Universities (bukof), develops strategies and measures for gender equality work that go beyond the binary, heteronormative gender model.