Diversity Audit
Credit: Max Bachmeier
Since last December, the University of Mannheim has been taking part in the diversity audit process offered by the non-profit association Stifterverband, the German business community's innovation agency for the country’s research system. In the context of this “Shaping Diversity” audit, the university and its members are seeking approaches to (further) develop and deliver a specific diversity strategy.
Two weeks after the kick-off meeting on 23 June 2022, a one-day event took place to consider strategies and actions, identify blind spots, and formulate actions in a bottom-up approach in workshops attended by students, staff, and representatives of the President's Office. Participants developed actions in the areas of structure and strategy, human resources development, communication, and teaching and learning. The goal of the two-year audit process is to develop a robust diversity strategy for the University of Mannheim that also includes specific actions. Developing guidelines for gender-fair language, for instance, could be conceivable in this context.
Text: Luisa Gebhardt / October 2022
All members of the university are welcome to participate in the two-year process at any point and to contribute to shaping diversity at the university. The contact person for the audit is Alexandra Raquet, Head of the Department of Equal Opportunity and Social Diversity.