Gender equality and a workforce as diverse as human society are not reached yet in astronomy. Treating people with equity fosters a supportive and safe professional environment in which a diverse workforce can bring their ideas and knowledge together to further research. For this reason, we strive to implement justice, equality, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) as well as family friendliness into our members’ everyday work routine and hope that this can echo back into society.

In particular, we are working on the following:

• To achieve higher inclusion in academia, we aim to attract a more diverse workforce and especially scientists from under-represented groups.
• For recruitment, we want to achieve a female/male ratio as close to 50 % as possible.
• We reinforce the qualifications of young female researchers.
• We aim to increase the number of female researchers at the project-lead level.
• The working conditions within the research unit are to be family friendly and reconcilable with a healthy work-life balance.
• We use our DFG funds to compensate for the partial absence of project staff due to family reasons (such as maternity protection periods, parental leave or leave due to family members in need of care).
• We conduct workshops to educate the majorities demographic so that they become aware of the challenges faced by the minority and to educate the minorities demographic so that they feel empowered, inspired, connected. During this, it is indispensable to provide a safe, compassionate, understanding space for minorities/women to speak up and share their experiences and ideas.
• Another goal is to provide appropriate vocabulary, concepts, thought-provoking questions for reflection, for facing challenges and to engage in discussions on the topic.

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As part of the research unit 5195 an equality committee was formed to organise equality measures, to plan workshops and to monitor the accomplishment of the above mentioned action items and equality in general within the research unit.
Members of the equality committee are Christoph Wendel, Hetali Tambe, Léna Jlassi, Luca Ricci and Sarah Wagner.
Any member of our research unit who has experienced systematic inequality, discrimination or disadvantage is encouraged to express her or his problem to one or several members of the equality committee. Together, it might be possible to alleviate or solve the raised problem.

Empowering texts, books and papers:

• E. Pérez-Montero, 2025, Astroaccesible: A multi-messenger outreach for a multi-messenger science
  “This contribution summarizes the main activities and objectives of the out-reach project Astroaccesible, whose main aim is to carry the teaching and diffusion of astronomy among all kinds of collectives, focusing on blind and visually impaired (BVI) people. This project is led by a blind astronomer and aims to use a variety of resources based on different sensory channels, avoiding limiting the transmission of concepts to visual perception. This principle favors inclusion and benefits everyone, as the information is not presented using just one channel. This strategy is especially convenient for the nowadays typical data acquisition, where a variety of sources of information, not solely based on the collection of different spectral domains of electromagnetic radiation, is used. Moreover, the study of new multi-messenger astronomy could be much better understood using a multi-messenger teaching approach, favoring inclusion, motivation, and creativity.”
• P. Muheki, M. Pović, S. Saad, S. Sylla Mbaye, V. McBride, N. Asabre Frimpong, M. Guennoun, 2025, Inspiring stories from women in astronomy in Africa
  “In preparation for the International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assembly (GA) 2024, the first GA held in Africa, the African Network of Women in Astronomy (AfNWA) embarked on a visionary project: the creation of an inspiring storytelling book that showcases the remarkable journeys of professional female astronomers in Africa. This book is not merely a collection of biographies; it is a tapestry of resilience, passion, and scientific excellence woven through the lives of women who have ventured into the cosmos from the African continent. The primary aim of this book is twofold. Firstly, it seeks to bring greater visibility to women astronomers in Africa, highlighting their groundbreaking research and the personal stories that have shaped their careers. By shining a light on their achievements and awards, we hope to acknowledge their contributions to the field of astronomy and underscore the importance of diversity in science. Secondly, this book aspires to inspire and empower the next generation of scientists, particularly young women and girls across Africa. Through the personal narratives and professional achievements of these trailblazing astronomers and students in astronomy, we aim to spark curiosity, foster a love for science, and demonstrate that the sky is not the limit but just the beginning for those who dare to dream. As you delve into the stories within these pages, you will encounter a rich array of experiences and insights that reflect the unique challenges and triumphs women face in astronomy. From overcoming societal barriers to making groundbreaking discoveries, these women have carved paths that others can follow, proving that with determination and passion, the stars are within reach for everyone.”
• E. Pérez-Montero, 2024, Astroaccesible: A multi-messenger outreach for a multi-messenger science
  “This contribution summarizes the main activities and objectives of the outreach project Astroaccesible, whose main aim is to carry the teaching and diffusion of astronomy among all kinds of collectives, focusing on blind and visually impaired (BVI) people. This project is led by a blind astronomer and aims to use a variety of resources based on different sensory channels, avoiding limiting the transmission of concepts to visual perception. This principle favors inclusion and benefits everyone, as the information is not presented using just one channel. This strategy is especially convenient for the nowadays typical data acquisition, where a variety of sources of information, not solely based on the collection of different spectral domains of electromagnetic radiation, is used. Moreover, the study of new multi-messenger astronomy could be much better understood using a multi-messenger teaching approach, favoring inclusion, motivation, and creativity.”
• A. Polzin, Y. Asali, S. Bhimani, S., et al., 2023, Astronomy as a Field: A Guide for Aspiring Astrophysicists – An introductory guide for students interested in pursuing astrophysics, especially for students belonging to marginalised groups
• Noel-Storr, J. and Willebrands, M., 2022, Nature Astronomy, Accessibility in astronomy for the visually impaired – Interviews with astrophysicists to raise awareness for accessibility challenges in astronomy research, education and outreach for persons who are blind or visually impaired
• Collection of resources, networks and research reports on gender equality in science by Chalmers University.

