News archive
News archive
Intersectional equality work
4th round of dialogue initiative launched by MWK, LHK and lakog
With the "Dialogue Initiative Gender Equality in Higher Education", the state of Lower Saxony has established a unique discussion group in Germany for the strategic development of gender equality at universities and universities of applied sciences since 2007. As part of the fourth round of dialogue (2024 - 2026), the Ministry of Science and Culture, the State University Conference and the State Conference of Gender Equality Officers at Universities in Lower Saxony are focusing on the topic of intersectional gender equality work. Together, they are exploring the question of how intersectional equality work can be organised in the university context.
Joint declaration against gender pay gap
MWK, LHK and lakog agree on concrete steps for fairer remuneration
The Ministry of Science and Culture and the universities in Lower Saxony are sending a clear signal in favour of fairer remuneration for professors: together, they have declared their intention to counteract the gender pay gap between women and men and have agreed on concrete steps to reduce the gender pay gap in the remuneration of professors. The State Conference of Equal Opportunities Officers at Universities in Lower Saxony (lakog niedersachsen) supports the agreed measures.
HRK: Measures against abuse of power at universities
Standing Committee "Governance"
"Exploiting relationships of trust and dependency, for example in the context of academic qualifications or in hierarchically organised work processes, cannot be tolerated and must be regarded as a violation of the work and service obligations of university staff," explains HRK President Professor Dr Walter Rosenthal. Current cases of sexualised abuse of power towards students and qualifying academics in particular show that a continuous review and, if necessary, expansion of existing protective measures is necessary. The HRK's Standing Commission on Governance will develop proposals for further measures.
GWK: Leaky pipeline remains in place
27th data update on equal opportunities in science and research
"The scientific expertise of female scientists with a doctorate and their performance
are currently not sufficiently exploited for a further scientific career at universities or non-university research organisations," says the Joint Science Conference. "This potential must be channelled into higher qualification and responsibility levels through strategic personnel development that integrates aspects of equal opportunities."
International Women's Day 2024: World Café Future Workshop Equal Opportunities II
Open discussion forum to mark the 50th anniversary of Carl von Ossietzky University
At the centre of the World Café Future Workshop II were current equal opportunities topics: business trips and childcare in academia, sexualised violence, intersectional equal opportunities, students: Allowances for special needs, especially for pregnant women, anti-discrimination, further qualification from academia into university management and as a promotion option within the MTV (shortage of skilled labour). After an introduction by the Central Equal Opportunities Officer and a welcome by the Vice President for Academic Career Paths, Equal Opportunities and International Affairs, Prof Dr Bettina Graue gave a presentation on the selected topics from a legal perspective. This was followed by an in-depth discussion in discussion groups.
CEWS University Ranking 2023 published
Women's opportunities increase too slowly
Across all types of higher education institutions, we have seen different developments in gender equality in recent years, depending on the level of qualification. The gender ratio for doctorates has hardly changed over the past ten years. There appears to be a ceiling effect here, which gives women fewer opportunities than men. In the case of professorships, the pace of equalisation of opportunities is again as slow as it was at the beginning of the millennium.
Youth Future Day 2023
245 pupils took part in 26 on-site and digital events to find out about study and training opportunities in various fields at the University of Oldenburg. The "Future Day for Girls and Boys in Lower Saxony" has existed since 2005 and is based on the concept of the nationwide Girls'Day/Boys'Day. It is regarded as an important building block in career guidance. On this day, girls and boys are encouraged to explore "gender-atypical" academic appointments, including those that they have not previously considered, for example due to a lack of role models.
Equal opportunities 4.0 - why we urgently need new ideas
International Women's Day 2023 at the UOL
"Equal opportunities 4.0 - why we urgently need new ideas!" is the motto for International Women's Day at the University of Oldenburg on 8 March 2023. To this end, we have reviewed findings from the coronavirus pandemic and compiled contributions to the current discussion on the topic of equal opportunities at universities. In particular, we have explored the question of how future gender equality measures can be made more sustainable.
