Decentralised equality

Each faculty has its own local equality officers, who represent the central equality office at faculty level. Anna Gottfried is the representative of the central equality office for the Faculty of Life Sciences, elected by the Faculty Council.

We support central equality initiatives at faculty level.

In accordance with Section 24 of the Higher Education Act of North Rhine-Westphalia and Section 17 of the State Equality Act of North Rhine-Westphalia, we are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for women and men and contribute to the elimination of existing disadvantages faced by women in academia and female students. This encompasses personnel, organisational and social measures.

Within the faculty, this primarily concerns the following areas of responsibility:

• Collaboration on the development, updating and implementation of the measures set out in the decentralised equality plan of the Faculty of Life Sciences.
• Participation in university-wide projects, programmes and initiatives at faculty level (e.g. the ‘family-friendly university’ audit)
• Supporting staff recruitment processes and advising internal faculty committees
• Designing and implementing projects and events on the topic of equality and diversity aimed at helping to break down gender-specific barriers (e.g. Girls’ Day and Boys’ Day)
• Advising on equality issues
• Support for students with family responsibilities
• Booking the parent-child room
• Networking with internal and external equality stakeholders

Students, staff and the academic staff of the Faculty of Life Sciences.

• If you require information or advice on issues relating to equality, equal opportunities, balancing family life with studies or work, or in cases of disadvantage or discrimination, etc.
• If students, staff or lecturers wish to bring their child to the university and look after them in the parent-child room.
• If you are looking for information on maternity leave, parental leave and childcare options.
• If you feel disadvantaged or discriminated against.
• If you have suggestions for improving equal opportunities or family-friendliness at our faculty.

Rest assured that all your enquiries will be treated confidentially and in strict compliance with data protection guidelines. We will only take further action if you, as the person seeking advice, give your express consent.