Equal Opportunities Commissioner of Heidelberg University

Equality is a continuous effort which needs to be adjusted constantly to fit current requirements. It involves the university as a whole. Much has been accomplished in recent years: Equality plays a pivotal role at Heidelberg University. The ratio of female professors is increasing and equal opportunity measures as well as services at Heidelberg University [1] have not only been effective internally, but have also received positive recognition from outside. And yet, a lot remains to be done. At our university, too, female postdocs are still faced with a glass ceiling. [2] Their academic expertise is not sufficiently utilised in science and research and, as a consequence, their skills remain untapped. [3] Safeguarding and securing this potential is a matter of equal opportunity, but it is important for the university‘s performance in national and international competition as well. [4] The same applies to the capabilities and competencies of other groups. Be it people who come to us as migrants, or who take on family responsibilities, students and researchers with physical disabilities, or older colleagues: for all these groups we need to establish open spaces and points of transition with the help of equal opportunity offers. [5]

The goal is to create equal opportunities and chances by reflecting on needs and requirements, thereby strengthening Heidelberg University‘s reputation as an attractive employer and innovative research site. Achieving this goal requires further structural changes, conduct that is geared towards gender equality and equal opportunity, as well as individual support – an effort that concerns all of us.
We also communicate these goals publicly. Wissenschaftsjahr 2024 

Prof. Dr. Christiane Schwieren 

Equal Opportunities Commissioner
Alfred-Weber-Institute for Economics
Bergheimer Straße 58
69115  Heidelberg
06221 54 2953
christiane.schwieren@awi.uni-heidelberg.de

apl. Prof. Dr. sc. hum. Konstanze Plaschke

Deputy Equal Opportunities Commissioner
Anästhesiologische Klinik
Im Neuenheimer Feld 110
69120 Heidelberg
06221 56 6451
konstanze.plaschke@med.uni-heidelberg.de