UA Ruhr Annual Anti-Discrimination Program 2026

Harassment, discrimination, and abuse of power occur at universities, just as they do in all areas of society. During the events of the 2025 Anti-Discrimination Annual Program, participants with different professional and personal backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints will come together. This results in a diverse program featuring a variety of perspectives.

To create a space that is as free from discrimination as possible for all participants, the following Code of Conduct is intended to help ensure considerate behavior during the event days.

1. We expect participants to act with consideration and respect in both their words and actions.
   
2. We hope that participants will strive to engage in constructive dialogue on controversial topics.
   
3. Discriminatory behavior based on gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, economic status, employment status, disabilities, medical conditions, neurodiversity, physical appearance, origin, nationality, ethnicity, skin color, age, religion, or other identity categories will not be tolerated.
   
4. Any form of (non-)verbal, physical, or visual harassment will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to: intimidation, stalking or harassment, taking photographs or recordings of individuals, persistent disruption of lectures, workshops, or other events, unsolicited physical contact, and any form of sexualized violence.
   
5. The photo policy must be followed: No photos or other recordings (audio, video, etc.) may be taken during the events.
   
6. Participants who are asked to stop harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
   
7. We expect participants to be mindful of their surroundings and of other participants.

If participants observe harassment, discrimination, abuse of power, or other behavior that violates this Code of Conduct—or if they are personally affected by such behavior—they may contact the Awareness Team or the organizing team confidentially.

The organizing team reserves the right to take appropriate action in the event of unacceptable behavior by participants. This may also result in exclusion from an event.

More information will follow shortly

In this discussion, we will come together to reflect on our experiences with antisemitism at our university. The goal is to facilitate an open exchange and to strengthen our ability to articulate our thoughts when addressing this issue. The focus will be on the participants’ perspectives, questions, and ideas. The discussion provides a space for reflection, discussion, and collaborative learning in a respectful and dialogue-oriented atmosphere.

In-person at the UDE

In cooperation with the City of Essen’s Municipal Integration Center, the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) invites you to a reading with Said Etris Hashemi as part of the UA Ruhr’s annual anti-discrimination program. The event will focus on his autobiographical work, *The Day I Was Supposed to Die: How the Terror in Hanau Changed My Life Forever*, published in 2024, and will explore key issues related to discrimination, memory, and social responsibility.

The reading will take place on April 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the library hall of the Duisburg-Essen University Library. The event is sponsored by the Ministry for Children, Youth, Family, Equality, Refugees, and Integration of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. Registration is via Eveeno; the link can be found on the Diversity Support Center’s website. All members of the UA Ruhr (RUB, TU Dortmund, UDE) are eligible to attend.

Location: UDE University Library

Educational credentials are key social indicators and play a decisive role in determining individuals’ life opportunities. From kindergarten through higher education, unequal opportunities based on social background have been extensively researched and documented—and yet the shadow of social background extends deep into the higher education system.

This lecture provides a systematic overview of empirical research and theoretical explanations regarding social background and inequality in the German higher education and academic system. The focus begins with students: it examines differences related to social background in access to higher education, academic trajectories, and student experiences. The discussion then turns to academic careers, where the few available studies reveal a clear underrepresentation of individuals from disadvantaged social classes.

With Dr. Frerk Blome

Anti-Semitism is not a marginal issue, not even at universities. Many students experience or witness anti-Semitic incidents in their everyday university life: in seminars, on campus, or online. But the question often remains: How should I respond? What is the appropriate response? A joint workshop by @adira_nrw and the central counseling center SchuDS at @tu_dortmund addresses exactly this: recognizing and understanding antisemitism and learning how to take action.

The workshop is open to all members of the UA Ruhr (RUB, TU Dortmund, UDE). The registration deadline is May 11, 2026.

(Exact room number will be provided after registration)

A stroll through downtown Dortmund invites reflection and conversation: at the “Stumbling Stones,” which commemorate people from Dortmund who were deported during the Nazi era; at the traces of memory of Dortmund’s destruction in the air raids of World War II in St. Reinoldi City Church; and at the “empty spaces” left by the destroyed synagogues in the city center; and finally at the Steinwache Memorial and the memorial to the victims of the NSU. Does freedom require remembrance? What memories? Of whom? Of what? And why? We will also discuss how memorials in public spaces are designed. Do they need to take an artistic form? And furthermore: On whose initiative are they erected?

The walk will be led by Prof. Dr. Barbara Platzer.

All members of the UA Ruhr (RUB, TU Dortmund, UDE) are eligible to participate. The registration deadline is May 22, 2026.

Queer Muslim people need protection from violence without being subjected to blanket suspicion. Discriminatory narratives distort perceptions and can influence professional decisions. This workshop teaches participants how to identify protection needs and support those affected in a respectful manner.

Atahan Demirel works on anti-discrimination and queer policy at the Berlin House of Representatives and previously worked in civil society organizations focused on anti-discrimination. He studied in Vienna and Oxford. He is particularly committed to advocating for the interests of queer Muslim people. That is why he is currently founding the nonprofit organization Queer Muslim Alliance Germany together with fellow activists to strengthen visibility, empowerment, and advocacy.

The event is open to all members of the UA Ruhr (RUB, TU Dortmund, UDE) university community.

At the UDE’s Essen campus (exact room number to be provided after registration)