Equity And Diversity Measures
We firmly believe that diversity is intrinsically linked to excellence. Building a diverse community of outstanding scientists not only enriches our collective expertise but also drives innovation and success in our research goals. We actively promote gender equality by supporting the professional development of our female scientists and fostering diversity across all research areas. We also help our members balance family responsibilities with their research careers, ensuring that personal commitments do not hinder professional growth. By supporting these values, we aim to create an environment where everyone can balance their commitments and contribute their best to science.
Measures to promote gender equality for researchers, diversity in research and the compatibility of research and family
The CRC1550 offers, among others, the following measures to promote equal opportunities:
Child care services: Financial support for childcare services during scientific events;
Student assistant: Funding for student assistants to relieve scientists with family duties within the CRC1550 from laboratory/non-laboratory routine tasks, helping to better balance between research work and family commitments.
Home office equipment: Funding for equipment to enable working from home when this helps scientists to improve the balance between research work and family commitments.
To promote and support female researchers in pursuing their research career, a range of development and training opportunities are offered, such as:
Soft skills courses and workshops: participation in career and skills workshops to broaden individual career prospects (e.g. development of skills in communication, leadership, presentation, negotiation, time management);
Coaching sessions and mentoring programs: to promote professional and personal support and development;
Women researchers’ conferences and congresses: aiming at the expansion of female researchers’ network.
All of our scientific staff are welcome to contact us with individual requests and also make use of the existing support structures offered by the participating institutions.
Examples of established support structures and programs offered by Heidelberg University:
Certified as a “Family-friendly University” (free translation from German ‘Familiengerechte Hochschule’) since 2010. Actively supports students and staff in balancing academic/professional responsibilities with family life (e.g. child care, flexible schedules, parental leave policies, etc.).
Offers more than 400 places for pre-school childcare (ranging from 2 months to 6 years). This includes the full-time childcare services of the ‘Crèche’ and the ‘Kindergarten’.
The University’s KidsClub, staffed by multilingual caregivers, offers temporary childcare (backup service) for situations such as meetings held outside regular working hours or for children of visiting researchers.
Unit for Family, Equality and Diversity (Unify) – central service unit for all matters concerning diversity and equal opportunities at Heidelberg University. Supports University members with questions of professional development, including compatibility of family and career.
KidsBox – mobile cabinet on wheels, that when opened, creates a space where children can play, be changed, or cared for by their parents. Can be borrowed free of charge for childcare during events such as conferences, seminars, or celebrations, as well as part of parent-child workspace.
Olympia-Morata-Program– aims at accelerating the career of excellent female postdoctoral researchers. Funds 50% of the salary of female scientists for at least two years (extendable for one further year).
CRC 1550 members who successfully applied for the Olympia-Morata program will be invited to apply for additional financial support by CRC lump sum fund to receive the other half of the salary.
Rahel-Goitein-Straus-Program – aims to promote female scientists to enter a scientific career especially in fields where women are underrepresented, supporting those with little research experience in making the transition to independent scientific work.