CRC TRR 228 Future Rural Africa

Board for Gender Equality and Diversity

Gender equality and diversity are crucial aspects for our research centre as they foster a culture of inclusivity and bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the forefront, ultimately enhancing the quality and impact of research outcomes.

Gender Equality

The implementation of diversity policies and gender mainstreaming are essential structural aims of the CRC-TRR 228 “Future Rural Africa” and the German Research Foundation. Consequently, the goals of the CRC-TRR 228 equal opportunity work are to achieve a gender balance in the research system and to make a scientific career compatible with family commitments. Together with gender equality institutions we want to implement the gender equality directive, to enable women and men to have equal opportunities with regard to their qualifications, to eliminate existing structural disadvantages for women within all university status groups, and to improve the conditions for balancing science, career, studies and family. We build our gender work on three core modules: (1) Female career, (2) Awareness, and (3) Family support.

One part of our gender equality work focusses on promoting the career progression of female scientists of the CRC Future Rural Africa, not only by advancing their professional competencies, but also by strengthening self-awareness and supporting them in expanding their networks. Therefore, we initiate diverse seminars such as empowerment workshops, individual coaching and trainings addressing topics such as research presentation, communication, and resilience. Additionally, we provide financial support. In 2021, we introduced the “Future Rural Africa Female Researcher's Grant”.

The aim of the grant is to support female researchers from the Global South at an early stage of their career to expand their network and to develop further expertise. At the same time, the CRC can increase its visibility and establish new cooperations in the Global South through the grant.

Female researchers of the CRC can apply for scientific mentoring or personal coaching using the linked forms. All applications are dealt with confidentially and decisions are made on an individual basis.

Both Universities of Bonn and Cologne implement further gender equality schemes. The participation fees of workshops concerning gender equality can be covered by the fund of the Board for Gender Equality and Diversity, where required.

Both the University of Cologne and Bonn offer mentoring programmes. The University of Cologne offers the Cornelia Harte Mentoring, mentoring with the Gender Mentoring Agency and the IFS mentoring programme for international female scholars (for the three programs the application deadline is in autumn). Furthermore, the First Generation Doctorate Mentoring programme is offered (the application deadline is on July 1, 2024). At the University of Bonn, the MeTra-Programme is open for PhD-candidates (application deadline March 15, 2024), PostDocs (application deadline March 31, 2024) and scientists on their way to a professorship (application deadline April 15, 2024). Participants of the respective mentoring programs can apply for funding from the Board for Gender Equality and Diversity to cover costs such as travel costs that arise as part of the mentoring program.

Another important part of our work focusses on raising awareness. This includes sensitisation work concerning gender equality as well as gender roles, gender diversity and intersectionality. The intersection of gender and race in particular plays an important role in the context of scientific North-South partnerships like the CRC, which is why we want to raise awareness for these dynamics. Besides addressing the women working at the CRC, we also want to encourage male members to reflect on privileges and hierarchies as well. Therefore we conduct a wide variety of events for all genders.

If you have ideas or suggestions for a measure to raise awareness, please contact the Board for Gender Equality and Diversity: crc228-genderboard@uni-koeln.de.

The third pillar of our equality work focusses on increasing the compatibility of work and family. This includes the organisation of childcare during events and business trips as well as the coordination of daycare.

If there is need for daycare in addition to regular daycare facilities, CRC-members can apply each year for up to 60 hours in the Back-up-Service (emergency care) The Back-up-Service provides high quality one-to-one care. From the 60 fundable hours, per week up to 15 hours can be used per child. Please note that food must be paid extra. If you are interested in using this service, please send an e-mail to the Board for Gender Equality and Diversity: crc228-genderboard@uni-koeln.de.

To ensure childcare during fieldwork or business trips, travel costs for children and accompanying persons can be subsidised up to 600 Euros. For an application, please consult with the Board for Gender Equality and Diversity. For more information and the application form see the website of the Dual Career & Family Support of the University of Cologne.

Please note that there is a limit of 600 Euros per CRC-member per year for childcare related expenses (such as childcare during events and business trips, the Back-Up-Service and travel cost subsidies for children and accompanying persons). This limit cannot be exceeded, even if several offers are used.

The Board for Gender Equality and Diversity funded two “kid’s boxes” for the CRC, which are mobile parent-child rooms for the workplace.

Furthermore, members of the CRC who have special care responsibilities can apply for a student assistant to assist with their academic tasks using this form.

The CFS is the central point at the University of Cologne for information, counseling and services concerning the compatibility of family and career. The services include personal advice, child- and eldercare support, care funds as well as the education program “Fokus Vereinbarkeit”.

The Office of Family Services is a central body at the University of Bonn concerning the improvement of the compatibility of family and career. Together with the Gender Equality Office (University of Bonn), it offers several services, such as counselling, the coordination of childcare and financial support.

Board Members

C03 Aalders Theo

Dr. Theo Aalders

University of Bonn

Paula_Alexiou-

Paula Alexiou

University of Cologne

Emilie Köhler

Emilie Köhler

University of Cologne

Xenia Leitold CRC Future Rural Africa

Xenia Leitold

University of Cologne

C07 Kimani Veronica

Veronica Kimani

University of Cologne

Evelyne-Owino-B03-Violent-Futures

Evelyne Owino

Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies

Alexandra Sandhage-Hofmann Portrait

Dr. Alexandra Sandhage-Hofmann

University of Bonn

Activities

cover for a web post announcing the future rural africa female researchers' grant 2024

Female Researcher’s Grant 2024: Call for Applications

Application Deadline: 30 March 2024 Applications are now open for the 2024 Future Rural Africa Female Researcher’s Grant. The aim of the grant is to support female researchers from the Global South at an early ...
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Cover image with the logo of the crc future rural africa & the logos of the uni cologne, uni bonn, and DFG

Upcoming Events Promoting Gender Equality and Diversity at the Universities of Bonn and Cologne

University of Bonn: Workshop Discussions A total of six workshop discussions will take place as part of the project. They are aimed at all students, teachers, researchers and employees of the University of Bonn. They ...
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A cover image of the CRC Future Rural Africa

Workshop: Imposter Syndrome – A Mindful Approach to Imposter Experiences

On Monday, the 19th of June, 2023, CRC female researchers met in a workshop on “Imposter Syndrome: A Mindful Approach to Imposter Experiences” initiated by the CRC-TRR 228 Future Rural Africa’s Board for Gender Equality ...
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Cover Image Recipient CRC female researchers grant 2023

Recipient Announced – Future Rural Africa Female Researcher’s Grant 2023

The Board for Gender Equality & Diversity is pleased to announce the recipient of the Female Researcher’s Grant 2023: Sylvia Kiamba: The Social Implications of Road Infrastructure Development in Northeastern Kenya; a case study of ...
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Call-for-Applications-Female-Researchers-Grant-2023

Female Researcher’s Grant 2023: Call for Applications

Application Deadline: MAR 30, 2023 Applications are now open for the 2023 Future Rural Africa Female Researcher’s Grant. The aim of the grant is to support female researchers at all stages of their careers. The ...
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