Diversity at the KU

Our understanding of diversity

For the KU, diversity means consciously recognizing, valuing, and structurally incorporating the diversity of people at the University. This includes dimensions such as gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social and cultural background, nationality, religion or worldview, age, disability, and chronic illness, as well as family responsibilities and diverse educational and life experiences.

• KU Mission Statement

As a values-oriented University, the KU pursues the goal of strengthening socially and culturally equitable conditions for access and participation. It views diversity as a cross-cutting task that equally affects research, teaching practice, knowledge transfer, human resource development, the University administration, and university decision-making processes. Diversity is anchored in the KU’s core areas of activity. In its Development Plan, the KU commits to achieving gender equality in all institutions and decision-making processes, to protecting and further developing social and cultural diversity as a valued good, and to strengthening family-friendliness and inclusion as essential components of an open university.

• KU Development Plan
• Person responsible within the University Management: Prof. Dr. Klaus Stüwe, Vice President for International Affairs and Profile Development

Gender equality

Achieving gender equality is a central goal of the KU. In recent years, the University has developed various strategic and structural measures to this end, including a gender equality strategy, its implementation in the context of the Women Professors Program, and a Gender Equality Plan.

The KU aims to ensure the representation of women at all levels of academic qualification in the long term, particularly in fields where women have historically been underrepresented. This includes supporting female early-career researchers, offering mentoring and coaching programs, and implementing measures to ensure gender-equitable hiring practices and to raise awareness among leadership.

At the KU, equal opportunity is viewed as a shared responsibility supported by the equal opportunity officers, the faculties, the academic support services, the Student Representative Council, and the University Management.

• Further information: Equal opportunities at the KU
• Funding opportunities for female researchers
• Contact person: Prof. Dr. Kathrin Schlemmer, Equal Opportunity Officer

Family friendliness

For the KU, family-friendliness is an important component of an open and equitable University. It is committed to helping students balance their studies, academic work, careers, and family life, and is continuously expanding its support services for students and employees with family responsibilities. These include counseling services, a family-friendly campus infrastructure, programs for the children of University members, and measures that promote flexible study and working conditions. Greater attention is also being paid to the needs of students and employees with caregiving responsibilities. The KU aims to create conditions that take into account different life stages and family situations and enable good participation in academic and professional life.

• More information: Family friendly KU
• Contact person: Dr. Veronika Hecht, Center for Marriage and Family in Society

Inclusion and Accessibility

For the KU, inclusion means breaking down barriers and creating conditions of equal opportunity for students and employees with disabilities or chronic illnesses. The University sees inclusion as a cross-cutting priority that must be embedded in its structures, processes, and forms of communication. The goal is to offer support on many levels, facilitate individually appropriate accommodations, and promote self-determined participation in academic and professional life. This also includes raising awareness, providing more accessible services, and establishing clear points of contact. The KU aims to further improve working conditions and opportunities for professional development for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses and to give greater consideration to their perspectives in organizational development.

• Information for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses
• Contact person: Kerstin Ollmert, Inclusion officer
• Officer for students with disabilities, chronic illnesses or impairments: Dr. Anna Fiona Weiß

Respectful interaction / Anti-discrimination

Treating one another with respect and appreciation is the foundation of community life and collaboration at the KU. The University clearly opposes discrimination, unfair treatment, and sexual harassment, and is committed to fostering an environment characterized by mutual respect, openness, and responsibility. Diversity efforts at the KU therefore always involve taking discrimination seriously, addressing it, and providing appropriate support and counseling services.

• Information on prevention measures and conflict management
• Contact person: Dr. Jennifer Dobschenzki, Prevention and Conflict Management Officer
• Antisemitism Officer: Prof. Dr. Rico Behrens