HRK concerned about stagnation in equal opportunities
26th update of the GWK data material
The German Rectors' Conference (HRK) notes with great concern that progress in the appropriate consideration of women at academic career levels is still too slow despite numerous support measures and initiatives. This is confirmed by the 26th data update on equal opportunities recently published by the Joint Science Conference (GWK).
Proportion of women falls short of expectations
Current statement of the Leopoldina
The statement "Women in Science: Developments and Recommendations" by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina identifies reasons why the many programmes for the "advancement of women" and "equal opportunities" in science are not having as comprehensive and rapid an impact as intended and presents comprehensive recommendations.
No future without equal opportunities
15 years of dialogue initiative at universities in Lower Saxony
Since 2007, the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Politics (MWK), the Lower Saxony State University Conference (LHK) and the State Conference of Equal Opportunities Officers at Universities in Lower Saxony (lakog niedersachsen) have formed the forum of the dialogue initiative to implement the needs and issues of equal opportunities at universities in Lower Saxony as a management task.
Economics
Women are particularly underrepresented at research-intensive universities
Women are still underrepresented in many academic appointments. A study by economist Guido Friebel from Goethe University and his team shows that this is also the case in economics, particularly at research-intensive universities.
Youth Future Day 2022
For the first time in hybrid format
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Youth Future Day was organised in hybrid form for the first time this year, meaning that 25 digital events and offers took place on site at the same time. Around 200 pupils took the opportunity to find out about study and training opportunities at the University of Oldenburg. The girls were given insights into scientific research areas and the boys were able to explore the scientific methods and topics of the fields of work at the Institute of Material Culture or explore the library.
Equal opportunities and sustainability - a social task and also a university mission?
International Women's Day 2022 at the UOL
"The empowerment and participation of women and girls has a leverage effect on economic growth and development and is not only equitable, but also indispensable in economic and social terms"(Agenda 2030). What was anchored here in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals with regard to the three major sectors - ecology, economy and social affairs - is increasingly also reaching universities. Digitalisation and educational issues, environmental protection and economic compatibility and, last but not least, day-to-day administrative activities - to name just a few of the fields of research and action at a university today - often come into contact with sustainability issues. These are often located between the poles of resource efficiency and social justice, both of which also touch on the cross-cutting issue of equal opportunities.
On the occasion of this year's International Women's Day, perspectives and opportunities for networking both cross-cutting issues in the various university fields of action were presented and discussed. Prof Dr Ralph Bruder, President of the University of Oldenburg, gave the welcoming address.
Guideline on gender-sensitive language adopted
On 18 January 2022, the Presidential Board of the University of Oldenburg adopted the guideline "Gender-sensitive language and communication at the University of Oldenburg". It was developed by an interdisciplinary working group under the leadership of the Central Equal Opportunities Officer. The University Senate had already voted in favour of the guideline on 15 December 2021. Further information on gender-sensitive language at the University of Oldenburg can be found on the website of the Equal Opportunities Office.
Gender equality plan new criterion for research funding
for Horizon Europe project proposals from 2022 onwards
From 2022, project proposals for European research funding under Horizon Europe will be subject to the new criterion of an institutional Gender Equality Plan (GEP). Female researchers will only be eligible to apply if their university can present such a plan. The European Commission offers a guide for the creation of such a plan, which describes the steps for development and implementation using practical examples.
Gender Equality Plan of the University of Oldenburg (internal)
New Federal Foundation for Equal Opportunities
Realisation opportunities still very different for women and men
Despite the progress made in recent decades, there are still significant differences in the realisation opportunities of women and men in many areas of life.
The Federal Foundation for Gender Equality aims to strengthen and promote equal opportunities for women and men in Germany. It aims to network the federal government, federal states, local authorities, civil society, academia and business. The foundation will also identify gaps in research and award research contracts where necessary.
Performance prevails?!
Gender-equitable university culture: unconscious bias in selection procedures
As part of the impulse event for the third round of the dialogue initiative "Gender-equitable university culture", Prof. Dr Jadranka Gvozdanovic (Heidelberg University) and Prof. Dr Tomas Brage (Lund University) presented examples and figures that clearly demonstrate the bias in the evaluation of women in selection procedures. Both presentations can be listened to here.
