Equal Opportunity
- Gender-Mainstreaming
The principle of gender-mainstreaming is inscribed in the Charter of the University of Erfurt, and has been implemented in the institution’s family-policy, its gender equity plan, the family compatible University programme supported by the Hertie Foundation, and in University’s agreement on objectives with the State of Thuringia. Since the university recognizes the social context within which researcher’s live their lives it is committed to the aim of equal opportunity and the improvement of conditions for reconciling pro¬fessional demands with those of the family. The fulfilment of these aims in the long term are considered one of the University’s main responsibilities and seen as major aspect of campus culture. All faculties and departments of the University of Erfurt are required to commit themselves to these aims and comply with the standards that have been set.
As the Max-Weber-Kolleg Erfurt primarily recruits scholars at the senior level it is confronted with a gender imbalance in favour of male researchers. Therefore the appointment of women plays a central role in the recruitment process of researchers at the Max-Weber-Kolleg Erfurt. Gender issues are considered at every level of the process and controlled by the Equal Opportunity Commissioner of the Max-Weber-Kolleg Erfurt who plays an integral part in all selection processes. He/she sits on all evaluation or selection commissions and is a full member of the Kollegrat.
- Family Policy
The University of Erfurt considers its family policy and family mainstreaming a highly positive factor in attracting applications. Its pioneering role in this area was already recognized in 2005 when it was the first university in Thuringia converted into a Certified Family Compatible University (confirmed after re-evaluation in 2008 and 2011). Through its participation in this programme, the University has taken a major step towards long-term advances in reconciling professional and family demands. The measures taken include the flexible organisation of academic work in view of responsibilities for child-rearing and care of elderly dependents, family compatible organisa¬tion of further training and academic committee meetings. Moreover the University introduced a Keep-in-Touch programme to aid the individuals in the process of re-entering their profession after a temporary break for family-reasons. Parent-child areas have been set up in the University cafeteria and the library, as well as facilities for childcare during the semester and vacation. Our Kindergarten ‘Campus-Kinderland’ is located in a recently inaugurated building on university grounds and provides care facilities and personnel for children between one to six years. This regular child care programme is complemented by a special, flexible child care system for evenings and the weekend. The infrastructure of the campus is family friendly with playgrounds, baby changing rooms and special chairs for small children.
- Intersectoral Crossings
New for the University of Erfurt is the issue of equal opportunity in relation to intersectoral crossings. It will be addressed systematically for the first time through the framework of MWK-FELLOWS. The Max-Weber-Kolleg Erfurt has made excellent experiences with fellows from outside academia. With the MWK-FELLOWS programme these intersectoral crossings will be improved. Intersectorality will be systematically supported.
