Gender, Diversity and Equal Opportunity

This diversity stands for variety, on the one hand, and for a conscious perception of differences, on the other hand. Some of these differences are more easily recognised, such as those based on physical characteristics, language, age, or gender, and some are addressed in legal provisions that offer clear protection against discrimination.

Other differences are rarely recognised “at first glance”, but are extremely important for people working together in an organization like TU Graz, such as experiences, knowledge, skills, social skills, networks, or social and professional status.

Due to the low proportion of women in the university's core research and teaching areas, gender continues to be one of the most relevant aspects of diversity at TU Graz. This is why we consciously refer to “gender and diversity”, and women are explicitly promoted.

Our work is based on legal regulations, binding guidelines and strategic goals of TU Graz. These include:

• the Mission Statement of TU Graz
• the Code of Conduct at TU Graz
• the Action Plan for the Advancement of Women
• the Affirmative Action Plan, in German: Gleichstellungsplan
• the Gender Equality Plan (GEP)
• the Development Plan, in German: Entwicklungsplan
• the The Universities Act 2002, in German: Universitätsgesetz 2002
• the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations
• the Recommendations of the Higher Education Conference on broadening gender competence in higher education processes, in German: HSK-Empfehlungen zur Verbreiterung der Genderkompetenz

In cooperation with the Gender Workshop Graz, TU Graz has developed the course “Gender and Diversity Skills for Scientists at TU Graz”. The course is held in German. Please find more information on the German website.

Scientists from all seven TU Graz faculties give insights into their current research in this public lecture series. They show how they address diversity issues and gain added value for their research.

The lecture series is held every 2^nd summer semester, the next course is planned for the summer semester 2025.

Gender- and diversity-sensitive didactics for teachers is offered at the Teaching Academy. You can find all offers here: In-house training

Support provided for integrating diversity and gender aspects into teaching: Teachers can take advantage of individual counselling or use the materials provided (handbook for diversity-sensitive teaching)

Visiting professorships: maximum 4-month visiting professorships with a gender and diversity focus

The Service Point for Accessible Learning has compiled a guide to inclusive teaching (in German: Leitfaden für eine inklusive Lehre) that provides concrete and practical suggestions on how courses for students with disabilities and/or chronic and mental illnesses can be designed to be inclusive and as accessible as possible. The Service Point also offers individual consultations on this topic.

• Scope: 6 one-and-a-half-day modules, two-hour kick-off and two-hour closing event as well as accompanied and unaccompanied peer group meetings between the modules and supplementary fireside chats, which are also open to previous graduates
• Timeframe: Training No. 4 starts in fall 2025, runs until June 2026 and concludes with an official certificate handover event in fall 2026.
• Target groups: Scientists at TU Graz, affiliated research institutions and regional cooperation universities, university teachers and researchers from the doctorate/PhD onwards, for scientists in career positions the course can be accredited for the qualification agreement
• Application and submission deadline: At TU Graz, an official nomination is made by the deans of the faculties. Academic staff of affiliated research institions can be nominated by the respective management. Interest in the course can also be expressed at any time to the contact person at the Equity, Youth, Care Unit. If possible, places will also be made available to interested parties from regional partner universities.
• Costs: The course is free of charge for scientists of TU Graz and for those of affiliated research institutions. Participants from partner universities have to pay a participation fee.
• Completion: The course is usually completed with a practical assignment and the certificate Gender and Diversity Competencies for Scientists in Engineering and Natural Sciences.

Equity, Youth, Care

Philipp ROUSCHAL
Tel.: +316 873 7096
team.diversitynoSpam@tugraz.at

TU Graz is committed to welcoming all people, regardless of their gender and sexuality, and to reducing structural inequalities. To this end, measures are taken in the areas of promoting young talent, personnel development and infrastructure, e.g.:

• Gender-neutral Language and Images: All genders – including transgender, intergender and non-binary people – should be addressed equally and made visible using language and images. To help with this, there is a chapter dedicated to gender-sensitive writing in the corporate wording of TU Graz.
• All gender toilets: For transgender, intersex and non-binary staff, students and guests: There are twelve publicly accessible all-gender toilets, some of which are equipped with changing tables: go.tugraz.at/AllGenderToilets
• Exchange platform “More gender diversity in Higher Education” (GenderNow!+): Recurring meetings are held with transgender, intersex and non-binary people and university representatives to develop measures on an equal footing and give participants a voice.

Awareness-raising, information, and training opportunities

Sexual harassment is still considered a ‘taboo’ topic, and many people do not know very much about the subject. For these reasons, you will find information and learn how you can support our efforts to promote a respectful university culture on the Info Portal: Sexual Harassment and Gender-based Violence.

Career management programme for female scientists at TU Graz in management positions and with professorships and tenure track positions

n order to promote academic careers for women at TU Graz, the university advertises tenure tracks specifically for women. A tenure track is a “post-doc” position with the possibility of further academic progression.

Looking for exchange and support? Women get together – become part of our peer coaching network! 

Dates: instagram.com/tugrazpeercoaching

Interested in becoming a peer coach yourself? The training starts in mid-October. Apply by the end of September at: gabrielenoSpam@burgsteiner.at

Workshops for female doctoral candidates. Further information on page Advancement of Women in Academia

Platform for institutions that support gender equality, the advancement of women, and gender research at Austrian universities: genderplattform.at

Platform for institutions to support gender equality, equal opportunity, and gender studies at the Graz universities and universities of applied sciences. Joint campaigns and events around March 8 and beyond.

The alumni women's network of TU Graz - WomenUniverse - is aimed at female graduates, female students and all women who are interested in the connection between science and business. WomenUniverse

Alliance of nine technical universities in Europe: www.unite-university.eu

• Department for Women's Policy and Equality
• Queer Department
• Department for Social Affairs