Encouraging instead of waiting: how targeted appreciation and confidence strengthen diversity of perspectives and professional development

What factors could lead to some people being less likely to volunteer for challenging tasks or presentations? What role do different socialization experiences and expectations play - and how does this affect the way we work together in teams and at KIT?

In this interactive workshop, we will shed light on gender-specific differences with a focus on resources, diversity and structural conditions.

We will also take a look at the concept of role incongruence and discuss why women cannot simply act "like men" without encountering different expectations or reactions - and vice versa.

We show how encouragement, appreciation and a consciously designed environment can help more people to become more aware of their strengths and use them, to recognize stumbling blocks and to actively use conditions to their advantage - without having to pretend to be someone else.

This supportive cooperation leads to better decisions, more productive meetings and a more respectful working atmosphere - with positive effects on collaboration, research, innovation and results.

What can you expect?

• Raising awareness of gender-specific differences in communication, application and career behavior and their causes.
• Introduction to the concept of role incongruence - and how different expectations influence behavior.
• Reflection on your own (unconscious) biases and concrete approaches and possible actions for profitable and successful collaboration.
• Strategies to create an environment that makes it possible for everyone to contribute and develop.

Location: KIT, Campus South
Target group: all
Duration: 4h
Time: 09:00 - 13:00

Registration

Diversity in Teaching - Creating Inclusive and Fair Learning Enviroments

Universities are increasingly diverse spaces where students bring a wide range of experiences, backgrounds, and learning needs. Navigating this diversity in a thoughtful and appreciative way - especially in teaching and assessment - can be both enriching and challenging. This workshop provides practical guidance on how to design courses that acknowledge student diversity, promote transparency, and support equitable learning opportunities.

Through interactive discussions and reflective activities, participants will explore how to make room for different approaches to learning, how to communicate expectations clearly, and how to create fair and accessible teaching frameworks. We will also examine the role of biases in everyday teaching practices and develop strategies to reduce their impact.

Topics we will address during the workshop:

• Diversity of student backgrounds and how these differences can shape learning.
• Transparent teaching and assessment practices that foster fairness and academic success.
• Practical ways to design learning environments that accommodate various approaches.
• Inclusive language and accessibility as elements of diversity-sensitive teaching.
• Understanding biases and their influence on behavior in teaching contexts.
• Anti-bias strategies and actionable steps to promote equitable learning conditions.

Location: Online
Target group: All teaching staff
Duration: 4h
Time: 09:00-13:00

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Mind the Trap - Awareness of the fine line between pattern and prejudice

As human beings, we make sense of the world and others by relying on certain perception patterns. However, sometimes we take it too far and fall into the trap of prejudice. In this workshop, we practice how to recognize our patterns and how to use them without stereotyping in every day (intercultural) communication.
This workshop is open to all members of KIT and will be part of the HoC-Empowerment-Series NEXT LEVEL YOU.

Location: Onsite
Target group: All members of KIUT
Duration: 1,5 hours
Time: 17:30 - 19:00

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Lecture: Enabling inclusive collaboration between people with and without visual impairments

What does it mean when vision deteriorates? How can people with and without visual impairments work together without barriers? In the InclusiveVR@Work project, together with the IOSB Fraunhofer Institute, we have developed a prototype that enables everyone to work on shared content in virtual reality (VR), regardless of their individual vision. In this event, we will show what possibilities VR offers for people with visual impairments.

Location: Online
Target group: all employees
Duration: 1 hour
Time: 11:00 -12:00

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Responsible Leadership meets Diversity

How do sea turtles and diversity go together? What do famous astronauts have to do with emotional intelligence? And how can a cab ride on the way to Schlossallee be combined with responsible diversity-oriented leadership? If you are curious and want answers to these unusual questions and to hear more about the strong connection between diversity, leadership and human emotions, then you have come to the right place: "Responsible Leadership meets Diversity OR what the code of facial expressions reveals about our emotions".

In an interactive workshop, you will discover in a playful way what effective powers "emotion recognition" can unfold in leadership and cooperation and strengthen empathy. You can expect an insight into the culturally specific world of body language - an invitation to perceive your own reality with different eyes.
An examination of your own individual ability to recognize emotions is part of the offer. You can check your ability to recognize emotions in advance using the READ test*. You will receive your result in person at the workshop.

Location: Presence
Target group: Managers
Duration: 6 hours
Time: 09:00 - 15:00

Registration

From attitude to action: understanding and living allyship

How can employees act in solidarity in their day-to-day work, recognize discrimination and provide effective support - without patronizing or overburdening others? The interactive online workshop offers a practical introduction to the concept of allyship, critically examines opportunities and limitations and provides concrete options for action for typical situations in the university context.

Objectives: The participants

• gain an overview of the concept of allyship and related topics such as inequalities, discrimination, power relations, etc. and their significance at KIT
• recognize discrimination, exclusions and microaggressions in typical situations at universities (e.g. in courses, committees, supervision, teamwork)
• develop concrete, realistic options for dealing with challenging situations in everyday working life with a focus on role clarity and responsibility

Contents:

• Introduction to allyship: What does allyship mean? Origin, goals, relevance and impact
• Inequalities at KIT: Reflection on own roles and positions; power relations in teaching, research, administration and supervision; responsibility in different positions
• Recognizing discrimination in everyday working life: Forms of discrimination; microaggressions and structural exclusions; intersectional perspectives
• Strategies for action in practice: allyship in specific situations: e.g. meetings, seminars, examinations, supervision, conflicts in the team; speak up or remain silent? / Intervene or support?

Location: Online
Target group: all employees
Duration: 3 hours
Time: 09:00 - 12:00

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09:00 - 13:00 Uhr

Language shows attitude

Together, we would like to explore how conscious formulation in everyday working life can contribute to appreciative, inclusive cooperation.
Ludwig Wittgenstein reminds us: "The limits of my language are the limits of my world." This quote makes it clear how closely language, perception and attitude are linked. Our words not only determine how we communicate, but also which spaces we open - or close - for others.
In the workshop you can expect

• an understandable overview of the basics of non-discriminatory language
• Practical formulation examples for everyday working life
• suggestions on how language can strengthen an open and respectful culture
• Space for exchange and questions from your practice

The KIT Anti-Discrimination Office is looking forward to your participation and a stimulating exchange

Location: Presence
Target group: All employees
Duration: 3 hours
Time: 10:00 - 13:00

Registration

Planning Ahead: Legal Advance Directives in Germany

What happens if you're suddenly unable to speak for yourself in Germany? As an international employee at KIT, you might assume your partner automatically makes your medical decisions. But German law works differently - and without the right documents, a court could decide your fate. Join our session to learn more about the German system and how to:

• Protect your wishes with Vorsorgevollmacht (Power of Attorney)
• Appoint trusted decision-makers via Guardianship Directive (Betreuungsverfügung)
• Control end-of-life care and the respect of cultural/religious wishes through living wills (Advance Healthcare Directive)

Especially critical for non-EU researchers - your documents from home often don't work here.

Location: Online
Target group: international employees
Duration: 45 minutes
Time: 14:00 - 14:45

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