“The job can be challenging but I enjoy it and it inspires me”
Harriet Ziegler is the new Coordinator for Diversity Management at FAU, and has ambitious plans.
“Fairness has always been a guiding principle for me,” says Harriet Ziegler. Harriet Ziegler has been at FAU since 2014, initially as a research associate in German Language and Literature. In July 2023, she began a new position: as the Coordinator for Diversity Management she works to combat discrimination and encourage inclusion.
Together with various internal and external cooperation partners, the 35 year old develops specific measures to raise awareness of issues such as accessibility, abuse of power or harassment across the whole of FAU and to ensure that all members of FAU are well informed when it comes to such topics. “My job is proactive, I would like to do my bit to encourage people in management to take a more sensitive approach to possible problems,” she explains. Her aim: All members of FAU should be able to realize their unique and valuable potential, irrespective of gender, ethnic or social background, age, religion, sexual orientation or disability.
She organizes training courses and workshops, driving the strategic and structural development of the University. Harriet Ziegler is also an independent point of contact pursuant to Section 25 BayHIG (Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act). This means that she is the first point of contact when FAU members require advice in the event of (sexual) harassment or discrimination.
“We all have a responsibility to do something” – an interview with Harriet Ziegler, Coordinator for Diversity Management at FAU
Why do we need someone who is responsible for diversity management at FAU?
There has been a positive trend in recent years: Our society is becoming more and more diverse, and as a result so are the students at our University. However, it is not always plain sailing from the beginning. Whenever a lot of different people with different abilities come together, there is inevitably a certain degree of friction. It is important to intervene at this point. For example, to raise awareness of the fact that we might need to change the way we live and work together. I think there is definitely work to be done in this area. Diversity management was established at FAU in 2012, and has been expanded ever since. That is important, as it is the central interface between university administration, students and the entire academic and support staff in the area of diversity and equality. Diversity management is therefore a central institution that is involved in and helps shape the cross-sectional tasks of equality, internationalization, sustainability and digitalization. We all have a responsibility to ensure that it succeeds.
If someone approaches you with a problem or a concern, what is the situation regarding anonymity?
The meetings are absolutely confidential, and can be held anonymously if so requested. No action is taken against the will of the person seeking advice, data is not forwarded to anyone else. The person seeking advice always holds the reins and decides what should happen next.
Could you give us an example of what an initial consultation might be like?
That varies greatly depending on how the person seeking advice wants to proceed. A meeting can be held in person, by telephone or via Zoom. Usually, people only come to me after having suffered in silence for a long time. I do my best to create a calm and safe atmosphere, I take my time and I listen carefully. First of all, I let them talk, and I may ask some questions to clarify my understanding of what has happened, but I do not push for information. Together, we then discuss the various options for action – what might be helpful, what would the person seeking advice like? Depending on the situation, this can lead to specific next steps, for example organizing a meeting with the supervisor or submitting an official complaint. Sometimes further legal, psychological or professional advice is necessary, and then I will refer the person to the relevant institutions, or give them more information. Sometimes just talking about the situation with me as a sympathetic, neutral entity is enough to see the situation in a different light and assess it differently. Then there is no need for any further action.
What makes your job so exciting for you?
Every day is different! Thanks to my many different tasks I work with many different people from all different areas, no matter which position they hold. I meet a lot of exciting and wonderful people, learn about their experiences, their lives and their areas of expertise. It can be challenging, but I am very open and outgoing, which is why I see it as a source of inspiration. I even find something positive about the more difficult areas of my job, the consultations for example. It moves me and makes me very proud to see people bravely standing up for themselves and their concerns. Over all, I believe my job is very worthwhile. The vision of a fair and non-discriminatory university reflects what is for me the ideal picture of society.
Those are very ambitious plans. What is in the pipeline?
We have a lot of plans, some larger than others! A few examples:
The areas of diversity and anti-discrimination will become more strongly anchored in the faculties. Diversity officers should be appointed at each of the faculties, as stipulated in the Diversity Concept passed in 2022. Major projects are also in the pipeline for the area of inclusion. For example, at the current time there are no handouts providing lecturers with guidance on how to effectively teach students with disabilities. There is no material covering topics such as what are the person’s rights? What can I do to help students follow the material as well as possible? Until now, there has been no alternative but to click through a lot of websites and phone any number of people to track down the information you need. I would like to compile all the relevant information centrally.
In addition, the Office of Equality and Diversity is launching their #FAUrespect campaign against sexual harassment in autumn, including contributions designed by students. We also offer tried and trusted workshops and other events, for example an event on starting a career with a disability that brings students and employers together, or a workshop for first-generation academics led by a well-known drama teacher. There is a lot to look forward to!
Further information
Office of Equality and Diversity
gender-und-diversity@fau.de