UNIFY

New: Anti-Semitism contact point for Heidelberg students

If you have experienced anti-Semitism at Heidelberg University, you can now contact the general counselling services at UNIFY (see ‘Counselling/Complaints’) or the new confidential advisor appointed by the Association of Jewish University Teachers.
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News and events

Diversity Drivers – We support project ideas!

Are you a student with an idea for promoting diversity that you would like to implement at your university? Are you part of a group of committed employees who want to implement a project at your institute/department that focuses on diversity and anti-discrimination? We want you to take action and provide financial support for diversity projects by university members. Read the funding guidelines carefully, fill out the application form, and let's get started on the path to fairness, equal opportunities, and diversity.

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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.