Gender and Diversity

Equal opportunities, equitable participation, diversity and inclusion are key elements our mission statement at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt. As a globally minded university, our mission statement also stresses our commitment to firmly opposing all forms of discrimination and extremism.

Strategic objectives and measures to promote equal opportunities for women and men have been specified in our equality plan.

In the course of our involvement in Stifterverband's Diversity Audit, the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt has also agreed on fields of action and measures for the development of a diversity strategy.

From 2008 to September 2023, the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt underwent the family-friendly university audit in order to continuously develop the right environment for students to be able to balance their studies, career and family and also to promote a family-conscious university culture.

For the prevention of and protection against sexual harassment, discrimination and violence, the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt adopted a directive.

Equal Opportunities Officer

The Equal Opportunities Officer assists the university in improving equal opportunities across all genders and, in particular, works to increase the proportion of women in academia. She also raises awareness on the issues of equality, sexual discrimination and gender.

Her core tasks include supervising staffing and appointment procedures, gender equality policy engagement in university committees, and the regional and nationwide networking of gender equality work. She is a member of the State Conference of Equal Opportunities Officers at Thuringian Universities ( Landeskonferenz der Gleichstellungsbeauftragten an Thüringer Hochschulen - LaKoG) and participates in the committee "Equality at Universities of Applied Sciences and Universities of Applied Sciences" ("Gleichstellung an Hochschulen für angewandte Wissenschaften und Fachhochschulen") of the Federal Conference of Women's and Equal Opportunities Officers at Universities (Bundeskonferenz der Frauen- und Gleichstellungsbeauftragten an Hochschulen - bukof).

She offers confidential counselling for employees, students and applicants.

Diversity Officer

The Diversity Officer actively promotes the equitable participation of all university members and applicants in research, teaching, student matters and continuing education, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion or beliefs, disability, age, gender identity or sexual orientation as well as working to dismantle existing barriers and disadvantages.

In particular, she is committed to supporting the interests of students with disabilities or chronic illnesses.

Her tasks include overseeing professorial appointments and representing the university on its committees.

She is a member of the Diversity Network for Thuringian Universities.

Main counselling areas:

• students with disabilities or chronic illness
• discrimination under the General Equal Treatment Act (Allgemeinem Gleichbehandlungsgesetz)

Gender and Diversity Service

The Gender and Diversity Service is the central point of contact for all members and departments of the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt when it comes to gender and diversity issues. It offers expertise and advice on the following key areas:

• equal opportunities and anti-discrimination for students
• gender-sensitive orientation, support for young talent and career development
• a university culture that is sensitive to gender and diversity
• gender and diversity competence in teaching
• strategic and conceptual development in the area of gender and diversity