Diversity Audit „Vielfalt gestalten“ (Shaping Diversity)
Together with ten other universities, the University of Cologne is participating in the Diversity Audit "Vielfalt gestalten" (Shaping Diversity) of the Stifterverband. The aim of the audit is to support the university in developing a strategy that promotes productive and non-discriminatory interaction with students and staff. If the auditing process is successfully completed, the university will receive the certificate "Vielfalt gestalten" (Shaping Diversity) at the end of 2018.
The strategy development comprises the three thematic focal points "Inklusion" (Inclusion), "Bildungsgerechtigkeit" (Educational Justice) and "Antidiskriminierung" (Anti-discrimination), which are dealt with in subprojects. After the end of the audit, "racism critique" has developed as a new strategic thematic field out of the field of anti-discrimination.
The auditing process was accompanied by an external auditor, Dr.' Karoline Spelsberg-Papazoglou from the Folkwang University of the Arts.
2023, the University of Cologne successfully completed the re-audit and is allowed to bear the certificate for another three years. The Critical Peers Prof. Dr. Karim Fereidooni (Ruhr-Universität Bochum), Prof. Dr. Angeklika Epple (Universität Bielefeld) and Georg Teichert (Universität Leipzig) were "visibly impressed" by the approaches to diversity. In comparison to other universities in Germany, the University of Cologne was also far ahead and could even be considered a "lighthouse" in Germany in the field of racism criticism and anti-discrimination, said the Critical Peers in their final report. Among other things, the commitment of the students and the autonomous units was particularly emphasised. The peers see a need for improvement above all in making the complaint and counselling structure visible and centralising it, in systematising compensation for disadvantages and in implementing sustainable resources.