Gender Equality and Equal Opportunity at the University of Mannheim

The University of Mannheim considers the equality of women and men to be an important university policy goal. With this goal in mind, many responsible persons at the University of Mannheim actively work together. The focus is on the promotion of scientific careers for women as well as on the reconciliation of studies, scientific work and career with family responsibilities.

News

Fünf Studierende stehen mit dem Rücken zur Kamera und blicken gemeinsam über die Dächer Mannheims.

Credit: Alexander Münch

Perspectives Matter – Action Week on Diversity, Participation, and Equal Opportunity

From 19 to 22 October 2026, the Department of Equal Opportunity and Diversity and the Mannheim University Library invite the university community to discuss diversity, participation, and equal opportunity at the University of Mannheim—both online and on campus. Note: This text was translated from ...

Zwei Forschende stehen im Flur des Ostflügels und unterhalten sich lächelnd. Neben ihnen steht ein Kinderwagen.

Credit: Szekely, Oana

Apply now: FAiR@UMA – Support for women and FLINTA* researchers with significant family responsibilities

The University of Mannheim invites women and other FLINTA* researchers to apply for funding under the Professorinnenprogramm 2030. Applications are open until 8 May 2026. The FAiR@UMA (Family Assistance in Research) program supports women and other FLINTA* researchers with significant family ...

Drei Frauen sitzen an einem Tisch und unterhalten sich.

New Funding Program: “Equal Opportunity Initiatives”

With the new funding program “Initiatives in Equal Opportunity,” the Office of the Equal Opportunity Commissioners at the University of Mannheim now supports activities and projects by academic and non-academic staff that advance gender equality. Eligible are self-initiated projects that cannot be ...

Drei Personen sitzen am Tisch eines Seminarraums und unterhalten sich.

Launch of Campaign “Women in Research – Success Stories @UniMA”

On the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8 March, the university’s central equal opportunity commissioners—Professor Karin Hoisl and Christiane Koch—have launched the campaign “Women in Research – Success Stories @UniMA” on LinkedIn. The posts included focus on successful female researchers ...

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Zwei Frauen stehen im Hörsaal, eine beugt sich über einen Laptop, die andere erklärt etwas darauf.

Credit: Anna Logue

Information for Academic Staff Members

Enhance your scientific profile: with financing options, training programs, and personal advice. Families will find information on childcare and the Parent and Child Room, among other things.

Mann und Frau sitzen an einem Tisch und schauen gemeinsam in ein Heft, der Mann wird beraten.

Credit: Anna Logue

Information for Administrative Staff

We advise you on how to reconcile family and career. Here, you will find information on childcare, telework, caregiving, and the university’s equal opportunity commissioners.

vier Studierende reden auf dem Ehrenhof der Universität Mannheim.Zwei stehen und die anderen zwei sitzen.

Credit: Anna Logue

Information for Students

Get to know your options when things get too much, such as extending examination deadlines for students who have to care for children or sick relatives or taking advantage of childcare services and personal counseling.

Credit: Anna Logue

Information for the Equal Opportunity Commissioners of the Schools

The basics of successful work at a glance: In this section, you can find the proportion of male and female students in your school, a guide to equal opportunity in appointment procedures, and information on the budget designed to provide relief and flexibility for informal caregivers (Entlastungsbudget).

Events

19 Oct – 22 Oct 2026

Lecture series

Universität Mannheim (ExpLAB und Online)

Dr. Anna Adendorf, Dr. Izadora Silva Pimenta, Viktor Boecking (UB)

Perspectives Matter. Action Week for Diversity, Participation, and Equal Opportunities

Lecture series

Universität Mannheim (ExpLAB und Online)

Different perspectives shape how we conduct research, teach, learn, and work. From 19 to 22 October 2026, the University of Mannheim invites you to its action week for diversity, participation, and equal opportunities. 

19 Oct 2026

10:15 a.m. ‐ 11:45 a.m.

Workshop

ExpLAB

Organized by the diversity and anti-discrimination multipliers and moderated by Alexa Knapp and Dr. Regine Zeller

Writing with diversity in mind – Practical tips for more inclusive everyday communication – Perspect…

Workshop

ExpLAB

Whether in e-mails, academic publications, press releases, or presentations, the way we speak and write plays an important role in creating a respectful and inclusive environment. How can we communicate in ways that are…

19 Oct 2026

12:00 p.m. ‐ 3:15 p.m.

Information event

Online

Organized by Anti-Discrimination Officer Dr. Jens Augspurger in cooperation with the Gegenargument network

Gegenargument: Responding confidently to discriminatory statements – Perspectives Matter 2026

Information event

Online

How can we contribute to a university and workplace culture that provides equal opportunities and is based on mutual respect? In this interactive workshop, participants will learn to better recognize discriminatory,…

20 Oct 2026

1:45 p.m. ‐ 3:15 p.m.

Information event

ExpLAB

Organized by the LGBTQIA+ Network and moderated by Dr. Elisabeth Klein and Dr. Nic Selzer

From biodiversity to neurodiversity – How we benefit when others think and behave a little different…

Information event

ExpLAB

What do bee colonies have to do with our everyday working lives? More than you might think: In some bee colonies, a small group of bees behave differently from the others—and it is precisely these bees that discover a…

20 Oct 2026

7:00 p.m. ‐ 9:00 p.m.

Talk

Popakademie Mannheim, Hafenstr. 33, 68159 Mannheim

Organized by the Department of Equal Opportunity and Diversity and Popakademie Mannheim

Popakademie Talk meets Diversity Days – Promoting democracy as a responsibility of the arts and high…

Talk

Popakademie Mannheim, Hafenstr. 33, 68159 Mannheim

As part of society, higher education institutions have not only an educational role but also a broader social responsibility. What role should the promotion of democratic values play in this context? As part of the…

21 Oct 2026

10:15 a.m. ‐ 11:15 a.m.

Information event

ExpLAB and Zoom (hybrid)

Organized by the representative for employees with a severe disability and the commissioner and counselor for students with a disability or a chronic illness, and moderated by Meike Funkhauser and Caterina Katzer

(Severe) disability?! Questions and facts – Perspectives Matter 2026

Information event

ExpLAB and Zoom (hybrid)

What does “(severe) disability” actually mean? Who is legally considered to have a disability or a severe disability? What support and advisory services does the University of Mannheim offer employees and students?

22 Oct 2026

12:45 p.m. ‐ 3:15 p.m.

Conference

ExpLAB

Organized by the Department of Equal Opportunity and Diversity and moderated by Dr. Anna Adendorf and Dr. Izadora Silva Pimenta

Perspectives in Research. Panel discussion and poster session on current diversity and gender resear…

Conference

ExpLAB

Diversity and gender research thrives on a diversity of perspectives. Our panel discussion, followed by a poster session, provides a space for interdisciplinary exchange, networking, and sharing the wide range of…