Audience seated in a lecture hall watches a presenter at the front in a bright space.

Diversity in Higher Education

This diversity awareness training for university and higher education staff provides practical knowledge on Diversity & Inclusion in teaching, research, and administration and supports an inclusive academic culture.

This diversity awareness training is designed for university and higher education staff who want to actively shape diversity within academic environments. Higher education institutions are deeply influenced by societal diversity in all their structures. For research and teaching, this represents a significant opportunity: innovation thrives on diverse perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking. At the same time, diversity brings different needs that must be addressed. To fully leverage its potential, institutional culture must consciously recognise and structurally embed diversity.

This seminar provides participants with a comprehensive introduction to the foundations of Diversity & Inclusion. After clarifying key concepts, objectives, and fields of action and reviewing best-practice examples from business and public administration, the approach is specifically adapted to the unique context of higher education institutions.

In addition to central diversity categories such as age, disability, ethnic background, gender, religion, and sexual orientation, the higher education context also requires attention to aspects such as social background, educational biography, and professional or life experience. Each of these dimensions is associated with specific needs that may affect participation in study programs, research, and teaching.

Participants learn practical methods and concrete approaches to foster inclusive participation in their areas of responsibility. These range from diversity-sensitive teaching practices and inclusive communication to structural adjustments that address the needs of a diverse academic community. The aim is to empower staff in both teaching and administration to actively support and strengthen an inclusive university culture.

Topics and Content

Introduction to Diversity & Inclusion
Challenges, needs, and opportunities of key diversity categories:

Age
Disability
Ethnic background
Gender
Religion
Sexual orientation

Diversity & Inclusion in higher education
The added value of diversity in research and teaching
Strategies for everyday academic practice

This seminar is ideal for

Staff members of universities and higher education institutions (teaching and administration)

Your benefits

Gain foundational knowledge of Diversity & Inclusion and apply it in the higher education context
Recognise forms of discrimination within universities and support barrier-free participation
Develop practical strategies for managing diversity in academic environments