Equal opportunities and diversity – IOER honoured for exemplary commitment

An independent jury has recognised the IOER's ongoing commitment to equal opportunities and diversity and awarded the institute the TOTAL E-QUALITY seal for the fifth time. In its statement, the jury wrote: 'The Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) presents a convincing equal opportunities strategy in its application and thus fulfils the TOTAL E-QUALITY standards in the various fields of action in an outstanding manner.' The jury certifies the IOER 'exemplary actions in terms of an equal opportunities-oriented personnel and organisational policy' and honoured the institute with the TOTAL E-QUALITY award for the years 2024 to 2026.

The IOER has enshrined the promotion of equal opportunities and diversity in its statute and consistently pursues the goals of gender-related equality, work-life balance and compliance with the principles of the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG). The institute is also committed to the field of action ‘Equal opportunities in research/teaching/studies’. Here, it strives for the long-term and systematic integration of gender aspects into research practice. This takes place in research projects such as 'GiB_Raum – Gender aspects in spatial sustainability and transformation research', which was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as a strategic pilot project. 'Equal opportunities and diversity are the foundations of sustainability-orientated societal development. This is why organisational development and the content of our research work are closely linked and guide our actions in both respects,' adds Prof. Dr Marc Wolfram, Director of the IOER.

The IOER successfully applied for the award for the first time in 2012. As it has now been honoured with the TOTAL E-QUALITY award for the fifth time in a row, it also receives the achievement award for sustainability.