EDI Office’s Approach

The topics of equality, diversity and inclusion cut across many different areas, so they require a multifaceted approach. This is why the EDI Office works closely with different units, working groups, bodies and networks both within and outside of UZH. A selection of our partners is listed below:

UZH has a Gender Equality and Diversity Commission, whose office is managed by the EDI Office. 
Gender Equality and Diversity Commission

UZH has a Commission for Disability Inclusion, whose office is managed by the EDI Office.
Commission for Disability Inclusion

Student Affairs and Advisory Services supports prospective students and students throughout all phases of their studies. They have offices and advisory centers that provide a range of student services.
Student Affairs and Advisory Services

The Disability Office serves as the main contact point for students and prospective students with questions about academic accommodations. It offers UZH students individual advice, support and information.
Disability Office

UZH has a set of regulations to protect its staff and students against sexual harassment (RSB) and a committee overseeing those regulations (RSB Committee). Find more information on the web page for the regulations.
RSB

The Center for Higher Education and Science Studies (CHESS) aims to encourage self-reflection in higher education institutions and science. It addresses the challenges these institutions face during this time of changing societal expectations. The EDI Office works together with CHESS on several fronts, for example through the H.I.T. Program (High Potential University Leaders Identity & Skills Training Program – Inclusive Leadership in Academia). The H.I.T. Program was run by the EDI Office until the end of 2024; CHESS has been in charge of the program since the beginning of 2025.
CHESS - Center for Higher Education and Science Studies
H.I.T. Program

Members of UZH’s community are committed to tolerance, diversity, inclusion, equal opportunities and equality. The commUNIty platform provides an overview of the rules and values that guide members’ behavior, and it lists relevant projects and advisory services.
commUNIty

The Sustainability Hub supports ongoing activities related to sustainability in research, teaching and operations. In addition to working on fundamental issues of sustainability research and teaching, coordinating the implementation of relevant measures and advising university members, it also promotes networking among all University members and units committed to sustainable development. The Sustainability Hub belongs to UZH’s Central Services and falls under the responsibility of the Deputy President. It works closely with UZH’s Sustainability Delegate, Sustainability Commission, offices and representative bodies.
Sustainability

Campus Culture is responsible for various aspects of campus life. Since their activities are to reflect the principles set forth in UZH’s key EDI documents and the EDI Office has been commissioned to implement these documents, the EDI Office and Campus Culture frequently work together.
Campus Culture
Key EDI Documents at UZH

The EDI Office works with Human Resources on various issues, for example equal pay, recruitment and management.
Human Resources

The EDI Office works with the Professorships Department on many issues, including recruitment and management.
Professorships Department

As part of swissuniversities, the EDI Office works with the swissuniability online platform, which is managed by the network for studying in Switzerland with a disability (Netzwerk Studium und Behinderung Schweiz).
swissuniversities (German)
swissuniability (German)

IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity and Equality Association of Swiss Universities) is an alliance of equal-opportunity delegates from Switzerland’s ten universities and two federal institutes of technology.
IDEAS

UZH has been a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) since 2006. The EDI Office is part of LERU’s Policy Group Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
LERU Policy Group EDI

Una Europa is an alliance of 11 European universities. The EDI Office is part of Una Europa’s Diversity Council.
learn more about the work of UZH in the Una Europa network
Engaging with Diversity in European Universities
Diversity, equity and inclusion Una Europa

The Wissenschaftsverbund Vierländerregion Bodensee facilities collaboration between its 25 member universities and institutions of higher education.
Wissenschaftsverbunds Vierländerregion Bodensee (German)

The Verein Familie in der Hochschule e.V. is comprised of higher education and similar institutions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland that signed the Charta Family Life and Academia.
The EDI Office has been working with other member institutions to further develop the charta’s standards and translate them into concrete measures that can be implemented at UZH.
Verein Familie in der Hochschule e.V. (German)

Universitas 21 (U21) is a leading global network comprised of 29 research-intensive universities from all continents. The network aims to facilitate collaboration between its members, advance internationalization in education and encourage interaction and exchange at all levels. UZH has been a member of U21 since May 2017 and is currently the only Swiss university that belongs to the network.
learn more about the work of UZH in the U21 network
U21 Collaborative Area EDI
PDF U21 Disability Inclusion Mapping Report