Special Commission on Anti-Discrimination has started work

The commission consists of 13 members from within the university who come from different areas and contribute their respective professional and personal perspectives on the topic. The student body is also represented. In addition, there is an external expert: Professor Karim Fereidooni from the Ruhr University Bochum, who specialises in the topic of discrimination. "I am happy and grateful that university members have agreed to participate in this new committee", says Jürgen Bode. "I am also pleased to have the external input of Karim Fereidooni, who is a proven expert in the field of criticism of racism and has experience in planning and implementing measures in anti-discrimination work."

First interim report underway

The first step is to analyse the status quo at H-BRS: What accusations are made, what types of discrimination exist, what do the concrete complaint processes look like? To what extent do the existing structures need to be reconsidered? Where is there a need for improvement? In addition to examining processes and organisational issues, prevention is also a topic. The commission's goal is to propose concrete measures to the university management. The commission is currently working on a first interim report.

Sarah Friedrichs sees the commission as an opportunity: "Diversity activities are getting more attention, and anti-discrimination work is being strengthened," says the Presidential Representative. "The university not only wants to provide students with specialised knowledge, but also to promote their personal development and ensure respectful interaction."

The commission was established at the end of June after allegations of discrimination by a student against a professor became public. These allegations are being investigated independently of the commission's work within the framework of a formal procedure, which is based at the university. This is currently being carried out in compliance with the legal provisions.