Diversity at Bielefeld University
Diversity work area
A positive attitude towards diversity is a hallmark of Bielefeld University: it aims to honour the diversity of the people who work, study, teach and research here and to promote their different skills, talents and competencies. Diversity, heterogeneity and difference are the foundation of innovative research at Bielefeld University and the basis of academic life.
On our pages, we would like to direct you to suitable internal and external (counselling) offices, offer practical support to those affected and interested, raise awareness of key issues and jointly contribute to the removal of structural barriers at the university.
Contact persons, contact points and networks
Counselling and support at Bielefeld University
Bielefeld University offers a wide range of diversity-related counselling and contact points at various levels.
Advice and support at Bielefeld UniversityExternal contact points and facilities
External diversity-related services and advice centres in the city of Bielefeld and nationwide.
External contact points and facilitiesMember of the Bielefeld network of racism-critical work
The "Bielefeld Network for Work Critical of Racism" was founded in 2011 and is committed to a Bielefeld that is critical of racism and discrimination at various levels.
Initiatives and programmes
Sensitisation
- Diversity-sensitive onboarding
- Groups and events organised by the Central Student Counselling Service
- Personnel development programme for researchers and teaching staff (PEP)
- SKILLS for your studies
- Events organised by the Barrier-free Central Contact Point
- Events organised by the AStA [Student Union] of Bielefeld University
.jpg)
.jpg)
Principles, goals and strategies
Diversity Policy
The aim of Bielefeld University's diversity policy is to justify the institution's positive attitude towards diversity and to create a basis for dealing with diversity within the organisation.
Diversity action plan
"The university recognises and promotes the diversity of all members of the university with their different abilities, talents and skills. It breaks down barriers and is committed to the active and equal participation of all university members."
The "Diversity Action Plan for a Diversity-Sensitive and Barrier-Free Bielefeld University", or Diversity Action Plan for short, is based on this maxim. In connection with the Diversity Policy, it serves to develop and realise a diversity strategy adapted to Bielefeld University.
Vice-Rectorate International Affairs, Science and Society
Bielefeld University strives to continuously develop as a national and international location for students, researchers, teaching staff and administration. The activities in the responsible cross-cutting topics of internationalisation, equality, diversity, inclusion, sustainability, health and the compatibility of appointments/studies and family/care responsibilities are geared towards this goal of holistic location development and make an important contribution to this.
Policy against sexualised harassment, discrimination and violence
In its policy against sexualised harassment, discrimination and violence, Bielefeld University formulated the clear prohibition of sexualised discrimination and violence within the university and in non-university business dealings at an early stage. The policy emphasises the value of trusting cooperation and the clear responsibility of the university: it has a duty to prevent abuse of power and to protect its employees and students from sexualised discrimination and violence in the best possible way.
Reports and successes
- Diversity action plan
The action plan was developed in 2020 as part of the "Shaping Diversity" diversity audit by the representative body for severely disabled employees and has been continued for seven years since then. The focal points of inclusion and prevention in studies and teaching are also anchored in the implementation concept of the "Zukunftsvertrag Studium und Lehre stärken (ZSL)" (Future Contract for Strengthening Studies and Teaching).
- The diversity audit
In 2018, the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft [Donors' Association for the Promotion of Science and the Humanities in Germany] opened the "Shaping Diversity" diversity audit 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, study programmes, administration and technology will work on selected key topics for promoting diversity at our university.
The Diversity Audit is a development tool for universities that want to further develop their diversity work and diversity strategy with external process support and strengthen DEIB at their universities as a whole. It combines elements of organisational development with peer learning and external support.
- Diversity right from the start: Diversity-sensitive onboarding
With the "Diversity from the start" project, elements to strengthen diversity and raise awareness of discrimination were integrated into welcome and orientation events for all new students and employees in 2024 and a positive approach to diversity issues (such as ideas of diversity or discrimination) was encouraged. The moment of "arriving" at the university is a particularly good time to experience an open culture that encourages observation and reflection. The HRK's Diversity at German Universities initiative is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The project is part of the initiative.