Family-friendly university quality seal
For the sixth time in a row, the University of Oldenburg has received the "Family-Friendly University" certificate, which is awarded for three years at a time.
Youth Future Day 2021
In digital format for the first time due to the corona pandemic
This year, the "Future Day for Girls and Boys" was held digitally for the first time. Around 190 children and young people found out about study and training opportunities at the University of Oldenburg. Among other things, the girls gained exciting insights into astronomy and biochemistry, while boys learnt more about subjects such as psychology and art.
"Unheard, but not unheard"
To mark International Women's Day, Oldenburg actress Stephanie Trapp offered a colourful mix of portraits and texts by courageous, combative and uncomfortable women who raise or have raised their voices to stand up for women's rights in her enjoyable literary reading. Rights that are unfortunately not carved in stone, but have to be fought for again and again.
"There is still a lot to do"
Prof Dr Annett Thiele, Vice President for Early Career Researchers and Gender Equality Young Scientists and Equal Opportunities: "There is no doubt that a lot has already been achieved in terms of equal opportunities. But there is still a lot to do, in all areas of society and especially in the world of work. Because although women now have excellent prospects when starting their careers ..."
Career goal firmly in sight
The aim of a new mentoring programme at the university is to support young female academics on their path. Annett Thiele, Vice President for Early Career Researchers and Equal Opportunities, explains the background to the programme.
Diversity audit "Shaping diversity"
The University of Oldenburg has been selected as one of seven German universities to take part in the "Shaping Diversity" diversity audit organised by the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft.
Central equality plan 2020
The University Senate of the University of Oldenburg adopted the Central Gender Equality Plan of the University of Oldenburg on 18 December 2019. Agreement was reached with the Presidential Board on 21 February 2020.
Future Day for girls and boys
On Future Day for Girls and Boys 2019, 191 pupils took part in 25 programmes offered by the University of Oldenburg.
"What I've always wanted to get rid of ..."
Reading for International Women's Day 2019
Milestones such as the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage are important reminders of what seems so self-evident today. International Women's Day, which is celebrated in many parts of the world, raises awareness of the situation of women - economically, socially and politically - once a year. When it comes to living together at a university, the issue of equal rights, equal opportunities and equal participation is a daily challenge that indicates what still needs to be done and determines whether we move away from the goals of a living democracy or move closer to them and consolidate them. To mark International Women's Day 2019, we organised a reading at the University of Oldenburg with a potpourri of speeches, both given and not given, which Stephanie Trapp, actress at the Oldenburg State Theatre, among others, presented to us: "Was ich schon immer mal loswerden wollte...".
Equality future concept positively evaluated
The University of Oldenburg's concept for the future of gender equality has been positively evaluated by the review panel. The University of Oldenburg has thus qualified for the third programme phase of the Women Professors Programme.
Future Day for girls and boys
On Future Day for Girls and Boys, 148 pupils took part in 20 programmes offered by the University of Oldenburg.
Future Day for girls and boys
On Future Day for Girls and Boys, 163 pupils took part in 20 programmes offered by the University of Oldenburg.
Future Day for girls and boys
On Future Day for Girls and Boys, 184 pupils took part in 24 programmes offered by the University of Oldenburg.
Equal opportunities and staff representation - a contradiction?
Panel discussion on International Women's Day 2016
To mark International Women's Day, a panel discussion was held on the topic of "Equal opportunities and staff representation - a contradiction?". The panellists were Ulrike Schilling (ver.di trade union secretary), Bernd Wichmann, Chair of the Staff Council, Petra Mende, member of the Staff Council Executive Board and Dr Anna Pechan, Equal Opportunities Officer, Department of Business, Economics and Law. The event was moderated by the Central Equal Opportunities Officer Anne G. Kosfeld.
Equal opportunities: DFG places University of Oldenburg in the top group
The University of Oldenburg is one of the top 22 universities when it comes to implementing research-oriented equality standards.