Diversity at the Crossroads: What is Happening to DEI in Academia in 2025?

Organized by:

… representing >16,000 Doctoral Researchers across Germany

Organizing team

  • Martin Bagic (Leibniz Institute on Aging)
  • Hanin Alkhamis (Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon)
  • Armelle Ballian (Senckenberg Society for Nature Research)
  • Cristina Valega Chipoco (Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law)
  • Saida Diaz (Institute for Solar Physics KIS)
  • Setenay Kızılkaya (Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Development in Transition Economies)
  • Francesca Lanterna (Senckenberg Society for Nature Research)
  • Chungwan Lo (Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology BIPS)
  • Zhwad Mahmoud (Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors)
  • Harijyoti Mandal (Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics)
  • Fiona Puntieri (Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics)
  • Ely Silaban (Leibniz Intitute for Information Infrastructure FIZ)
  • Kiarash Tebbi (Max Planck Institute for Biology Ageing)

The Leibniz PhD Network, Max Planck PhD Network, and Helmholtz Juniors are founding members of N² – Network of Doctoral Researcher Networks. Learn more here!

We are excited to invite you to the inspiring and important online event jointly hosted by the Leibniz PhD Network, Max Planck PhD Network, and Helmholtz Juniors—the official PhD networks of the Leibniz Association, Max Planck Society, and Helmholtz Association.

Event details

Whether you’re just beginning your DEI journey or deeply involved in advocacy, this event offers valuable perspectives for everyone.

Empowering young researchers through an event with
diverse speakers and panel discussions on current topics in
diversity, equity and inclusion.

Highlights

  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion: foundations and myths
  • Internationality and colonialism in academia
  • Disabilities and research: experiences and conditions for success
  • Challenges, strategies and successes in diversity initiatives

We look forward to your participation.
Together, let’s shape a more inclusive future in academia!

SCHEDULE

09:30–09:40 Welcome message
Hanin Alkhamis (HGF)
09:40–10:15 Foundations: What is DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion)? (lecture)
Frauke Logermann (MPG)
10:15–11:00 Foundations: What DEI is not? (panel discussion)
Anita Orkiszewska (FU Berlin)
Frauke Logermann (MPG)
Johanna Bücker (MPG)
Moderation: Cristina Valega Chipoco (MPG)
11:00–11:10 Break
11:10–11:45 German colonialism – its past in the present (lecture)
Henning Melber (NAI Uppsala)
11:45–12:30 Decolonizing the academic future (panel discussion)
Manuela Bauche (FU Berlin)
Henning Melber (NAI Uppsala)
decolonize Berlin e.V. representative
moderation: Kiarash Tebbi (MPG)
12:30–13:15 Break
13:15–13:45
Doing a doctorate with disabilities:
experiences and conditions for success (lecture)
Jörg Muskatewitz (WGL)
Jana Bauer (University of Cologne)
13:45–14:30
Doing a doctorate with disabilities:
experiences and conditions for success (panel discussion)
Andreas Fiedler (WGL)
Andre Heewig (WGL)
Laura Ahumada-Arranz (WGL)
Niklas Mantei (WGL)
Max Klotzsche (HGF)
Moderation: Jörg Muskatewitz (WGL), Jana Bauer (University of Cologne)
14:30–14:40Break
14:40–15:15 Finding a way: experiences of academic immigrants (lecture)
Gülay Turkmen (RWTH Aachen)
15:15–16:15
A reality check on DEI and a way forward (panel discussion)
Anita Orkiszewska (FU Berlin)
Cristina Valega Chipoco (MPG)
Frauke Logermann (MPG)
Moderation: Martin Bagic (WGL)
16:15 Closing words

Registration & Contact

The Registration is open: Register Here!

Questions?

Please get in contact with martin.bagic@leibniz-fli.de or hanin.alkhamis@hereon.de