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Equality and diversity office contacts – General overview:

• DFG, lead by Dr. Eva Reichwein:
  Mail: eva.reichwein@dfg.de, chancengleichheit@dfg.de
  Phone: +49 228 885-2768
  Web: Principles of equal opportunities and diversity
  
  
• Uni Würzburg, lead by the womens’ representative Prof. Dr. Helga Stopper:
  Mail: unifrauenbeauftragte@uni-wuerzburg.de 
  Phone: +49 931 31-85665
  Web: Office of the females’ representative
  
  
• Uni Potsdam, Koordinationsbüro für Chancengleichheit (office for coordination of equal opportunities):
  Mail: gba-team@uni-potsdam.de
  Phone: +49 0331 977-1211
  Web: Office for coordination of equal opportunities (in German language only)
  
  
• MPIfR Bonn, lead by Dr. Simone Pott:
  Mail: pott@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de 
  Phone: +49 228525-290
  Web: Office for equal opportunities
  
  
• Uni Hamburg, lead by Dr. Angelika Paschke-Kratzin:
  Mail: gleichstellungsbeauf@uni-hamburg.de 
  Phone: +49 40 42838-4443
  Web: Equal opportunity unit
  
  
• MPIA Heidelberg, lead by Ivelina Momcheva:
  Mail: momcheva@mpia.de 
  Phone: + 49 6221 528 453
  Web: Office for equal opportunities
  
  
• Uni Heidelberg (Landessternwarte Königstuhl):
  Mail: unify@uni-heidelberg.de 
  Phone: +49 6221 54-7697
  Web: UNIFY – Unit for Family, Diversity & Equality
  
  
• Uni Erlangen-Nürnberg (Remeis Observatory Bamberg), lead by Harriet Ziegler:
  Mail: harriet.ziegler@fau.de
  Phone: +49 9131 85-24728
  Web: Overview about gender / diversity / family
  Web: Office of Equality and Diversity

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Non-institutional partners:

• Working Groups of the IAU:
  • Executive Committee WG Astronomy for Equity and Inclusion
  • Executive Committee WG Junior Members
  • Women in Astronomy WG
  • Office of Astronomy for Development
• Access Astronomy – An intended network for accessibility, diversity and inclusion matters with respect to astronomy in Europe
• Network IDEEA (Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in European Astronomy)
• Astronomische Gesellschaft (German Astronomical Society): AstroFrauenNetzwerk (AstroWomenNetwork)
• Gender Equality Network in Physics in the European Research Area
• Overview of networks in STEM:
  • Link to the German website which is more extensive
  • English version
• Center of Excellence Women in Science: National hub for the realisation of gender equality in science and research in Germany

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General overview and assessment about measures for equal opportunities and family friendliness:
This ascertainment of demand fulfills two functions: Firstly, it gives you an overview of the offers that you as a member of the research unit can make use of. On the other hand, it forms an important basis for planning and implementing measures in line with your requirements. On request, the measures presented can be financed from the equal opportunity lump sum of FOR 5195. Your ideas for new measures are welcome and can be implemented in consultation with the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft / German Research Foundation (DFG).
You may send the questionnaire by e-mail to Dr. Isabel Fraas of Uni Würzburg: isabel.fraas@uni-wuerzburg.de

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External, independent coaches:

• Dr. Anne Freese, together with Dr. Isabel Fraas, has been the discussion moderator of the equality workshops of the research unit’s Annual Assembly 2024
• Prof. Dr. Tomas Brage, physics professor at Univ. Lund, active in gender equality in Europe, gave the workshop at our Annual Assembly 2025

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Do you have ideas of workshops/measures/topics you would like to be able to access or any kind of suggestions or problems that you better want to share anonymously with the equality committee? Feel free to use this feedback form!

If you find a workshop that looks interesting and you want to share it with others, you can use this mailing list for5195-all@listserv.dfn.de (all research unit members) or the more specialised lists:
for5195-pi@listserv.dfn.de (for only the project leaders and Mercator fellows)
for5195-pd@listserv.dfn.de (for postdoctoral researchers)
for5195-phd@listserv.dfn.de (for PhD students)