Equal Opportunities Equal Opportunities

Equal opportunity policies address the structures of our university and academic policy and aim to secure the equal representation of all genders. We understand efforts to obtain equality as a cross-sectional task and are working to generate increased equality – in terms of both opportunity and gender – in studies, teaching, research and administration at the university via various pathways and instruments. By working to eliminate structural and resource-related disadvantages, we aim to ensure equal access to resources, to co-determination and decision-making power, to knowledge, to pay and to rights for people of all genders. We develop goals and measures to reduce and prevent intersectional discrimination in the study programmes and in academic, artistic and other types of work at the university. We also advocate for the fair distribution of caregiving work and support efforts to make the university family-friendly and to ensure work-life balance for students and employees.

Many of the instruments within the legislative equal opportunities framework continue to refer only to the female and male genders. Some newer laws now provide for the possibility of a third option for gender identity. This is a step towards capturing the reality of gender identities and moving beyond the previous norm of two genders. In the area of equal opportunities, the university strives to cultivate a more differentiated understanding of gender relationships and to develop more inclusive measures.

The Committee for Equal Opportunity and Diversity is a standing committee of the university senate. It is responsible for driving and coordinating equality and diversity policy at HAW Hamburg and serves in an advisory capacity for the university senate. It drafts regulations and policies related to equality and diversity and advises the faculties and the equal opportunities commissioners.

The Committee for Equal Opportunity and Diversity is made up of the responsible member of the Executive Board, two professors from the university senate, two additional professors, two academic staff members, one member of the technical, library and administrative staff, and two students. An equal proportion of male and female members shall be ensured where possible.