Gender Equality: University of Wuppertal ascended to top league

The University of Wuppertal (UW) went up into the top league of gender equality strong universities. A set up working group of the German Research Foundation (DFG) assessed the final report of the UW on the implementation of research-based standards on gender equality as particularly successful. Thus, the UW has been included in the group of 22 universities (out of 68), to which the highest qualification level (stage 4) is granted.

Adopted in the summer of 2008 by the DFG the equality standards have systematically aimed on improving the participation of women in the science system. In a period of five years, member institutions should implement research-oriented standards on gender equality as a matter of obligation and agree on specific targets for increasing numbers of women. For this, an institutional gender concept should be developed, which was judged by a panel of experts.

The final evaluation emphasizes that gender equality at UW was firmly established at the executive level and be promoted as a cross-cutting issue. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity is particularly suited to strengthening the gender equality activities.

The DFG working group acknowledged in its opinion, the gender target agreements between university management and faculties as well as the establishment of budget shares for decentralized equality measures (e.g. jobs for young scientists). As a particularly interesting strategy the idea to accompany appointment procedures of university chairs by a gender consultant was judged. The evaluators also welcomed the plans for the establishment of a center for gender research. Above the gender and diversity professorship in education and social sciences as well as the occupation of a junior professorship in the field of STEM subjects was positively mentioned. Also the participation in the European FP 7 project "Gender Time" was especially noted. 

Original text in German is available here.