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

10:15 a.m.–11:45 a.m., ExpLAB

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

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 sensitive to diversity and minimize discriminatory language? Which expressions should we avoid, and what are some examples of best practice? Drawing on the University of Mannheim’s recently published guidelines for gender- and diversity-sensitive communication, this workshop provides an overview of diversity-sensitive language. In practical exercises, we will take a close look at our own texts and put them to the test. If you like, bring along your own text samples (max. 1,000 words), challenging formulations, or questions you have encountered in this context. We will discuss your examples and develop concrete ideas for putting inclusive communication into practice.

Please register here to participate in the event.

The event will be held in German.

Noon–3:15 p.m., online

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

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, exclusionary, or anti-democratic statements and respond to them confidently.

Using practical examples from everyday university life, the workshop examines common rhetorical and discursive strategies and develops concrete ways of responding to them. Through discussion, reflection, and practical exercises, participants will strengthen their ability to respond effectively, take a clear stand for diversity and respect, and develop personal strategies for dealing constructively with challenging situations.

The workshop is aimed at anyone who wants to promote diversity and actively counter discrimination.

Please register here if you want to participate in the workshop. Registration is necessary to participate in the workshop. Capacity is limited to a maximum of 18 people.

The workshop will be held in German.

1:45 p.m.–3:15 p.m., ExpLAB

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

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 disproportionately large number of new food sources. Diversity helps populations survive. This workshop shows that neurodiversity can similarly benefit our teams and organizations.

Together with Dr. Nic Selzer and Dr. Elisabeth Klein, we will begin by looking at examples from nature before exploring what they can teach us about our everyday working lives. What forms of neurodiversity do we encounter—ADHD, autism, AuDHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and synesthesia—and what do they mean in practical terms for how we work together? In small groups, we will explore these different ways of thinking and being and consider: What strengths can they bring to our teams? What barriers arise in workplaces that tacitly assume there is a “normal” way of thinking? And how can we work together to remove these barriers?

Through interactive exercises, we will experience some of these perspectives and develop practical measures for our everyday working lives, ranging from small adjustments to structural changes. We will ask ourselves: What can each of us start doing tomorrow to ensure that different ways of thinking are not merely tolerated but recognized and valued as an asset?

The event will be held in German.

7:00 p.m.–9 p.m., Popakademie Mannheim, Hafenstr. 33, 68159 Mannheim

Organized by the Department of Equal Opportunity and Diversity and Popakademie 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 University of Mannheim’s Diversity Week and the Popakademie Talks, we will discuss this question from both higher education and artistic perspectives.

The event will be held in German. For further information please follow this link.

10:15 a.m.–11:15 a.m., hybrid: ExpLAB and Zoom

Organized and presented by the diversity and anti-discrimination multipliers, Caterina Katzer (commissioner and counselor for students with a disability or a chronic illness) and Meike Funkhauser (assistant to the representative for employees with a severe disability)

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? Accessibility at the university: What is working well, and where do barriers remain? What can we all do to enable greater participation? Caterina Katzer, commissioner and counselor for students with a disability or a chronic illness, and Meike Funkhauser, assistant to the representative for employees with a severe disability, will answer frequently asked questions about disability and severe disability. There will be plenty of time after the presentation for your own questions. We also welcome your feedback on the topic.

The event will be held in German.

12:15 p.m.–1:15 p.m., Zoom

Organized by the University Library and the Teaching and Learning Center (ZLL); moderated by Viktor Boecking, Tina Helbig, and Ellis Kolb

In this Lunch Lecture, we will explore the many dimensions of bias in artificial intelligence, looking at both its technical causes and its broader social and political context. We will examine how algorithms can produce biased outcomes and reinforce existing prejudices, as well as the potential impact on academic and administrative work. We will also introduce practical methods for mitigating bias when working with chatbots, for example through targeted prompting. The Lunch Lecture aims to provide a foundation for critically understanding bias in artificial intelligence and help you use AI in your work in a more ethically informed and reflective way.

The event will be held in German.

1:45 p.m.–3:15 p.m., ExpLAB

Organized by the diversity and anti-discrimination multipliers and the anti-discrimination office Mannheim

Moderated by Şüheda Erkuş

In this format, we explore the topic of discrimination and work together to examine the various levels at which discrimination can occur—from individual to structural dimensions. Through group work, participants analyze specific incidents from everyday university life and develop initial strategies for action.

The event will be held in German.

5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., Katakomben

Organized by Dr. Frank Degler, Project Coordinator Family Service
Moderated by Prof. Matthias Krause, Vice President for Digitalization, Equal Opportunity, and Diversity

With Nicolette Kressl, Prof. Dr. Sylvia Schraut, and Dr. Lukas Riedel

The Federal Act on Parental Allowance and Parental Leave (BEEG) is celebrating its 20th anniversary. As part of the action week for diversity, participation, and equal opportunities, the University of Mannheim’s Department of Equal Opportunity and Diversity invites you to a panel discussion featuring distinguished experts from politics, academia, and research. The discussion will take a comprehensive look at this milestone in German family policy. In addition to assessing its political and economic impact, the panel will place the legislation in its historical and social context, with a particular focus on changing perceptions of men’s roles and on reconciling family life, work and academic careers.

Nicolette Kressl (former President of the Karlsruhe Regional Council): As a member of the German Bundestag at the time, she played a key political role in shaping the legislation and will provide a first-hand account of how it came about.

Prof. Dr. Sylvia Schraut: An established expert in women’s and gender history, she will trace developments from the social structures of the former West Germany to the realities of today.

Dr. Lukas Riedel: An economist in the “Inequality and Public Policy” research group at the ZEW – Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research, he will contribute an economic perspective and discuss his current research on the incentive effects of family and fiscal policy.

The event will be held in German.

The panel discussion is part of the thematic series Männlichkeiten im Wandel – Eine Veranstaltungsreihe zu Rollenbildern, Kultur und Vereinbarkeit (Changing masculinities – A series on gender roles, culture, and work–family balance)

Further events:

• Fikri Anıl Altıntaş:  „Kritische Männlichkeit im digitalen Zeitalter – Zwischen Manosphere und Selbstreflexion” (Critical masculinity in the digital age – Between the manosphere and self-reflection). Talk and discussion
  Wednesday, 11 November 2026, 6:00 p.m. / PWC lecture hall (M 006), University of Mannheim
  In cooperation with the equal opportunity commissioner of the City of Mannheim
• Kritische Männlichkeiten (Critical masculinities) reading group. Moderated by Laura Volk and Frank Degler
  Friday, 6 November 2026, 6:00 p.m. / Room 030, B6, 30–32, University of Mannheim
  In cooperation with Alte Feuerwache Mannheim

12:45 p.m.–3:15 p.m., ExpLAB

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

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 research being conducted at the University of Mannheim.

During the panel discussion, researchers will present their current projects. 

Talks: 

• Title: tba 
  Prof. Zoë Greene, PhD, University of Strathclyde (Glasgow, Scotland) 
• Joint Taxation and Intra-Household Inequality: Evidence from Same-Sex Couples 
  Prof. Dr. Elena Herold, Department of Economics
• Can Large Language Models Represent Diverse Perspectives? 
  Dr. Indira Sen, Business School 

In the subsequent poster session, students and researchers will present their projects in an interactive format.

The event is open to anyone interested in gaining insights into current diversity and gender research and engaging in interdisciplinary exchange. We look forward to an inspiring exchange of ideas, perspectives, and experiences.

Please register here if you want to participate in the event.

The event will be held in German and English.