PDM – Profile Development through Diversity Management

On October 27th 2023 the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences and the Psychological University of Berlin (PHB) hosted the kick-off event for the BMBF project "Profiling through Diversity Management". The aim was to inform about the project, to jointly identify challenges of diversity management at universities and to lay the foundation for a cross-university diversity management network.

Attendants were the Commissioner for Equality and Diversity at Akkon University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Schönfeld, the Human Resources Development Officer at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (BHT), Ms. Leotsako, the Prorector for Quality, International Affairs & Diversity at FOM, Prof. Eumann, the Interim Head of the Diversity and Anti-Discrimination Office at Freie Universität Berlin, Dr. Mak, and the respective Equal Opportunities Officers at IB University of Applied Sciences, Ms. Setzepfand and Humanistische Hochschule Berlin, Dr. Patzelt.

The event started with an introduction to the topic, followed by a presentation of the project proposal, goals and timeline. In groups, university representatives collected practices, successes as well as challenges and discussed aims of diversity management at their respective institutions. The format also gave room for informal exchange. It became clear that the prerequisites and stages of development of diversity management at the respective universities are quite heterogeneous. However, challenges such as the implementation of diversity strategies and mission statements in concrete measures and sanctions for non-compliance seemed to be universal. In a final round of reflection, further project steps were introduced and attendants were asked about their preferences regarding future cooperation.

The organizing universities Osnabrück and PHB look back on a successful project start and thank all participants for their valuable contributions.