Board for Gender Equality and Diversity

One part of our equal opportunity work focusses on promoting the career progression of female scientists of the CRC, not only by advancing their professional competencies, but also by strengthening confidence and supporting them in expanding their networks. Therefore, we organize empowerment workshops, individual coaching, and trainings addressing topics such as research presentation, communication, resilience, or imposter experiences. 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.

Additionally, from 2021 to 2024, we announced the annual “Future Rural Africa Female Researcher's Grant”, providing financial support for outstanding female researchers. The aim of the grant was 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 could increase its visibility and establish new cooperations in the Global South through the grant.

Both Universities of Bonn and Cologne implement further gender equality and diversity schemes, including training and workshop programs. For further information, please visit the website of the Female Career Programme (University of Cologne) and the website of the Gender Equality Office (University of Bonn).

Moreover, 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). At the University of Bonn, the MeTra-Programme is open for female PhD-candidates, PostDocs and scientists on their way to a professorship. Participants of the respective mentoring programs can apply to the Board for Gender Equality and Diversity for covering costs such as travel costs that arise as part of the mentoring program.

Another important part of our work focusses on raising awareness of the significance of diversity, gender equality, and inclusion, fostering an inclusive culture that appreciates differences in a respectful and empathetic way. This includes sensitisation work concerning gender roles, gender diversity, intersectionality, or cultural diversity as well as structural inequalities, sexual harassment and discrimination. Therefore, we don’t only address the dimension of gender but focus on a more intersectional approach by exploring the relation between gender and other dimensions, such as race, ethnic identity, and age, and how the interplay is shaping existing hierarchies and power asymmetries. In the context of scientific North-South partnerships like the CRC, it is particularly important to reflect on power asymmetries within international research cooperation.

In addition to supporting marginalized groups, we also want to encourage more privileged members of the CRC to reflect on power asymmetries, to recognize unconscious biases and to acquire diversity competence.

The CRC is committed to creating and maintaining a work, learning, and research environment where all members and guests feel safe, respected, and heard. Thus, we do not tolerate any form of discrimination, verbal or physical harassment, or abuse of power. If you or another CRC member is experiencing discrimination or harassment, you can contact any member of the CRC Board for Gender Equality and Diversity.

If you have 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 equal opportunity work focusses on increasing the compatibility of work and family. This includes the coordination and financing of daycare places in (cooperation) daycare centres, childcare during events as well as emergency childcare for children who are not of school age. Moreover, members of the Universities of Bonn and Cologne can apply for subsidy of travel costs for children during field trips. Unfortunately, the availability of these and further support measures depends on your university affiliation. Therefore, please consult with the Board for Gender Equality and Diversity if you have a need for childcare or elder care and we will discuss the options together.

In general, please note that there is a limit of 600 Euros per CRC-member per year for childcare related expenses. This limit cannot be exceeded, even if several offers are used.

Besides, the Board for Gender Equality and Diversity funded two “kid’s boxes” for the CRC, which are mobile parent-child rooms for the workplace. They are located at the GSSC in Cologne, and at the Geozentrum in Bonn. Please contact us if you want to use one of the boxes.

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.

Dual Career & Family Support (University of Cologne)

The Dual Career and Family Support (CFS) is the central point at the University of Cologne for information, counselling 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”.

Office of Family Services (University of Bonn)

The Office of Family Services is a central body at the University of Bonn for 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.

Educational equity and participation

Both the University of Bonn and Cologne offer several programmes to strengthen educational equity, inclusion and participation. For example, the University of Cologne offers the First Generation Doctorate Mentoring programme and has installed qualification grants for junior researchers with disabilities. The University of Bonn has established the Pathways to Research programme for undergraduate and graduate students with a refugee or migration background.

For more information on university-wide equal opportunity programs, please visit the websites of the Universities of Bonn and Cologne. There you can find lists of counselling centres, measures and events in the fields of anti-discrimination, gender equality, anti-racism, critique of antisemitism, educational equity, family awareness, and inclusion.