Diversity Monitoring
The Survey is closed. We will inform on this page about results of the study.
The project “Diversity Monitoring – Supporting Diversity Through Transparency“ is a research project at TU Dresden that has been approved as part of the proposal “Targeted Support for Diversity“. It has a run time of one year, until the end of 2018.
Various social changes, such as demographic change, increasing internationalisation and the individualisation of personal histories, are leading to an increasingly heterogeneous society. This creates new opportunities and challenges, especially for universities that have to withstand international competition. By adopting a diversity approach, it is possible to react flexibly to such changes. The aim is to recognise and include all members of a university – regardless of gender, age, social or ethnic origin, personal circumstances, beliefs, health or sexual orientation. To this end, the university must establish a framework to create a place where all members of the university can develop and feel equally at home. In this way, both study and working conditions can be significantly improved.
The development of an inclusive, diversity oriented university, as well as defining suitable measures, requires knowledge about the composition of the members of a university. While measures have already been established to ensure the quality of teaching, for example, the available data on various diversity aspects, such as personal life situations or discrimination, is inadequate. In this context, Diversity Monitoring first tries to create a foundation of data on the current study conditions and diversity characteristics of students and staff. This is a basic prerequisite for identifying problems and defining suitable measures. In addition, the effects of measures can be quantitatively measured and documented in this way, enabling the university to set quality standards in the sphere of diversity and to evaluate their impact. The present research project forms the foundation for this.
Goals and audience
In an online survey, students are asked about their own diversity-related characteristics. Levels of discrimination as well as special requirements, which should be addressed within the framework of diversity-orientated teaching, shall also be collected. The aim is to sensitise faculty and students by transparently recording and presenting the diversity characteristics of the members of our university. The human being as an individual with different diversity characteristics is in the foreground. The emphasis on the individual and the conscious perception of differences can already contribute to the reduction of stereotyping and discrimination. A further aim is to promote self-reflection among all participants. Through their own participation in the survey, in which diversity characteristics are addressed, the awareness of their own diversity aspects is promoted, which is the basis for the formation of diversity expertise. Parallel to the online survey, we plan to conduct qualitative interviews with individuals from selected groups of people. The study results can also be used to refine existing strategies for promoting diversity. The following questions are relevant in the context of diversity monitoring:In an online survey, students are asked about their own diversity-related characteristics. Levels of discrimination as well as special requirements, which should be addressed within the framework of diversity-orientated teaching, shall also be collected. The aim is to sensitise faculty and students by transparently recording and presenting the diversity characteristics of the members of our university. The human being as an individual with different diversity characteristics is in the foreground. The emphasis on the individual and the conscious perception of differences can already contribute to the reduction of stereotyping and discrimination. A further aim is to promote self-reflection among all participants. Through their own participation in the survey, in which diversity characteristics are addressed, the awareness of their own diversity aspects is promoted, which is the basis for the formation of diversity expertise. Parallel to the online survey, we plan to conduct qualitative interviews with individuals from selected groups of people. The study results can also be used to refine existing strategies for promoting diversity. The following questions are relevant in the context of diversity monitoring:In an online survey, students are asked about their own diversity-related characteristics. Levels of discrimination as well as special requirements, which should be addressed within the framework of diversity-orientated teaching, shall also be collected. The aim is to sensitise faculty and students by transparently recording and presenting the diversity characteristics of the members of our university. The human being as an individual with different diversity characteristics is in the foreground. The emphasis on the individual and the conscious perception of differences can already contribute to the reduction of stereotyping and discrimination. A further aim is to promote self-reflection among all participants. Through their own participation in the survey, in which diversity characteristics are addressed, the awareness of their own diversity aspects is promoted, which is the basis for the formation of diversity expertise. Parallel to the online survey, we plan to conduct qualitative interviews with individuals from selected groups of people. The study results can also be used to refine existing strategies for promoting diversity. The following questions are relevant in the context of diversity monitoring:
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What are the diversity characteristics of TUD students?
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What concrete needs stem from the various diversity aspects?
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Which strategies of action are already implemented in the university context and with what effect? Where are there deficits?
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How does diversity-oriented teaching looks like?
Due to the short duration of this project, it will not be possible to answer all these and further questions, but it will provide a basis for further analysis and research. In order to evaluate aspects relevant to diversity, longer-term monitoring with repeated surveys is also necessary. Due to the short duration of this project, it will not be possible to answer all these and further questions, but it will provide a basis for further analysis and research. In order to evaluate aspects relevant to diversity, longer-term monitoring with repeated surveys is also necessary. Due to the short duration of this project, it will not be possible to answer all these and further questions, but it will provide a basis for further analysis and research. In order to evaluate aspects relevant to diversity, longer-term monitoring with repeated surveys is also necessary.
Results of the Project
Here you can see all public results of our project. Besides the results of the survey itself, we will present other outcomes and materials, such as publications, that were produced within the project.
Onlinesurvey - Questions and Contents
Following, you can download the survey that were used for our study in german language (english version follows later).
Questionnaire_Diversity_Monitoring_german.pdf
Scientific Publications
Publication "Mensch und Computer Conference 2018"
We discussed our project at one of the most important German conference in the area of Human-Computer-Interaction "Mensch und Computer 2018". Therefore, we presented our project and survey within a poster session which is a good possibility to get in contact with other professionals. Besides that, a scientific publication with the Title "Diversity Monitoring - Bedeutung und Chancen für die Informatik" (in English: Diversity Monitoring - Importance and Chances for Informatics") were published within the proceedings of the conference. More information about this publication can be found within the digital library of the "Gesellschaft für Informatik" (more about the publication on the website of the GI).
Book chapter "Wege zum Studienerfolg"
With the results of the Diversity Monitoring, an extensive contribution was made to the book "Wege zum Studienerfolg" (published in 2020 by Franziska Schulze-Stocker, Christian Schäfer-Hock, and Henriette Greulich). The book chapter not only highlights the methodology of the survey, the diversity dimensions of the students as well as central findings of the survey, but also puts the results into the context of study success. The chapter considers academic success in direct relation to the diverse dimensions of students. The book is available in printed form and as an OpenAccess publication and can be downloaded under the following link.
Data
Within the following pdf file you can find the descriptive results of the survey in tabular form. A short explanation of the data is also provided. The analysis is only available in German language and in a non-accessible form. If you are interested or have questions about this or other data, please contact the project management.
Results of Diversity Monitorings (German only, not accessible)
Contact Information & Team
Would you like to know more about our project? Would you like to contribute or express your opinion on the project? Do you feel discriminated against and would like to report your experiences to us? You are welcome to contact us at any time with questions, criticism or your personal experiences.
Please also visit our Facebook page for further information and information on current events.
TEam
© Mathias Gröbe
Projektleitung
NameMs Christin Engel M.Sc.
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© Meinhardt Branig
Projektleitung
NameMr Meinhardt Branig M.Sc.
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© Marko Ott
Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin
NameMs Juliane Kopitz M.Sc.
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Centre for Quality Analysis (ZQA)
Centre for Quality Analysis (ZQA)
Visiting address:
Falkenbrunnen, Zi. 201 Chemnitzer Str. 48a
01187 Dresden