The BCDSS welcomes students and researchers from all over the world. Internationality, as well as diversity in language, gender, religion, age, health, social and cultural background and sexuality is one of our greatest assets and a promoter of excellent science. 

The BCDSS works strategically to promote academic diversity and to fight discrimination and harassment through a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) framework.

The University of Bonn is a signatory to the Charter of Diversity, it is committed to implementing the Charter’s framework organisationally and to creating an academic work and study environment that is free of prejudice. Diversity here refers to individual characteristics such as gender, nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, physical and mental health, age, sexuality and socioeconomic background. At the BCDSS we work to promote the diversity of our members across organisational levels through recruitment and application processes for staff and students alike. Our overall objective is to create a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment at the BCDSS that eliminates all forms of discrimination or harassment.

However, having a diverse staff and student body does not necessarily result in an inclusive environment where the diversity of their backgrounds, perspectives and experiences are respected and valued. That is why at the BCDSS we value ‘Inclusion’ and provide a number of channels for members to voice concerns, provide feedback, and report discrimination.

Ensuring the full inclusion of BCDSS members also implies acknowledging their diverse characteristics, experiences and needs, and responding to them equitably in work, learning, and research environments. In particular, ensuring equitable treatment implies exerting effort to support groups that face additional challenges or higher statistical risks of exclusion. This is achieved by monitoring their current access and participation, identifying and removing barriers, and taking steps to actively support their access, participation, growth and achievement.