The Power of Diversity & Why students and staff need to know about it
Hosted by Maren Haag, Melanie Müller-Mugele and Birgit Hermann
Description
The Staff Week "The Power of Diversity and why Students and Staff need to know about it" is aimed at staff members in higher education who wish to deepen their understanding of diversity and inclusion, reflect on their own perspectives and responsibilities, and explore practical approaches for creating more inclusive and respectful environments at their institutions. Through a practice-oriented and participatory approach, the Staff Week combines interactive workshops with daily impulses by author and leadership expert Birgit Hermann. The program explores diversity from different perspectives, moving participants from awareness, to personal responsibility, to practical leadership action. Participants are encouraged not only to gain new knowledge, but also to reflect on how they think, make decisions and act within their professional environments. The focus is on translating awareness into concrete measures and leadership practices that can contribute to more inclusive institutions. The final goal is to support participants in developing practical strategies for strengthening equality, diversity and inclusion at their home institutions and to create a shared commitment to fostering inclusive environments in higher education.

Programme
Sunday, 1st Nov
05:30 pm
Restaurant Lehners
Welcome Dinner at Lehners, Bahnhofstraße 1, 74072 Heilbronn
Registration until October 23rd 2026 via email: jana-ayla.breuninger@hs-heilbronn.de
Monday, 2nd Nov
8:30 - 10:15 am
Bildungscampus,
Foyer N-building
Registration and Grouping
10:30 - 10:45 am
Bildungscampus,
Foyer N-building
Welcome Speech by Prof. Dr. Ruth Fleuchaus
11:00 - 12:30 pm
Bildungscampus,
LIV R.0.31
Workshop part 1: Understanding diversity in an international context
Opening Impulse: What do we mean by diversity?
12:30 - 2:00 pm
Bildungscampus,
Campus Canteen
Lunch break
2:00 - 3:30 pm
Bildungscampus,
LIV R.0.31
Workshop part 2: Understanding diversity in an international context
5:30 - 7:00 pm
Bildungscampus,
Wissensstadt Arena
Leadership event & book reading of BOLDER by Birgit Hermann (optional)
Tuesday, 3rd Nov
9:00 - 12:30 pm
Bildungscampus,
LIV R.0.31
Workshop part 1: Higher Education Institutions as Safe and Brave Spaces
Impulse: “Why none of us are neutral” with coffee break
12:30 - 2:00 pm
Bildungscampus,
Campus Canteen
Lunch break
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Bildungscampus,
LIV R.0.31
Workshop part 2: Higher Education Institutions as Safe and Brave Spaces
Impulse from Simona Goia and Vlad Rosca from Bucharest University
Wednesday, 4th Nov
9:00 - 12:00 pm
Bildungscampus,
LIV R.0.31
Workshop 3: Strategies and Measures for Inclusive Institutions
Impulse: “Bold Leadership”
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Bildungscampus,
Campus Canteen
Lunch break
1:00 - 5:00 pm
CampusFounders
Connect: Coffee&Careers
- Welcome at Connect: Coffee&Careers
- Keynote Isabell Steidel, EUonAIR
- Panel discussion: “Human-AI Collaboration in Practice: Perspectives from Higher Education and Business”
- Q&A
- Reception at Connect: Coffee&Careers
Thursday, 5th Nov
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Aldi Süd parking,
behind Bildungscampus
Cultural trip to IPAI Heilbronn and Heidelberg castle, old town and University
Registration until October 19th 2026 via email: jana-ayla.breuninger@hs-heilbronn.de
Friday, 6th Nov
9:00 - 11:00 am
Bildungscampus,
LIV R.0.31
Final Workshop & Creative Session
11:00 - 12:00 pm
Bildungscampus,
tba
Issuance of certificates
12:00 - 1:30 pm
Bildungscampus,
Campus Canteen
Lunch
Location
The workshops will take place in the Library at Bildungscampus "LIV" in room R.0.31.

