Diversity

At the University of Vienna, we value diversity and actively encourage people from different backgrounds to participate in research, teaching and everyday life. Their perspectives and experiences not only enrich the academic community, they also contribute to a better understanding of the complex challenges society is facing and to developing lasting solutions. Thus, a diverse university culture benefits scientific excellence and social responsibility at the same time.

What does diversity entail?

Diversity describes the variety among people and groups: their differences as well as what the have in common. Depending on the context – societal or academic –, this variety can entail benefits or disadvantages, privileges or discrimination. Diversity concerns everyone and manifests on an individual, institutional and structural level.

At the University of Vienna, we know that an equitable and inclusive university culture means addressing diversity and dealing with it constructively. The Affirmative Action Plan for the Advancement of Women and Gender Equality of the University of Vienna is the foundation for this work.

Diversity in everyday life

At the University of Vienna, we consider diversity to be a fundamental experience in human relationships. Therefore, our approach transcends individual dimensions of diversity: We critically examine how different forms of discrimination and power structures intersect. We offer various spaces for encounters, communication and learning, where diversity becomes apparent and an important part of our interactions. When designing these spaces, we always take diversity into account. The different dimensions of diversity tie into the university’s global strategy.

Based on our diversity strategy “Diversity in action”, we developed the approach “Multiply Diversity!” which presented 15 independent projects. For this work, the University of Vienna received the Diversitas Award from the Ministry of Education, Science and Research in 2018 and 2022.

Dimensions of diversity

The University’s diversity strategy is based on the model 4 Layers of Diversity by Gardenswartz and Rowe (2003). It serves to make organisations’ diversity dimensions visible – including characteristics legally protected from discrimination as well as other dimensions that shape social positioning, privileges and disadvantages.

The dimensions mentioned are not to be considered exhaustive. Forms of diversity and discrimination can vary according to context and change over time.

The layer of organisational dimensions in this model has been adapted to a university context to be used by the University of Vienna. Also, two key dimensions were added: