Diversity and equality
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Diversity can inspire - HfMT against discrimination
The HfMT Hamburg is a highly international university of the arts. Students, teachers and staff come from over 60 countries and speak many different languages. They experience their everyday life in Hamburg and at the university differently, because diversity extends beyond cultural, socio-economic and religious backgrounds and also encompasses individual identities and lifestyles. They classify themselves as women or men according to the traditional gender image or act beyond binary categories. They live in heterosexual or same-sex relationships or have different skin colors and body characteristics. Some have to live with invisible chronic illnesses or physical or psychological limitations. Our aim is to enable all students, teachers and staff at the HfMT to participate in university life without discrimination.
Help and advice services
Do you need support? We are here to help. It is important to the University of Music and Drama that staff, students and guests treat each other fairly and respectfully. The conditions of artistic and academic training with its large proportion of individual and small group lessons, personal dependence on the teacher, high pressure to perform and the commitment of the whole person require a particularly sensitive approach to each other. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need help.
Diversity steering group
The Diversity Steering Group was founded in 2018 to make diversity at the HfMT visible, to raise awareness of its influence on university life and with the aim of developing a diversity management concept. A working group with interested parties from all status groups at HfMT, which includes professors from the various deaneries, members of the extended Executive Board, the Equal Opportunities Officer, the Head of Quality Management, employees of the Career Center and the International Office, the university's legal advisor, students and other administrative staff and non-professorial academic staff. This steering group, appointed by the University Senate, set itself the following motto:
People at the HfMT live diversity in respectful coexistence.
The steering group is currently headed by Dr. Bilinc Ercan-Catanzaro and Maike Arnemann.
Diversity management concept
Pursuant to Section 3 (4) of the Hamburg Higher Education Act (HmbHG), higher education institutions shall ensure that their members can study or work in a professional or academic capacity without discrimination. Within the scope of their possibilities, they work towards the elimination of existing discrimination. The universities develop concepts for dealing constructively with diversity (diversity management). The HfMT has developed its own participation procedure for this purpose.
Diversity initiative
The "Diversity at German universities" initiative aims to make diversity more visible and reduce discrimination. With funding from the Federal Ministryof Education and Research(BMBF), the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) supports universities nationwide in the further development of holistic diversity concepts. The project application submitted by the Hamburg University of Music and Drama was selected for funding for our institutional diversity projects.
Study Weeks
Immerse yourself. Concentrate. Deepen. Under the motto Diversity can Inspire, the HfMT is organizing the Diversity Study Weeks in the winter semester 2023/24. Together we celebrate diversity, because it is not just a buzzword, but the heart of our interaction and creative development at an artistic and academic university.
Important documents
The HfMT Hamburg's Diversity Management Concept was developed from within the university and was unanimously approved by the Presidential Board and the University Senate on May 8, 2014. In addition to an analysis of diversity and equality issues at the HfMT, it also presents a needs analysis and concrete measures for dealing with existing diversity and for social and cultural openness with a focus on diversity gaps.
This Code of Conduct provides all members and associates of the HfMT with guidelines for dealing with one another. In addition to official duties, it supplements the basic principles of trusting, fair and respectful cooperation.
The HfMT Hamburg attaches great importance to respectful and fair interaction with one another and does not tolerate any form of discrimination, racism, disadvantage or violence. This policy sets out options for action such as the complaints procedure, counseling services and reporting channels for those affected. Particularly in artistic education, which is characterized by close contact between teachers and students, a sensitive, mindful approach is required.
The HfMT Hamburg's equality concept for the future aims to create an environment in which equality and diversity are actively promoted. It covers several key areas: Promotion of women, support for all members (e.g. compatibility of studies and family) as well as diversity and inclusion. Specific measures and support services are presented.
The HfMT aims to ensure the equal participation of women at the university and to reduce disadvantages through the guideline for the advancement of women adopted in 2005.
This document contains information on applying for compensation for disadvantages for students or prospective students with (visible or invisible) disabilities or chronic illnesses.
This guide deals with the use of gender-sensitive and gender-inclusive language. In addition to recommended formulations, you will also find contact details for further questions.
This guide addresses gender-sensitive and inclusive language use. In addition to recommended phrasing, it also provides contact information for further questions.
The acceptance of different gender identities not only includes social interaction, but also formal steps. Students and employees of the university can find information on changing their name and gender here.
The position paper of the Rectors' Conference of Universities of Music of May 9, 2024 represents a Germany-wide position of the rectors of all universities of music on dealing with abuse of power and formulates concrete recommendations for action to prevent abuse of power for the various areas of a university of music.
RKM position paper (pdf)
RKM recommendations for action (pdf)
The recommendations for action on dealing with sexualized discrimination and violence at universities of art and music from 18 April 2023 aim to better protect students and staff. They contain ten specific measures to prevent discrimination and offer support to those affected.
Under the following link you will find a dictionary (Diversity Arts Culture Berlin), which explains basic terms in the context of diversity and attempts to provide orientation. Terms from the cultural sector are also explained.