UNIFY
KidsClub - for internationals
Point of contact in cases of anti-Semitic discrimination at Heidelberg universities
News and events
Women's Strike | 9 March 2026, 2-4 pm | Universitätsplatz Heidelberg
Since 8 March falls on a Sunday this year, various initiatives are calling forr a global “Women’s Strike” on Monday, 9 March 2026, including the initiatives Enough and the Töchterkollektiv. The Bundeskongress der Frauenbeauftragten (bukof), UNIFY at Heidelberg University, and the University’s Central Gender Equality Officer, Prof. Christiane Schwieren, also express their solidarity with the strike and its demands. Universities and research institutions are places of political negotiation and are increasingly shaped by political conflicts in which scientific knowledge, gender equality, and diversity areopenly called into question.
Perfectionism, Productivity and Self-Care
This workshop will develop strategies and skills that help us work more productively without getting lost in perfectionism and working ourselves to exhaustion. The workshop will take place on 30 April 2026 from 10 am to 4 pm in room 03.01, Voßstraße 5, 69115 Heidelberg.
Education, counselling and information: the Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology invites patients to the next Menopause Day at UKHD (in German only)
The Hormone Clinic team of the Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine offers an educational and counselling event for patients focusing on menopause. The number of places is limited, and binding registration is required. Participants can expect comprehensive information about menopause, followed by individual counselling provided by colleagues from the endocrinology department. Further information on registration can be found at this link.
Lunch Talk “Bullying” - UMM - 5 March 2026 - 12am-2pm
The Equal Opportunities Office of the Mannheim Medical Faculty, in cooperation with the Equal Opportunities Officer of the Mannheim University Hospital, is hosting a lunch talk on 5 March 2026 on the topic of ‘Psychological violence in the work and learning environment – recognising, stopping and preventing bullying’.
Theme Week 2026 “High-Performing: Work-Life Balance & Diversity” by berufundfamilie (in German only)
As an audited university, we are pleased to present the program for Theme Week 2026, “High-Performing: Compatibility & Diversity.” The Theme Week is a free online event series offered exclusively to employees of audited employers. We invite you to look forward to inspiring keynote inputs, practice-oriented workshops, and valuable insights on work-life balance, diversity, and modern workplace culture. Registration for the events is now open. You can access detailed event information and register directly via the link.
About UNIFY
UNIFY is the central institution at Heidelberg University for issues of family support, diversity and equality. Its goals, tasks, measures and activities correspond to the legal mandate and strategic goals of the Excellence Strategy.
Family
The reconciliation of caring work and a professional career or studies is at the heart of our work. Raising children or caring for relatives should not result in disadvantages in education or working life. In addition to regular childcare, the university also offers emergency childcare. Students are entitled to flexible examination deadlines.
Diversity
Attributed or self-defined identification with one or more diversity dimensions bears enriching potential and competences as well as challenges and vulnerability. In the context of the university, seven dimensions have been identified that are at the centre of the Diversity Concept. Individual, structural and organisational measures are intended to promote equal opportunities for everyone at the university as a place to study and work.
Certifications
Equality, diversity, antidiscrimination and family are accompanied by external certifications at Heidelberg University. On the one hand, charters reaffirm the commitment to the basic values that are also reflected in the university's mission statement. On the other hand, external certifications evaluate the measures and strategies on the topics and thus provide a framework and targets to be achieved within a certain period of time. The associated commitment ensures the achievement of objectives and the quality of the university's equality, diversity and reconciliation work.
Equality
Women are still massively underrepresented in many subjects and especially at a certain career level ("leaky pipeline"). The State Higher Education Act therefore enshrines the promotion of women in science and the establishment of the office of Equal Opportunities Officer at universities.
Antidiscrimination
The university is not free from discrimination. Power imbalances and dependencies make the prevention of discrimination and disadvantages for certain people and the prevention of unequal treatment a central theme of UNIFY's work. This also includes dealing professionally with conflicts and offering a wide range of counselling services in cases of misconduct by university members.