UNIVERSITY OF COLOGNE

Gender awareness, diversity and equality in the TRR 341

The CRC TRR 341 is proud of the diversity of its members. Both early career researchers and project leaders of the program create a community of modern, open-minded individuals, dedicated to fight against all kinds of discriminatory and exclusionary behavior. In the TRR 341 we refute stereotypes and we committ ourselves to mutual respect, understanding and support in order to create an environment that will allow our mebers to freely pursue their scientific and personal goals. 

Equal career opportunities for people irrespective of gender or origin are essential to the community built by the TRR 341.

Gender equality funds will be invested to:

• Promote the career advancement of female members of the CRC (maternity leave fellowships, lab assistance during pregnancy or early motherhood etc.). 
• Create a more family-friendly environment (e.g. day care solutions, "lab days" for children of the CRC members).
• Increase awareness of our members and of the scientific community of gender equality and diversity issues.
• Support lecture series for female scientists ("Women in Science" etc.).
• Support all under-represented groups in the TRR341.

The participating universities are very aware of gender equality, diversity and family-friendly policies, implementing a series of measures to increase the number of female scientists at all levels.

The CRC TRR 341 exploits existing structures in the participating universities to promote career development and opportunities for female and minority scientists:

• Gender-sensitive recruitment procedures.
• The Female Career Program at the University of Cologne provides regular training courses in vital areas, such as networking, presentation, interview techniques aimed at women at different stages of their academic career.
• The Selma Meyer (HHU Düsseldorf) and the Cornelia Harte Mentoring (University of Cologne) programmes combine one-to-one mentoring with general skill training and networking.
• The HEINE-NETZwerk (HHU Düsseldorf) offers network meetings for female scientists.
• Financial support programmes, e.g. hiring a lecturer substitute or a research assistant for female junior researchers with family and teaching obligations, providing child care support or travel costs for accompanying children during a meeting etc.).
• The ‘Comeback’ program (HHU Düsseldorf) supports scientists to re-enter a research career after a parental leave and grants a two-year funding to support the qualification of scientists aiming for a professorship.
• Day care facilities and family support: The Dual Career & Family Support (University of Cologne) and the Family Support Center (HHU Düsseldorf) provide a wide range of advisory services for academics and university members.

At the University of Cologne there are counselling centres offering advice and services in the areas of Diversity and Equal Opportunities.

The Parent-Child room is located in the Biocenter at the UoC (Zülpicher Str. 47b, 50674). It has been financed by equal opportunity funds of the TRR 341 and the excellence cluster CEPLAS. It is intended to improve working conditions for mothers and fathers in periods of increased family responsibilities. The room can be used for undisturbed diapering, breastfeeding or feeding the children and is available for play and rest phases. Athough it is not an alternative to regular childcare services, it is an important step towards improving studying/work - family life balance. For booking and accessing the Parent-Child room please read the Terms of Use.