Inclusion

People with disabilities are still underrepresented in the scientific research landscape, especially in science jobs. We want to change that!

Our goal is to design work and career opportunities in science and research so that everyone, with or without disabilities, can develop their own personal potential. That’s why we’re setting out, step by step, towards greater inclusion in the scientific research landscape. To achieve this and raise awareness of the issue of inclusion in science and research for people with disabilities, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and Max Planck Society have launched the “Inclusion Initiative”, which is endorsed and supported by all ten Alliance organizations.

The aim of this initiative is to identify development potential and strategic measures across organizations to promote sustainable inclusion and improve career opportunities and inclusive work environments in science and research for people with disabilities. In order to achieve this goal, a host of visible and invisible barriers still need to be broken down, and obstacles eliminated. The core building blocks of the initiative include an internal strategy workshop to reflect on the systemic challenges and barriers that currently exist for talented people with disabilities, and a careers event where we share information for the first time about careers and development opportunities in our organizations for talented people with disabilities, as well as facilitate direct contact with role models from the field of research and administration. The strategy workshop and careers event are accompanied by a social media campaign to set a shared example for a more inclusive and equal work culture in science and research for people with disabilities. 

“Including people with disabilities beyond university research: What should the strategy and work environment be?” This virtual strategy workshop as part of the Inclusion Initiative took place on November 28, 2023.

The first part of this event delivered an overview of theory and practice from individual Alliance organizations in order to depict the current situation as regards inclusion of people with disabilities in science and research. The second part of the workshop examined what challenges and opportunities there are for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the current scientific system. The aim was to bring together the expertise of employees both with and without disabilities and to devise starting points for strategic measures to promote inclusion, taking into account diverse perspectives in the target demographic.

Everyone should have the opportunity to develop their talents and abilities in research and science.
 

With this in mind, the careers event organized by the Inclusion Initiative for December 4 hinged upon the subject of “Work and career opportunities for people with disabilities in science and research”. The aim was to create a forum where research organizations can post information about career opportunities specific to their organization and enter into open and introductory dialogue with talented people with disabilities. Those attending can learn more about various work and career opportunities in the organizations in a series of virtual and interactive lectures, and so gain insight into the various areas of work in science and research. There was plenty of opportunity during the various discussion forums to engage in personal discussion with others attending, as well as with managers and employees, both with and without disabilities, from the seven Alliance organizations taking part. 

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The diversity and inclusion of people with disabilities in science and research is an important subject that deserves more attention and, above all, public visibility.

Against this backdrop, the “Inclusion Initiative” was accompanied by a social media campaign across organizations. The aim of this joint campaign is to raise awareness of the subject of inclusion in science and research, to improve the visibility of people with disabilities and to set an example for working inclusively.

The social media campaign was planned to start in autumn 2023. Several activities on social media were planned over three months during this period as well as on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3, 2023), in order to carry the idea of inclusion on into the research landscape. From first impressions of the strategy workshop and careers events to inspiring stories about the career paths of people with disabilities who play a key role in driving innovation, research and administration. 

The map of measures, which emerged from the strategy workshop and with support from myAbility Social Enterprise GmbH, is intended to provide guidance to the various Alliance organizations. The map of measures defines five central fields of action:

1.     Awareness on the subject of disabilities

2.     Inclusive organizational culture

3.     Accessibility within organizations

4.     Inclusive employer

5.     Structures and overall conditions

These action fields serve as a basis for the creation of inclusive and accessible career and participation opportunities for people with disabilities within the science landscape. Plans call for every science organization to identify one to two organization-specific measures and plan corresponding implementation steps starting in 2024/2025.
 

Vision

Improve inclusive structures and overall conditions for a career in science, administration, and technology to bring in more talent with disabilities and support them in their development.

Goals starting in 2024

Implement concrete measures to break down barriers and improve inclusion of people with disabilities in science.

The alliance's scientific organizations

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Leibniz Association

German Research Foundation (DFG)

Helmholtz Association

German Rector's Conference

German National Academy of Science Leopoldina

Max Planck Society

German Science and Humanities Council