Days of Antidiscrimination
When? 15th of April – 19th of April 2024
Where? On both campuses and online
What? Five days of mutual exchange, workshops, discussions and performances, thematic focus on power and power relations at university
Who? Organized by International and Political Education Department, AStA and the Vice-President for Internationalisation and Diversity
Room information or digital room links on Moodle: https://moodle.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/course/view.php?id=11756.
Monday, 15th of April 2024:
Online, link on Moodle, 6pm - 8pm
Opening Event
A welcome from AStA and the vice-president for internationalisation and diversity
Power relations at universities today: privileges, normalities, contestations
Prof. Dr. Joanna Pfaff-Czarnecka
The academic world is highly unequal. The modalities of relating in research and teaching have increasingly become the object of critique in recent years. German universities have come under scrutiny especially on the basis of differential chances based on class, gender and race. These are important axes of interrogations in other parts of the world, as well, but the Western dominance in academia and the quest to de-colonise universities are increasingly informing the critical positions. This presentation will discuss the power relations in academia and the durable institutional hierarchies at work by presenting examples from different parts of the world. The aim of this presentation will be threefold: 1) to address the more or less hidden privileges of the ‘natural dwellers’ in academia; 2) to take examples from unfamiliar contexts to enable the interrogation of familiar situations and sites, and 3) to show that critical positions challenging the established constellations of power can bear creative and enriching results when established academic hierarchies are put to test.
Managing the unexpected: Realistic expectations for international students as a first step towards equal opportunities
Dr. Thordis Neger
This presentation will address the crucial issue of managing expectations for international students and will explore the strategies used in the International Integration (i²) project at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. The presentation will show how expectations are related to student satisfaction, resilience and academic success. By ensuring that expectations are grounded in reality, the project aims to level the playing field and promote equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their background.
Tuesday, 16th of April 2024:
Room on Moodle, 10am - 1pm
Doing Dis_Ability: Dealing with Dis_Abilities in everyday life at the university
Katharina Niedling
This workshop invites you to an open exchange about Dis_Ability. We want to talk to each other instead of talking about each other. We will question the practice of "othering" as well as the concept of normativity. The requirements of the German Social Code will only be discussed in passing. Rather, the aim is to reduce fear in dealing with the topic and to see what ways there are to support participation. From barrier-free access to the office/lecture hall to the readability of PowerPoint presentations, we want to question our role and find a position.
The workshop aims to find a reflexive way of dealing with dis_ability. This is intended to enable prejudice-conscious communication in everyday university life.
Some knowledge in German is helpful but not necessary. Just for students and administrative staff. Only 15 spots available. Please sign up through diversity@hochschule-rhein-waal.de
Room on Moodle, 7pm - 9pm
Open Mic
An opportunity for students to speak about their thoughts and ideas regarding the Days of Antidiscrimination. Feel free to join and engage in discussions with your fellow students and listen to interesting speeches and ideas from students of our university. You may also decide to give a few words yourself or simply stick to enjoying the snacks and drinks provided while listening.
Wednesday, 17th of April 2024:
Room on Moodle, 2pm - 3:30pm
On Excellence, Elites, and Inequality – (Hidden) Power Structures in German Higher Education and Academia
Dr. Angela Graf
Is it truly all about excellence? Higher Education and Academia present themselves as highly meritocratic institutions, claiming to select solely based on merit. Social factors should and must not play a role. However, it is an open secret that social factors still have an impact on education trajectories and academic careers. In the presentation, we will challenge this meritocratic postulate and take a closer look at power structures within the German academic field. We will trace who is reaching the top, shed light on social inequality structures, and focus particularly on the impact of social background on success in the academic field. Additionally, we will reflect on (disguised) mechanisms that contribute to the (re)production of (unequal) power structures and discuss potential avenues to break this detrimental circle.
Room on Moodle, 6pm - 7:30pm
Dues – Lecture performance
Crystal Hassell
People say: Let's have an honest conversation.
What they mean is: Be assertive, but not too much.
People say: Say what's on your mind.
What they mean is: But don't make it about me or if you really have to then say it in a somewhat positive, nice, non-accusatory way.
People say: Let’s keep the dialogue going. What they mean is:
But let me be the hero of the conversation. Let me speak first, last and longest. Let me think I get it and that I am not hurting you, let me think I am one of the good guys, let me know I am still relevant.
People say: let's have an honest conversation. That's important, because if we stop engaging in dialogue, we are lost.
How can you point out inequalities in society to people with privilege,
and invite them to make society more inclusive together?
Thursday, 18th of April 2024:
Online, link on Moodle, 2pm - 4:30pm
Sexualized violence and abuse of power at universities - an awareness and empowerment workshop for students
MeTooScience
Metooscience offers those affected by sexualised violence in a scientific context a voice and protection through solidarity and anonymity. We and others affected by abuse of power step out of shame and invisibility. By joining forces, we are moving away from the narrative of individual cases towards broad awareness - that is the vision and purpose of #metooscience.
Just for students.
Room on Moodle, 3pm - 4:30pm
Sexualisierte Gewalt an der Hochschule
Anja Große-Kreul
Der Hashtag #metoo hat dazu geführt, dass Sexismus und sexuelle Belästigung vermehrt in den Medien thematisiert werden. Oftmals werden vor allem prominente Fälle hervorgehoben, jedoch erfahren viele Frauen auch am Arbeitsplatz oder im Studium sexuelle Belästigung. Der Vortrag bietet einen grundlegenden Einblick in die verschiedenen Formen sexueller Belästigung und die rechtlichen Aspekte, und es werden potenzielle Lösungsansätze sowie Unterstützungsmöglichkeiten im Hochschulkontext vorgestellt.
In German, just for staff.
Friday, 19th of April 2024:
Online, link on Moodle, 1pm - 2:30pm
Workshop: Ableism and Invisible Disabilities
Hande Gülay Aslan, Enes Zengin
What is it like to study with and invisible disability? How does it influence studying at a university? Learn what the university can offer to students suffering from an invisible disability and how to deal with it better. The workshop gives a huge insight in the challenges students with an invisible disability face, as well as giving room for discussion and the exchange of experiences.
Online, link on Moodle, 3pm - 4pm
Structural Inequalities at universities. An intersectional approach
Dr. Urmila Goel
Universities are not only hierarchical institutions, but also shaped by the structural inequalities of society in general. The presentation discusses how power mechanisms such as racism, heteronormativity, classism or ableism shape universities and how they intersect with each other.
Kamp-Lintfort room on Moodle, 5pm - 6:30pm
Dues – Lecture performance
Crystal Hassell
People say: Let's have an honest conversation.
What they mean is: Be assertive, but not too much.
People say: Say what's on your mind.
What they mean is: But don't make it about me or if you really have to then say it in a somewhat positive, nice, non-accusatory way.
People say: Let’s keep the dialogue going. What they mean is:
But let me be the hero of the conversation. Let me speak first, last and longest. Let me think I get it and that I am not hurting you, let me think I am one of the good guys, let me know I am still relevant.
People say: let's have an honest conversation. That's important, because if we stop engaging in dialogue, we are lost.
How can you point out inequalities in society to people with privilege,
and invite them to make society more inclusive together?
Further events relevant to the topic are planned and will be announced soon.
Room information or digital room links on Moodle: https://moodle.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/course/view.php?id=11756.
All events will be held in English unless otherwise indicated.