Promoting equality and diversity

Spielfiguren in verschiedenen Farben aus der Vogelperspektive (Ausschnitt)
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UDE’s talents are as diverse as their research

There are many decisions to be made and new skills to be learned on the academic career path, and this journey is unique for each researcher. In order to support candidates meet the different needs during their academic path, we emphasize incorporating aspects of equality, diversity, and work-life balance. They are an integral part of our counselling and training offers. We focus on fostering individual talents by providing transparent information and strengthening the exchange of knowledge and experience amongst peers.

On this page, you will find an overview of selected key topics of the many services we offer and links to contact information on the topics of equality, diversity, and work-life balance.

Your contact person

Stephanie Sera

Stephanie Sera is your contact person in our team for all matters concerning equity and diversity in the promotion of early career researchers. She offers career counselling and coaching for female researchers and advises research collaborations at the UDE on implementing suitable measures in the area of gender equality (Gender Consulting).

Get in touch with Stephanie Sera

Click to see our offers on the following topics:

Promoting female researchers

The higher the career level, the lower the proportion of women in academia. In Germany, only 27% of professorships are currently held by women. To support female researchers on their career paths, we offer specific formats:

Networking opportunities in English

International researchers often face language barriers when it comes to qualification, information, and networking offers. Therefore, we include English-language workshops in our (Home) Training Days series as well as Research Academy Ruhr’s offers.

First-generation in academia

Being the first in the family to complete a doctorate is often both an exciting and challenging step. Academic research, with its own game rules, can seem unmanageable at first. To support first-generation researchers with their questions and challenges, we offer the following formats:

Mental health

Complex requirements and fixed-term employment contracts can be mentally challenging for early career researchers. We provide information about strategies and measures to better cope with stress, time and performance pressure to prevent mental overload.

Doing a doctorate with disabilities and chronic diseases

Living with a disability and chronic illness feels different for everyone. Also, structural barriers can challenge a doctorate additionally. UDE works on reducing these barriers by intersecting diversity with equality, inclusion and family-friendliness. 

On this page, you will find the following information for those interested in doing a doctorate, doctoral candidates as well as doctoral supervisors:

  • counselling offers at the UDE 
  • Information and news about our frequent exchange event
  • a link to the portal "Promotion inklusive" of the University of Cologne with lots of essential practical information for doctoral candidates and doctoral supervisors

We are well-connected