Diversity at THU: Diversity enriches our university!
The Technical University of Ulm (THU) is a cosmopolitan institution and a place where people study, research and work together.
In research and teaching, and in our day-to-day professional lives, we benefit enormously from our students, lecturers and staff. They bring their diverse linguistic, cultural, personal and academic perspectives to THU as an open community of knowledge and learning.
Being open-minded also means that the Ulm University of Technology is committed to combating discrimination, incitement to hatred, racism and sexism. That is why, as a community of all university members, we are actively committed to not tolerating discriminatory behaviour at our university.
On this page, you will find the most important information on diversity and inclusion at the Ulm University of Technology.
Diversity goes back to the Latin diversitas. Translated, this means "variety" and "difference".
The social concept of diversity refers to the variety of people. It says: all people are valuable in their uniqueness, all deserve recognition and respect. People are differentiated by various characteristics; these characteristics are also called dimensions.
The American scientists Lee Gardenswartz and Anita Rowe have developed the concept of the "Four Layers of Diversity".
At the center of the model is a person's personality. The so-called "core dimensions" of diversity are located directly around it.
These are
These characteristics can only be changed to a limited extent. They have the greatest influence on the possible inclusion or exclusion of people. (You can find out more about the diversity dimensions in the Diversity Charter .)
The first six of the characteristics mentioned here have been protected in Germany since 2006 by the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) protected.
However, Gardenswartz and Ross's model also shows that there are many other characteristics in the other two layers that contribute to the diversity of people - such as professional experience, marital status or position in the hierarchy. People can change the dimensions in the outer two layers themselves.
There are many terms that have to do with diversity. For example, do you know what ableism means? Or what the individual letters in LGBTQIA* stand for? You can find the answers in the Glossary of the University of Bonn.
Discrimination
Discrimination means that one or more people are unfairly excluded or disadvantaged on the basis of one or more characteristics such as gender, age or origin.
Discrimination can occur consciously or unconsciously. It can be direct - this is the case, for example, when a person is not invited to a job interview because of their name. Indirect discrimination is more difficult to recognize: It occurs, for example, when a person is required to speak German without an accent in job advertisements, even though this is not necessary for the job.
Ulm University of Applied Sciences is committed to diversity and combating discrimination.
Diversity is part of our mission and part of Strategy 2033. Diversity and tolerance characterize our university. We integrate individuality so that everyone benefits. We strengthen democratic structures and diversity of opinion.
Diversity Charter
In 2023, Ulm University of Applied Sciences signed the Diversity Charter and has since made it its mission to continuously promote equality and diversity.
Internal Moodle Course: Complaints and Suggestions for Improvement
There is an internal Moodle course for all students, staff, and professors at THU that lists all internal contact persons.
Equality and Equal Opportunity Contacts
Detailed information on equality and equal opportunity at the University of Ulm can be found on the “Equality and Equal Opportunity” page.
Contact persons for people with disabilities
Students
To ensure that students with disabilities or chronic illnesses are not disadvantaged during their studies, Ulm University of Applied Sciences has appointed a representative for students with disabilities. One of their tasks is to assert claims for compensation for disability-related disadvantages. The person who holds this office is elected by the Senate for a four-year term.
Prof. Dr. Felix Capanni is currently the representative for students with disabilities. He can be contacted at Felix.Capanni(at)thu.de or 0731 96537-371. Felix Capanni is Vice Dean of Faculty T.
Employees
The Disability Officer at Ulm University of Applied Sciences is responsible for employees with disabilities. This office is held by Franz Roth. He can be contacted at Franz.Roth(at)thu.de or 0731-96537572. He is a specialist for occupational safety, a representative for severely disabled employees and a fire safety representative.
The task of the representative for severely disabled employees is to
To make this possible, representatives for severely disabled employees get to know people with severe disabilities and their workplaces. This enables them to recognize potential problems at an early stage and keep an eye on challenges.
AGG complaints office
The General Equal Opportunities Act (AGG) protects people from discrimination. There is an AGG complaints office at THU to which all students, employees and external persons can turn. Chancellor Dr. Christian Elmo Wolff has taken on this task. You can reach him by e-mail at christian.wolff(at)thu.de.
Important to note:
You can find out more about the AGG and forms of discrimination at the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency.
Points of Contact for Sexual Harassment and Violence
Ulm University of Technology does not tolerate sexual harassment or violence in any form. The university has established a policy on this matter, which you can access on the intranet: Policy on Dealing with Sexual Harassment (internal document).
For anyone at our university who has experienced sexual harassment, discrimination, or even violence, or who wishes to report related issues or risks, the following contact persons are available:
Every conversation will be treated strictly confidentially. Further steps will be taken only at the request of the affected person.
The guidelines for dealing with sexual harassment, discrimination, and violence (internal document) describe the procedure for reporting incidents.
In addition, the THU is developing a protection plan against sexual harassment and violence.
Advocate of trust (service offered by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts)
An advocate of trust is available to answer questions relating to sexualized discrimination, sexual harassment and violence and provides advice free of charge. The following link will provide you with further information on the advice offered by the Ministry.
Ulm University of Applied Sciences has set up an internal whistleblower system. Students, employees and external persons can use this system to provide information if they have information that our university is not behaving ethically, legally or unlawfully. This also includes reports on the direct actions of members of the THU (administration, professorial staff, employees and management of the THU) and students.
About the whistleblowing system
Such information is important and is taken seriously by THU. Please use the tool to prevent or avoid violations.
Discrimination often happens unconsciously. That is why we at THU are working to raise awareness of this issue on a broad scale.
The following resources are currently available:
Anti-Bias Workshops
Once per semester, the FH-Personal team offers a 90-minute workshop that introduces various forms of bias. Anyone interested in attending can register by emailing fh-personal(at)thu.de.
Moodle Course “Unconscious Bias”
The FH-Personal team has created a Moodle course. It explains various types of bias. Click here for the course (internal link). It takes about 60 minutes to click through the content.
Standardized Processes in Appointment Procedures
Standardized processes and standardization play a key role in reducing the impact of unconscious biases. For this reason, the FH-Personal team has standardized documents related to the application process. You can find the relevant attachments in the THU Appointment Guidelines (internal link).
The city of Ulm has compiled a large overview of contact points in Ulm and the surrounding area for its "Equal opportunities and diversity" page.
ArbeiterKind.de encourages pupils from families without university experience to be the first in their family to study. ArbeiterKind offers valuable tips and support from experienced students and alumni. Whether it's about studying, financing, scholarships or starting a career - feel free to contact us by email at ulm(at)arbeiterkind.de. At THU, you can also contact Prof. Dr. Manuela Boin.
The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency offers a wealth of information on legal protection against discrimination.
The anti-discrimination office of the state of Baden-Württemberg offers, among other things, an overview of advice centers by zip code.
People who need support after a crime can contact one of over 400 nationwide White Ring contact points. Around 3,000 volunteers who have completed special training and qualifications as victim helpers work there. The support is free of charge and can also be provided anonymously on request.
NERO sees itself as a contact point for victims of sexual offenses and other violent crimes. The aim is to provide unbureaucratic information about victims' rights, to shorten paths and, if necessary, to refer them to other agencies.