Diversity Audit "Shaping Diversity“

The University of Potsdam has successfully completed the diversity audit “Shaping Diversity” and was awarded the certificate of the same name from Stifterverband für die deutsche Wissenschaft. The certificate confirms that the university sees the diversity of its students and employees as an opportunity and has found ways to use this potential for the university’s development. On February 14, 2023, Vice President for Teaching and Studies Dr. Britta van Kempen and Equal Opportunity and Diversity Officer Dr. Nina Khan accepted the certificate at a ceremony in Berlin.

“By participating in the diversity audit, the University of Potsdam has reached important milestones in its diversity work and created a solid foundation for the coming years,” says Vice President for Research, Early Career Researchers, and Equal Opportunity Prof. Dr. Barbara Höhle.

The University of Potsdam went through a two-year process with six other universities and tackled an intensive organizational development process. Among other things, the goals were to agree on a common understanding of diversity, to engage in an open dialogue on the topics of diversity and anti-discrimination with all university members, and to develop a fitting diversity strategy for the University of Potsdam. The diversity audit was accompanied by the external auditor Dr. Isabell Lisberg-Haag and coordinated by a steering group and a steering committee within the University of Potsdam. The formulated goals were implemented in concrete projects and measures by several working groups. For example, the Senate of the University adopted an anti-discrimination guideline in 2022 that regulates complaint procedures in cases of discrimination. Currently, a survey on diversity and experiences of discrimination at the UP is being evaluated in order to identify further needs for diversity work. The two-year process was accompanied by various events such as a Diversity Week, a lecture series on gender diversity, and a four-part series on racism and the university. As part of the diversity audit, the University of Potsdam also developed its current diversity strategy.

“Participation in the diversity audit initiated important discussion processes and drew attention to the topic across the university. It was particularly important to sustainably anchor diversity work at the UP in a structural way because diversity and anti-discrimination are not only cross-cutting issues but also long-term tasks. The diversity audit process is now complete, but the work continues,“ says Dr. Nina Khan.

The certificate is valid for three years. To date, 59 universities have successfully participated in the Stifterverband’s Diversity Audit.