Diversity Milestones
2024
University Action Day against Discrimination "Aware together“
On 24 April 2024, the first University Action Day against Discrimination "Aware together" took place at the University of Bremen. Throughout the day, a wide variety of events and formats invited people to engage with diversity and (protection from) discrimination at the university. This created spaces for reflection and discussion, for meeting other members of the university and for thinking about the topic.
2023
Adoption of the 2nd Inclusion Action Plan to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
In 2023, the Academic Senate of the University adopts the second University Inclusion Action Plan. This updated action plan goes far beyond the focus of the first action plan: it addresses all status groups at the university and views it as an overall system that should be made (more) inclusive. With the adoption of the second action plan, the "Inclusion Expert Group" was transformed into the "Inclusion Action Plan Working Group".
2022
Change in the Vice President's Office
Dr. Mandy Boehnke takes over as Vice President for International Affairs and Diversity. Alongside this personnel change, the office's name changes to 'International Affairs, Academic Qualifications and Diversity'.
"Diversity Management" becomes the "Diversity Office"
Organisationally, the Diversity Management at the University of Bremen moves from the Department of Academic Affairs to the Equal Opportunities/Anti-discrimination Unit. There, it forms a third Office - Diversity - alongside the Antidiscrimination Departement (ADE) and the Equal Opportunities Office.
2019-2022
University of Bremen Co-Leads the YUFE-Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategy
From 2019 to 2022, the University of Bremen was a co-lead in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion work package alongside the University of Essex as part of the European university alliance "Young Universities for the Future of Europe" (YUFE).
2017
Successful Diversity Re-Audit
In 2017, the University of Bremen underwent re-auditing for the “Vielfalt gestalten” (Shaping Diversity) “Diversity-Conscious University” seal of the Stifterverband. The re-audit process included an internal, participatory development process, the creation of a self-report including targeted development goals as well as an assessment and inspection by external peers.
Change in the Vice President's Office
Prof. Eva-Maria Feichtner takes on the role as Vice President for International Affairs and Diversity, previously held by Prof. Dr. Yasemin Karaka?o?lu from April 2011 to September 2017.
Adoption of the Second Diversity Strategy
The Academic Senate of the University of Bremen adopts a new diversity strategy, which serves as a guideline to continuously foster an understanding of diversity and to anchor it in research, teaching, and administration.
2015
The Vice President's Office for "Interculturality" becomes "International Affairs and Diversity"
The office of the "Vice President for Interculturality and Internationality" is renamed "International Affairs and Diversity."
2013
Adoption of the "Action Plan to Implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities"
The Academic Senate of the University of Bremen adopts an action plan to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The action plan means to improve the situation of students with disabilities or chronic illnesses in particular.
Launch of the Diversity @ Uni Bremen event series
From 2011 to 2022, the Diversity @ Uni Bremen series utilized lecture- and discussion-forums to stimulate discussion processes on the importance of diversity and sensitivity to discrimination in teaching, research and administration within the university. Various perspectives were included and the chosen focus topics changed annually.
2012
Adoption of the 1st diversity strategy
The Academic Senate adopts the University of Bremen's first diversity strategy "Vielfalt als Chance erkennen, f?rdern und gestalten" (Recognising, promoting and shaping diversity as an opportunity) - one of the first university diversity strategies nationwide.
2012
First audit as a Diversity-Conscious University
The 2012 Diversity Audit was the final step of the project “Ungleich besser! Verschiedenheit als Chance” (Better Differently! Diversity as an Opportunity) project launched by the Stifterverband in 2010. The University of Bremen submitted an application with its "Diversity as Tradition and Future" concept and was among the first eight German universities to receive the “Diversity-Conscious University” seal. The participating universities joined a benchmark club to discuss strategies, best-practice examples, and positive auditing factors.
Room of Silence Established
The University of Bremen establishes a non-confessional Room of Silence in the GW2 Building. The room serves as a retreat for all those who seek tranquility, want to meditate, or pray.
2011
Launch of the ?e n t e r s c i e n c e" Project for Students of all Disciplines
The project develops diversity measures and teaching-learning formats that are sensitive to inequalities and aim to promote social opening processes in higher education. In order to increase the overall participation of underrepresented student groups in academia, the project operates at the intersection of studying, teaching, and the promotion of early career researchers. It is intersectional in its approach.
Establishment of the Role of the Vice President for Interculturality and Internationality
First Vice President for Interculturality and Internationality: Prof. Dr. Yasemin Karaka?o?lu, Professor for Intercultural Education (Faculty of Pedagogy and Educational Sciences).
2010
Establishment of the KIS
The Contact and Information Centre for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses (KIS) was established in 2010. The KIS offers students with disabilities or chronic illnesses advice on compensation for disadvantages, study organisation and other support services on campus.
Participation in the "Ungleich besser! Verschiedenheit als Chance" (Better Differently! Diversity as an Opportunity) Project
From 2010 to 2012, the University of Bremen took part in the project "Ungleich besser! Diversity as an opportunity" (Stifterverband/CHE) and was thus involved in the Benchmarking Club for the Diversity Audit. During this time, initial key topics were discussed and trialled in the "Initiativkreis Diversity" (Diversity Initiative Group). At the end of the project, the university's first diversity strategy was adopted and the "Lenkungskreis Diversity" (now "Lenkungskreis Diversit?t") and the "Berater*innenkreis Diversity" (now "Vernetzungsrunde Diversit?t") were established.
2009
Signing of the Diversity Charter
In the context of the conference of the BremerForum:Diversity cooperative initiative, the University of Bremen signed the Diversity Charter ("Charta der Vielfalt"). Alongside the members of the Rectorate at the time, Dr. Margrit E. Kaufmann played a key role in the signing.