Central Equal Opportunity Commissioner
The central equal opportunity commissioners support the university’s objective of achieving gender equality and equal opportunity at all career stages in academia. This includes, among other things, strengthening the role of women in research, supporting female researchers in the early career stages as well as ensuring the reconciliation of work and family life.
Responsibilities
Section 4 of the act on higher education institutions in the Land of Baden-Württemberg (LHG) stipulates the tasks of the central equal opportunity commissioner. The central equal opportunity commissioners contribute to ensuring equal opportunities for women and men and help eliminate any disadvantages female researchers and students might face.
According to the Constitution of the University of Mannheim, the central equal opportunity commissioners are the chairs of the Senate Committee on Equal Opportunity.
If you have any questions regarding sexual harassment and discrimination, please visit the section Counseling.
Rights
The office of the central equal opportunity commissioners also implies a number of rights which are also defined by section 4 of the act on higher education institutions in the Land of Baden-Württemberg (LHG). These rights include the right to receive early and detailed information, the right to report directly to the President's Office and the fact that the central equal opportunity commissioners are not bound by instructions. The central equal opportunity commissioners are members of the Senate and other bodies and assumes an advisory function on the University Supervisory Board. In order for the central equal opportunity commissioners to perform their duties, the university provides the required personnel and material resources and allows for an adequate release from the professional duties arising from their main employment.
Rules and regulations
According to the act on higher education institutions in the Land of Baden-Württemberg (LHG), all higher education institutions in Baden-Württemberg must appoint a central equal opportunity commissioner. The LHG also defines her rights and responsibilities.
Funding
Funding Program: Equal Opportunity Initiatives * NEW *
At the University of Mannheim, committed staff members frequently develop self-initiated activities that often cannot be implemented because they do not fit into existing funding structures.
This is where the Equal Opportunity Initiatives funding program of the central equal opportunity commissioners comes in: it supports activities that contribute to achieving the University of Mannheim’s equal opportunity goals.
Empirical Evidence
Gender Equality – Facts and Figures
The appointment as a professor is the final step in a researcher’s academic career. At the same time, it is the level of qualification at which female researchers are most obviously underrepresented. With an update of the current guidelines for appointment (Intranet, only available in German) that is based on empirical data and includes equality-related topics, the University of Mannheim wants to increase the number of female professors at the university.
Gender-related research
Examples of Mannheim's gender research can be found in the list of selected publications (PDF).
You would like to write your thesis or dissertation on gender- and diversity-related issues or are conducting research in these areas? Feel free to contact us! We are happy to help you with any questions you might have.
Success Stories of Women at the Universität Mannheim
Campaign “Women in Research – Success Stories @UniMA”
At the University of Mannheim, there are numerous female researchers who make outstanding contributions to international science in various disciplines. The campaign “Women in Research – Success Stories @UniMA” on LinkedIn aims to shine a spotlight on these role models and encourage young female researchers in particular to further pursue their career paths. You are welcome to follow the campaign under the hashtags #WomenInResearch #UniMA and share these interviews.
- Success Story #1: Yasmin Kuhlmann (LinkedIn: 09.03.2026)
- Success Story #2: Daniela Zipperer (LinkedIn: 07.04.2026) * NEW *
Contact
Prof. Dr. Karin Hoisl
Equal Opportunity Commissioner
B 6, 30–32 – Room 023
68159 Mannheim
On appointment
Christiane Koch
Gleichstellungsbeauftragte
B 6, 30–32 – Room 023
68159 Mannheim
On appointment
Corinna Kröger (she/her)
Central Equal Opportunity Commissioner
B 6, 30–32 – Room 022
68159 Mannheim
Olivia Zito (she/her)
Central Equal Opportunity Commissioner
B 6, 30–32 – Room 019
68159 Mannheim