Gender Equality
Gender mainstreaming is the central strategy for sustainably integrating gender equality processes into the university’s existing structures: All departments at TU Dortmund University carry out the tasks under their responsibility while incorporating gender perspectives. As key actors, the Equal Opportunities Office and the Staff Unit Equal Opportunites, Family, and Diversity support TU Dortmund University in its mission to promote substantive equality for all genders. In their equality plans, the faculties and departments regularly assess their specific situations, identify areas requiring action, set development goals, and devise appropriate measures to advance gender equality. Starting in 2027, the scope of these gender equality plans will be expanded to include equal opportunity and diversity.
The Gender Equality Plan for Parity at TU Dortmund University (2023) (in German) provides a comprehensive analysis of structural data and identifies areas of action for key gender equality initiatives across the entire university. In 2027, the Gender Equality Framework (in German) will also be updated. This will ensure that all faculties and departments, as well as the central administration of TU Dortmund, have established management processes that sharpen the focus on active recruitment and gender-equitable personnel development for both academic and academic support staff.
The Staff Unit Appointment Management oversees all appointment procedures; these procedures are conducted in a standardized manner according to high quality standards to ensure transparency and equal opportunity. Members of appointment committees are educated on the impact of unconscious bias. A workshop offered regularly in cooperation with the equal opportunity officers of all UA-Ruhr universities provides information on gender-equitable design of appointment procedures. In 2024, the proportion of female professors in the faculties at TU Dortmund University averaged 27% overall (as of December 1), which was slightly below the national average. All faculties have set target quotas for recruiting female professors.
To address the gender disparities that exist among students in some departments, TU Dortmund University takes measures such as gender-specific initiatives organized by the respective departments and centrally coordinated mentoring programs designed to counter gender-stereotypical patterns in course selection.
In collaboration with the universities of the UA Ruhr, the mentoring³ program program - which has been in place for more than 20 years - supports female doctoral candidates and women with doctoral degrees as they pursue careers in academia. Like those offered by the Graduate Center at TU Dortmund University, the programs provided by the Research Academy Ruhr are predominantly attended by women (over 50% of participants are women, and there is no admission quota). The Female Faculty Club brings together all female professors at TU Dortmund University for discussions that transcend faculty boundaries. The UA Ruhr-wide certificate program “Diversity and Gender” (in German) offers students the opportunity to engage in an in-depth and interdisciplinary exploration of issues related to diversity, social justice, and power dynamics.
The Working Group on Abuse of Power at TU Dortmund University, established by the rector, has an impact throughout the entire university. It raises awareness of unequal power dynamics in the university context and discusses potential solutions for addressing abusive behavior.
TU Dortmund University takes a clear stand against gender-based violence - based on the Policy on Protection Against Discrimination and Sexualized Violence (in German). The Central Counseling Center for Protection Against Discrimination and Sexualized Violence (SchuDS) provides counseling and support to those affected. Awareness-raising campaigns take place on campus, particularly around 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women). A campus escort service, available around the clock, enhances individuals’ sense of safety, while the hazard site inspection conducted every two years by the Equal Opportunities Office regularly draws attention to locations on campus that may subjectively cause discomfort.
TU Dortmund University recommends that its students and employees use inclusive and gender-equitable language. The Equal Opportunities Office provides comprehensive information and support on this topic. As part of the university’s internal continuing education program, training sessions are regularly dedicated to the topic of inclusive language use.