Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The unit Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) assists ongoing institutional developments at the University of Freiburg in these fields. We develop equity- and diversity-specific strategies and measures, and advise the university and its institutions on relevant questions and initiatives. Our projects and offers promote a vibrantly diverse university culture.

We work very closely with numerous other stakeholders at the University of Freiburg to promote equity, diversity, family justice and inclusion.

Offers and strategic principals at the University of Freiburg to foster equity, diversity, family friendliness and inclusion

What EDI means to us

Promoting diversity is inextricably linked with the democratic mission of the university: we want to be a university that recognises people in their diversity, allows them room to develop fully and to shape the future. A variety of perspectives is fundamental to good science. This demands an equitable and antidiscriminatory university culture.
Diversity work at the University of Freiburg includes the following areas of activity: gender equality, antiracism, accessibility, sexual, gender and religious diversity, educational justice, family friendliness and protection against age discrimination. We base our work on an understanding of the intersectional relationship of social inequalities, which involves giving consideration to both the individual and the university’s structures.

Our strategic projects and offers

Strategic projects

We coordinate strategic processes in relation to equity and diversity, for example by producing the Gender Equality Plan. Recent successes have included a positive assessment of our strategic concept for equal opportunities that aims to bring about male-female parity in professorships (‘Professorinnenprogramm 2030’) and renewed certification of the University of Freiburg with the TOTAL E-QUALITY award. The university is currently working on a university-wide diversity strategy as part of the ‘Vielfalt gestalten’ (Shaping diversity) audit of the Stifterverband.

Summary of the strategic principles of the university’s EDI work

Dr. Wibke Backhaus [she/her]

Head of Department GDaPE
Head of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion unit

E-Mail: wibke.backhaus@zv.uni-freiburg.de
Phone: +49 761 203-9054
by arrangement
Advising the Rectorate in decision-making, planning, implementation and evaluation processes for EDI
EDI-specific strategy and concept development (e.g. structural and development planning, personnel and organisational development)
EDI Consulting
Office of the Permanent Senate Commission on Equal Opportunity
Participation in working groups and networks within the university and national and international working groups and networks

Diversity Audit

The University of Freiburg has been participating in the Stifterverband’s Diversity Audit since the autumn of 2024. In this 2.5-year strategy and organisational development process, the university is working on self-imposed key issues.

Diversity Audit

Aylin Kilic [she/her]

Project coordination Diversity Audit and Diversity Data Report
Project management “protect. Protection against discimination and abuse of power”

E-Mail: aylin.kilic@zv.uni-freiburg.de
Phone: +49 761 203-96866
by appointment
Overall coordination and management of the auditing process
Content preparation and follow-up as well as organisational implementation of various event formats
Analysing the current status of the diversity monitoring and diversity work at the university
Collaboration in the development of prevention and awareness-raising programmes

protect. Protection against discrimination and abuse of power

Women Professors Programme (Professorinnenprogramm 2030)

Through the 2030 Women Professors Programme (Professorinnenprogramm 2030), the University of Freiburg can allocate around € 2.1 million to measures promoting gender equality, such as transitional funding for women researchers in the postdoctoral phase and the expansion of coaching, family services and gender equality monitoring. This is based on the success of its ‘Equality Concept for Parity,’ which the University of Freiburg developed for the first selection round of the 2030 Women Professors Programme in 2024.

Further Information

EDI Consulting

We support and advise on the implementation of EDI aspects in third-party funded projects, especially regarding the Standard Allowance for Equity and Diversity from the German Research Foundation (DFG). Generally, we also advise on issues concerning the integration of gender and diversity in research content. We are happy to support you from your initial idea through to final implementation.

Felix Wittenzellner [he/him]

Deputy Head of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion unit
Diversity consultant

E-Mail: felix.wittenzellner@zv.uni-freiburg.de
Phone: +49 761 203-4432
by arrangement
Specialist support and representation of the Head of Unit in advising the Rectorate and other university institutions on the topic of equity, diversity and inclusion
Collaboration in concept and strategy development
Conceptualisation and implementation of anti-bias measures
Co-Speaker of the Network Diversity in Higher Education Institutions

For DFG projects you can find information about equality and diversity on the following websites:

Unconscious/Anti-Bias – Workshops and Training

We develop concepts and measures to ensure a prejudice-free and non-discriminatory university culture. Our advisory, workshop and training offers are designed for all members of the university. Feel free to bring your questions and concerns to us.

Felix Wittenzellner [he/him]

Deputy Head of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion unit
Diversity consultant

E-Mail: felix.wittenzellner@zv.uni-freiburg.de
Phone: +49 761 203-4432
by arrangement
Specialist support and representation of the Head of Unit in advising the Rectorate and other university institutions on the topic of equity, diversity and inclusion
Collaboration in concept and strategy development
Conceptualisation and implementation of anti-bias measures
Co-Speaker of the Network Diversity in Higher Education Institutions

Diversity in Teaching

CORA coaching programme

Permanent Senate Commission on Equal Opportunity

Bertha Ottenstein Prize

Networking

Within the University of Freiburg, we work closely with the independent representatives in their fields of responsibility and maintain close links with the various bodies which are dedicated to ensuring equity, inclusion and protection against discrimination:

Besides this, we are also active in national and international networks and bodies.