The Equity Strategy: Equal Opportunities Including Anti-Discriminatory, Intersectional (EDI)
Equity concepts and strategies
Here we will give you an insight into our strategies for equal opportunities and diversity.
EDI (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion) is the international term for an organisational framework. It aims to achieve equal participation and opportunity, with a focus on groups that are historically underrepresented and potentially discriminated against. The idea is to create a non-discriminatory, inclusive environment for everyone - regardless of gender or sexual identity, caring responsibilities, ethnic origin, age, social and religious background, disability or health status.
The promotion of equal opportunities is the center of our way of working. We firmly believe that an educational and scientific culture based on equity and fairness contributes to creative research, a healthy working environment and successful education for all genders.
The strategy papers are the result of a thorough and evidence-based analysis process and a consistent focus on eliminating structural inequalities and discrimination. Our strategies aim to promote diversity among university members, actively counteract discrimination and break down gender-specific barriers.
The University's basic principle is that equal opportunities regardless of gender, ethnic origin, age, social and religious background, disability/chronic illness or sexual identity are a human right and an absolute prerequisite for academic freedom, educational equality and a fair working environment. Diversity enriches academic and research-supporting working groups and the student body and is therefore welcomed and encouraged. In order to achieve this goal, the university has strategically linked priorities: maximizing equal opportunities for all by combating discrimination and actively promoting diversity and a culture of inclusivity. The university is both an employer and an educational institution that prepares people for working world.
The University of Tübingen's strategy pursues a structural approach. It is about recognizing and naming exclusion mechanisms and disadvantages and taking measures to reduce them, as well as counteracting them with a culture and structure-changing policy. Where possible, deficits in equal opportunities must be identified on the basis of regular data analyses. Equal opportunity targets are formulated and integrated into the management tools and quality management processes.
Three goals are formulated in the University's mission statement:
A university culture based on diversity and equal opportunities is to be further developed,
The remaining disadvantages for women and other groups at risk of discrimination or underrepresented in studies, research and teaching are to be eliminated,
Working and study conditions should be created that allow all students, employees and academics to pursue their activities at the university as well as to reconcile their responsibilities in family and society.
In order to use synergies to achieve these goals, the topics of gender, diversity and care are not dealt with separately. In this way, commonalities and possible lines of conflict are identified. Above all, however, the objectives are pursued intersectionally: Gender in particular is interwoven with all other characteristics of diversity - diverse factors do not add up, but give rise to specific forms of multiple discrimination or life realities.
The current Equality Plan
Equal Opportunities at the University of Tübingen Equality - Family - Diversity
The University of Tübingen's Equal Opportunities Plan is the fundamental document in which the University comprehensively describes its goals, strategies and measures in the field of equal opportunities / equity.
As part of the University's structural and development planning, it complies with the guidelines of the State Higher Education Act for equality plans and runs from 2023 to 2027.
The Gender Equality Plan meets the European Commission's requirements for gender equality plans and thus enables the University of Tübingen and its members to submit applications to the Horizon Europe framework program. ( Rahmenprogramm Horizon Europa )
The current Gender Equality Plan (as part VII of the University of Tübingen's Structure and Development Plan 2023 to 2027) is available for download here:
The individual topics of gender equality and care are also available in specific summaries from the equality plan. The university's diversity strategy also expands the diversity plan from this document on the basis of a participation process. From the beginning of 2025, a result will be available.
Equality is also a Central Topic of the Excellence Strategy!
Find out more about the core measures in the area of Gender Equality in the Excellence Strategy at the University of Tübingen.
Role Models in the Science & Career Talks format of the University of Tübingen's Excellence Strategy
Audits and Charta der Vielfalt
The University of Tübingen regularly undergoes audits on the topics of diversity and family. These are the Diversity Audit Diversity Audit "Vielfalt gestalten" and the audit familiengerechte hochschule. The implementation of the audits is coordinated by Team Equity. The University of Tübingen has also signed the Charta der Vielfalt.
We recognise that the journey towards equal opportunities for all is a challenging and difficult one. However, all members of the University are invited to continue on this journey and work towards a more inclusive society. Your participation and commitment is vital to bringing about positive change and shaping a fairer future.
