Diversity at universities: A successful step towards inclusion!

Diversity at universities: A successful step towards inclusion!

On March 9, 2025 the University of Stuttgart announce the successful completion of their diversity audit “Shaping Diversity”. This process was the result of intensive collaboration between many university members who came from different areas and thus contributed a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Identifying the right contact persons and coordinating the collaboration proved to be challenging, especially given the large number of actors involved.

Barbara Scheubert, the central speaker for diversity management at the university, played a crucial role in this auditing process. Their commitment and ongoing support have been instrumental in the progress that has been made over the last two years. Professor Judith Tonhauser was pleased with the positive assessment of the university's diversity strategy and emphasized that despite the successes we have achieved, there is still a lot of work ahead of us.

Diversity audit as an incentive for the future

The certificate received from the university Donors' Association serves not only as a recognition of the efforts made so far, but also as an incentive to further advance the inclusive university culture. Professor Silke Wieprecht emphasizes the need for continuous re-audits to raise awareness of diversity and promote shared responsibility among all university members. Actively shaping diversity is seen as a task for society as a whole and for the university.

Diversity in academia is more than just a goal; it is a fundamental prerequisite for innovation and progress. Dr. rer. nat. Silvie Klein-Franke, self-employed diversity expert, emphasizes that a diversity of perspectives promotes social, economic and ecological sustainability. Her extensive experience in leading heterogeneous groups and in transformation processes strengthens her belief that heterogeneous teams can provide inspiration and satisfaction, but also harbor risks such as polarization and conflict.

The role of the auditors

As an auditor in the diversity audit, Klein-Franke is committed to ensuring that universities adapt their knowledge of diversity and leadership to their own structure and culture. The audit process is viewed as a learning process and cross-sectional task to build skills for social challenges. A multidisciplinary understanding of diversity, strategic change approaches and participatory moderation methods are essential in order to sustainably use the advantages of diversity.

Raising the University of Stuttgart's profile in the area of ​​diversity has the potential to not only improve the internal climate, but also to make the university attractive as an educational institution for future students. With the successful completion of the audit and the associated certificate, a further step towards an inclusive and sustainable university culture has been taken.