Committed to a path towards diversity and equal opportunities

A young institution at 20 years, the University is working to foster an environment which not only attracts talented female researchers, but also offers them reasons to stay and develop their full academic potential here. "Gender equality is a question of fairness and an important tool for promoting academic excellence at our research university", says Prof. Jens Kreisel, rector of the University. "The proportion of women in academia has been improved but remains painfully too low. More widely, a diverse and equal opportunities environment is essential to understand the complexity of today's challenges. It also motivates exceptional researchers to join the University and most importantly, to stay and further their careers in our community." Surveys confirmed that women increasingly take into consideration a gender-friendly working environment when making career change decisions. Creating a gender-equal research environment includes ensuring equal opportunities at all levels for professional and personal development, adequate recruitment policy and practice, adequate research environments and policies for pregnant researchers and parents, as well as support mechanisms for young researchers. To implement such measures, institutions also work on transparent decision-making processes, internal communication and awareness raising.