Equality
Diversity in research expands the pool of talented researchers, bringing in fresh perspectives, talent and creativity. By embracing individuals from diverse backgrounds, we cultivate an inclusive environment that enhances scientific discourse and drives innovation. The Faculty's leadership actively works against the structural barriers that female researchers, parents, and members of underrepresented groups face in academia.
Gender Balance at the Faculty | Women in Biology | Equal Opportunities Working Party | International Day of Women and Girls in Science | u:respect
Gender Balance at the Faculty of Life Sciences
The Faculty of Life Sciences has a strong commitment to gender balance, with women representing 50.8% of the academic staff and between 50% and 80% of the student body. A proactive recruitment strategy has successfully increased the proportion of female tenure-track professors to 55%. To further support early career researchers, the Faculty annually awards the Gertrud Pleskot Award to highly qualified female postdoctoral researchers in recognition of their outstanding publication record. To ensure continued progress in gender equality, the Faculty management works closely with the Equal Opportunities Working Party to proactively address potential challenges.
Women in Biology Initiative
In order to fight the uphill battle of glass ceilings and leaky pipelines together, a number of female scientists in our Faculty formed the Women in Biology (WoBio) initiative in 2015. They run career workshops, networking events and highlight the achievements of women in our Faculty. The goal is clear: equal representation of women and men across all roles and levels of leadership at the Faculty. The initiative has full and continuous backing of the Faculty leadership. The network is very active and welcomes new members - so if you would like to join them, visit their website and keep an eye out for their next meeting!
Equal Opportunities Working Party
The Equal Opportunities Working Party of the University of Vienna offers confidential counselling and support to all university members who have experienced discrimination, bullying, or sexual harassment. It also monitors recruitment and habilitation procedures and advocates for non-discrimination across all areas of university life. Within the Equal Opportunities Working Party, Virginie Canoine, Agnes Dellinger and Iris Stappen are representing the scientific staff of our Faculty. General staff members are represented by Herbert Gasser.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
The campaign for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which takes place every February, celebrates all female* scientists in STEM fields. Our aim is to showcase the diversity within the sciences by highlighting fifty-seven women* scientists and their research interests from our Faculty.
u:respect
The u:respect – No room for harassment! campaign focuses on gender-based violence and on sexual harassment in particular. It intends to strengthen the prevention and encourage a sensitive approach to such incidents while also highlighting the support services and the complaints processes available at the University of Vienna.
With the campaign slogan Be attentive. Speak out. Take it seriously. the culture of shared responsibility is consciously strenghtened and encouraged.
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derknopfdrueckerWe all share responsibility for fostering an inclusive and respectful environment. Discrimination based on gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, cultural background, skin color or religion is not tolerated at our faculty.
The Dean's Team
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