PDM – Profile Development through Diversity Management
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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. Sch?nfeld, 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 Universit?t Berlin, Dr. Mak, and the respective Equal Opportunities Officers at IB University of Applied Sciences, Ms. Setzepfand and Humanistische 365体育投注_365网球投注 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.
On Friday 4 October, the second workshop of the research project ‘Profile Building through Diversity Management’ took place, bringing together eight representatives of equality and diversity work and research from private and public universities. Parallel to the symposium ‘Social Cohesion’ organised by the Political Psychology section of the BDP, interim results of the PDM project were shared and discussed in the context of equality and diversity work at universities. The workshop provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of diversity at universities, practical approaches to promoting equal opportunities and the challenges associated with implementing diversity initiatives.
The workshop was complemented by impulses from Prof Frank Linde and Dr René Krempkow, who provided insights into their research on diversity management at universities in North Rhine-Westphalia and diversity in the context of the Professor:innen career path.
Another highlight was the keynote speech by Prof Dr Rolf van Dick (Goethe University Frankfurt), which took place as part of the symposium and was free of charge for workshop participants. In his presentation, Prof. van Dick highlighted the benefits and relevance of identity leadership for organisations and politics. He presented the modern concept of identity-oriented leadership and showed how leaders succeed in creating a common identity in social structures such as teams, organisations or even countries. This integrative type of leadership in turn contributes to positive effects such as less burnout and a more innovative working environment. The participants learnt about the four facets of identity-oriented leadership and were given practical application options for their own areas of responsibility. They also learnt how identity-orientated leadership at a political level contributes to more commitment and greater adherence to rules. Prof van Dick's findings were eagerly received and discussed in depth in the subsequent discussion.
The keynote speech by Eva H?gl, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces in the German Bundestag, who was unable to attend in person due to illness, was followed by a presentation of her theses on the importance of a social year for social cohesion. In it, she explained her understanding of a social year, in which each and every person commits themselves to society for a period of time. This commitment could be in different areas, such as the environment, culture, social affairs or even the armed forces. There would be many possibilities and models between voluntary commitment on the one hand and a compulsory year on the other. A social year would help individuals to broaden their horizons, open up perspectives and strengthen responsibility. At a social level, this can strengthen cohesion and promote a sense of togetherness. In the ensuing discussion, the prerequisites and conditions for the implementation of such a social year were lively debated.
The participants drew a very positive conclusion from the event and particularly emphasised the insights into the current state of research and the opportunity to exchange experiences. They also expressed a desire for follow-up formats and documentation of the results of the research project.
