Events
Members of TU Dresden regularly have the opportunity to participate in various empowerment, awareness-raising, and exchange programs.
Current
Introduction to Harassment, Discrimination, and Violence in the Higher Education Context, as well as an Introduction to Discrimination-Sensitive Event Planning (for students)
September 7, 2026 | 3:00–6:00 p.m.
This workshop covers the basics of addressing harassment, discrimination, and violence at TUD and raises awareness of their various forms and consequences. In addition, it presents the legal and university-specific framework conditions as well as possible courses of action. Another focus is on planning and conducting student events in a discrimination-sensitive manner. The content will be explored through expert input, case studies, group work, and the sharing of experiences.
Registration: bystander@tu-dresden.de
Introduction to Awareness-Raising Work at TUD (for Students)
September 8, 2026 | 3:00–6:00 p.m.
This workshop introduces the fundamentals of awareness work and builds confidence in handling challenging situations at events. It focuses on understanding the role of awareness officers, communication in stressful situations, reflecting on one’s own role, as well as possible courses of action and the limits of awareness work. The content is conveyed through expert input, self-reflection, role-playing, and the joint analysis of real-world case studies.
Register at: bystander@tu-dresden.de
Regular Program
As part of the anti-discrimination efforts carried out by the Complaints Office, the following programs are offered on a regular basis:
Workshop: Brief Training on Taking Action Against Discrimination (for students)
Workshop: Violence Prevention and Anti-Discrimination at the University (for staff)
Workshop: Are These Just Isolated Cases? Dealing with Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Violence at TU Dresden (for students)
Workshop: UniSAFE – Dealing with Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Violence at TU Dresden (for staff)
Events as part of the International Weeks Against Racism (March/April)
Events as part of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (May 17)
Events as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women/Gender-Based Violence (November 25)
Workshop: A Brief Practical Training Session on Combating Discrimination (for students)
We encounter discriminatory behavior everywhere—it’s part of everyday life and doesn’t stop at the lecture halls, the cafeteria, the SLUB, or the office and lab doors at TU Dresden. The spectrum of forms is diverse, ranging from leering glances to gestures, remarks, and text messages, all the way to physical assaults—sometimes more, sometimes less subtle. Despite—or perhaps precisely because of—the prevalence of such situations in our daily student and work lives, these incidents often leave us speechless, making us feel powerless and small. To change this, in this workshop we will learn various strategies for setting clear—and above all verbal—boundaries against discriminatory behavior, both as those directly affected and as bystanders. Through role-playing exercises, we’ll practice applying these strategies and lay the groundwork for ensuring that such boundary violations are not allowed to go even one step further in the future.
About the Facilitator
Maja Steinhaus is a political education specialist and trainer in constructive conflict resolution. Her work focuses on empowering those affected by discrimination and on providing short- and long-term support in building organizational structures that are sensitive to discrimination. Because she knows how difficult it is to actively stand up to discrimination, she dedicates plenty of time and space in her workshops to discussion and—most importantly—practice, practice, practice!
The workshop will be conducted in spoken German in an accessible room.
Anti-Discrimination at TUD: Guidance for Everyday Work
This short digital session offers employees a concise overview of the forms that harassment, discrimination, and violence can take in everyday university life. It covers the basics of definitions, possible courses of action, and support and complaint procedures at TU Dresden. The focus is on raising awareness, reflection, and fostering respectful, discrimination-sensitive interactions in the university context.
About the Trainer
Anja Wiede is the contact person at TU Dresden’s complaints office for incidents of harassment, discrimination, and violence. She is a certified mediator, a trainer in feminist self-assertion, and a specialist in combating sexualized violence in the workplace (Inmedio).
Dates:
September 8, 2026, 9:00–10:00 a.m. Register here (German)
September 15, 2026, 9:00–10:00 a. m. Register (English)
(Additional dates for a separate workshop group can be requested)
Workshop: Just Isolated Incidents? Dealing with Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Violence at TU Dresden (for students)
Imagine you’re sitting in a lecture hall and notice someone being subjected to derogatory and lewd comments because of their gender. What do you think? What do you do?
Sexual harassment, discrimination, and violence are prohibited at TU Dresden. This workshop is therefore open to everyone, as it demonstrates how to intervene actively and safely in such situations.
We’ll start with a clear introduction to key terms and background information that will help you understand sexual harassment, discrimination, and violence in their many forms.
Using examples from everyday university life, you’ll learn about the support services, counseling resources, and guidelines available at your university and how they can help you in an emergency.
Through interactive exercises, role-plays, and case studies, you’ll develop concrete intervention strategies. In the process, you’ll learn to recognize warning signs early on and to intervene effectively as a courageous bystander—regardless of traditional gender roles.
Through discussions in small groups, you’ll reflect on your own attitudes, existing biases, and uncertainties. In this way, you’ll foster an awareness of how each individual can take responsibility to counteract sexual violence.
About the Trainer
Anja Wiede is the contact person at the TU Dresden’s complaints office for incidents of harassment, discrimination, and violence. She is a certified mediator, a trainer in feminist self-assertion, and a specialist in combating sexual violence in the workplace (Inmedio).
Dates
November 23, 2026 // 3:00–6:00 p.m. (German)
November 24, 2026 // 3:00–6:00 p.m. (English)
(Additional dates for a separate workshop group can be requested)
Workshop: UniSAFE – Addressing Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Violence at TU Dresden (for employees)
Through its active participation in the UniSAFE research project, TU Dresden is addressing the issue of sexual harassment, discrimination, and violence at universities. The workshop begins with a comprehensive overview of key terms, statistical data, and the most important findings of the UniSAFE study.
Participants will reflect on their own attitudes and potential biases. The focus will be on the wide range of support options available: Even if not all participants are directly affected by sexual harassment, discrimination, and violence, many find themselves in the role of “bystanders.”
In the spirit of shared responsibility, participants develop concrete, personalized intervention strategies to actively and confidently provide support in everyday university life.
About the Trainer
Anja Wiede is the contact person at the TU Dresden’s Complaints Office for incidents of harassment, discrimination, and violence. She is a certified mediator, a trainer in feminist self-assertion, and a specialist in combating sexual violence in the workplace (Inmedio).
Dates:
November 20, 2026 // 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (German) To register
December 1, 2025 // 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (English) Register
(Additional dates for a separate workshop group can be requested)
Events as part of the International Weeks Against Racism
© TUD
TU Dresden takes a firm stand against racism and is committed to mutual respect and social cohesion. That is why, since 2022, the university has been participating in the International Weeks Against Racism with various anti-racist and awareness-raising initiatives.
Events as part of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia
On May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia is observed worldwide. The day was established in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination faced by lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and intersex people—queer individuals with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics—face. After the Progressive Pride Flag was raised for the first time at TU Dresden on May 17, 2022, TU Dresden is also participating with various awareness-raising and empowerment initiatives.
Events as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women/Gender-Based Violence
Das Rektorat leuchtet in orange
November 25 has been designated by the United Nations as the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.” Since 2021, TU Dresden has also been participating in this day of action to raise awareness of gender-based violence.