Board for Gender Equality and Diversity

One part of our gender equality work focusses on promoting the career progression of female scientists of the CRC Future Rural Africa, not only by advancing their professional competencies, but also by strengthening self-awareness and supporting them in expanding their networks. Therefore, we initiate diverse seminars such as empowerment workshops, individual coaching and trainings addressing topics such as research presentation, communication, and resilience. Additionally, we provide financial support. In 2021, we introduced the “Future Rural Africa Female Researcher's Grant”.

The aim of the grant is to support female researchers from the Global South at an early stage of their career to expand their network and to develop further expertise. At the same time, the CRC can increase its visibility and establish new cooperations in the Global South through the grant.

Female researchers of the CRC can apply for scientific mentoring or personal coaching using the linked forms. All applications are dealt with confidentially and decisions are made on an individual basis.

Both Universities of Bonn and Cologne implement further gender equality schemes. The participation fees of workshops concerning gender equality can be covered by the fund of the Board for Gender Equality and Diversity, where required.

Both the University of Cologne and Bonn offer mentoring programmes. The University of Cologne offers the Cornelia Harte Mentoring, mentoring with the Gender Mentoring Agency and the IFS mentoring programme for international female scholars (for the three programs the application deadline is in autumn). Furthermore, the First Generation Doctorate Mentoring programme is offered. At the University of Bonn, the MeTra-Programme is open for PhD-candidates, PostDocs and scientists on their way to a professorship. Participants of the respective mentoring programs can apply for funding from the Board for Gender Equality and Diversity to cover costs such as travel costs that arise as part of the mentoring program.

Another important part of our work focusses on raising awareness. This includes sensitisation work concerning gender equality as well as gender roles, gender diversity and intersectionality. The intersection of gender and race in particular plays an important role in the context of scientific North-South partnerships like the CRC, which is why we want to raise awareness for these dynamics. Besides addressing the women working at the CRC, we also want to encourage male members to reflect on privileges and hierarchies as well. Therefore we conduct a wide variety of events for all genders.

If you have ideas or suggestions for a measure to raise awareness, please contact the Board for Gender Equality and Diversity: crc228-genderboard@uni-koeln.de.

The third pillar of our equality work focusses on increasing the compatibility of work and family. This includes the organisation of childcare during events and business trips as well as the coordination of daycare.

If there is need for daycare in addition to regular daycare facilities, CRC-members can apply each year for up to 60 hours in the Back-up-Service (emergency care). The Back-up-Service provides high quality one-to-one care. From the 60 fundable hours, per week up to 15 hours can be used per child. Please note that food must be paid extra. If you are interested in using this service, please send an e-mail to the Board for Gender Equality and Diversity: crc228-genderboard@uni-koeln.de.

To ensure childcare during fieldwork or business trips, travel costs for children and accompanying persons can be subsidised up to 600 Euros. For an application, please consult with the Board for Gender Equality and Diversity. For more information and the application form see the website of the Dual Career & Family Support of the University of Cologne.

Please note that there is a limit of 600 Euros per CRC-member per year for childcare related expenses (such as childcare during events and business trips, the Back-Up-Service and travel cost subsidies for children and accompanying persons). This limit cannot be exceeded, even if several offers are used.

The Board for Gender Equality and Diversity funded two “kid’s boxes” for the CRC, which are mobile parent-child rooms for the workplace.

Furthermore, members of the CRC who have special care responsibilities can apply for a student assistant to assist with their academic tasks using this form.

The CFS is the central point at the University of Cologne for information, counseling and services concerning the compatibility of family and career. The services include personal advice, child- and eldercare support, care funds as well as the education program “Fokus Vereinbarkeit”.

The Office of Family Services is a central body at the University of Bonn concerning the improvement of the compatibility of family and career. Together with the Gender Equality Office (University of Bonn), it offers several services, such as counselling, the coordination of childcare and financial support.