At TUM, diversity can be found on many different levels - in terms of age, gender, culture, language, health, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or religion. For the Department of Sport and Health Sciences (SG), the topic of diversity is a core concern. Already since 2013, there has therefore been the annual diversity report, which has now been published for the tenth time in total.
"One focus of this year's diversity report is on the scientific examination of diversity in different and overarching projects of the scientific institutions, such as the diversity aspects in child and adolescent health, which was the focus of the founding of the CHAMPION science center or the Future of Health Summit," explains Andrea Göttler, the Department's Diversity Officer. "Furthermore, the report focuses on restoring international collaborations and exchange formats that were limited during the COVID-19 pandemic. A third focus is addressing 'unconscious bias' as a long-term issue. We are interested, for example, in how diversity can be permanently embedded in course content." This topic will then be looked at in more detail during Diversity Awareness Week, May 22-26.
Each year, the Diversity Report presents a selection of current research projects and research articles from the various diversity-related institutions. A total of 20 diversity-related projects were conducted at the Department. In addition, the cooperation with the TUM SEED Center was continued in 2022. For 2023, the Chair of Epidemiology was successful in obtaining DFG funding for two workshops to be held in Ghana and Germany. Furthermore, 15 journal articles, one book and two book chapters were published.
In addition, with the "Summer School: One Health and the Role of Water" in Kenya and the workshop "Developing a Collaboration on Cervical Cancer Prevention in Ghana" of the Chair of Epidemiology, two events in the field of diversity took place. Diversity also played an important role in the teaching of the courses. In particular, the topics of diversity, inequalities and inclusion were considered in 18 courses in the winter semester 2021/22 and in 15 courses in the summer semester 2022. Furthermore, a total of 18 international visiting scholars were invited to the Department on the topic.
"These numbers prove once again that the entire Department excels in its commitment to diversity," Göttler said. "This includes the Diversity Report on the one hand, but also the Diversity Prize for Theses, which is awarded annually as part of the Absolvia celebration."
The 2022 Diversity Prize was awarded to Carolin Kämmle, Selina Koch (both bachelor's theses) and Dorothea Schönbach (doctoral thesis). They each received 500 euros in prize money.
In addition, PD Dr. Katharina Crepaz from the Chair of Social Determinants of Health received the Habilitation Prize of the Friends of TUM, which is endowed with 1,500 euros. The prize was awarded for her habilitation on the topic "Fostering Political Participation, Representation, and Well-Being: Why Diversity and Inclusion Governance Matters", which was supervised by Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Wacker.
Furthermore, the Sociology of Diversity Unit coordinates research and internship stays at the TUM research station in Kenya. In 2022, 14 students were in Kenya to implement projects on site. The majority of the research stays took place at the TUM partner station at Desturi Junior School. Two projects were also carried out at Malindi Subcounty Hospital.
Since the compatibility of study/work and family is a central focus of the Department's gender equality efforts, family-friendly offerings have been continuously expanded. Among other things, flexible childcare is available upon request for events, conferences, meetings, or official appointments that fall outside of regular childcare hours. Furthermore, it is possible to borrow a mobile KidsBox, which allows concerned parents to care for their offspring at the workplace in the event of a short-term childcare shortfall, illness or during vacation periods. This KidsBox is a mobile parent-child room that contains toys for babies and children up to elementary school age and also offers sleeping and changing facilities.
To the Diversity Report 2022 of the Department of Sport and Health Sciences
More information about diversity at the Department of Sport and Health Sciences
Contact:
Andrea Göttler
Diversity Officer Department of Sport and Health Sciences
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 München
phone: 089 289 24694
e-mail: diversity(at)sg.tum.de
Text: Romy Schwaiger
Photo: Diversity Report 2022