Leading by example in Diversity 2025: F.A.Z. Institute honors the University of Hohenheim for the third time in succession

Leading by example in Diversity 2025:
F.A.Z. Institute honors the University of Hohenheim for the third time in succession [29.09.25]

Recognition for diversity in practice: Among the universities, the University of Hohenheim takes 3rd place in Germany and 2nd place in Baden-Württemberg.

Whether gender and gender identity, family situation, ethnic origin, religion and ideology, age, sexual orientation, physical and mental abilities, or social background: The University of Hohenheim views diversity as potential and actively opposes discrimination of any kind. In recognition of this, the F.A.Z. Institute presented it with the "Role Model in Diversity 2025" award - for the third time in a row.

"We are delighted that our systematic efforts to achieve equal opportunities for all has been honored with this award," stated Prof. Dr. Ute Mackenstedt, the Gender Equality Representative at the University of Hohenheim. "We know from our many years of commitment to equality between women and men: Disadvantages often have complex causes and cannot be easily eliminated. This makes it all the more important to take a close look, proceed systematically, and show staying power. We do this as part of sustainable diversity management." This also encompasses the "audit vielfaltsgerechte hochschule", for which the University of Hohenheim was one of the first two universities to receive the certificate in June 2023.

Diverse measures for embodying diversity

A newly established Senate Committee on Diversity oversees the implementation of the measures. For example, the university has joined forces with the Arbeiterkind e.V. association, aiming to make it easier for prospective students and students from educationally disadvantaged families to enter university. The onboarding process is also being expanded to make it easier for new employees to find their feet and to take special problems into account.

Workshops and training courses sensitize managers to the topic of diversity and new measures are to be developed to help improve collaboration between older and younger employees. A "Guide to Advising" and a "Guide to Gender-Appropriate Language" provide orientation on the respective topics. In addition, the new "Diversity Guide" website will make it easier to find all relevant contact points and information.

Diversity management is coordinated by the "Office for Equality and Diversity". Kathrin Schopenhauer started work as Diversity Officer in spring 2025 and wants to make a big difference: "Diversity and inclusion are core values for the University of Hohenheim. We promote equal opportunities and respectful coexistence, regardless of origin, gender, age, or religion." Furthermore, she is clear: "Discrimination has no place in Hohenheim! Rather, we create inclusive conditions in which all members of our university can develop their full potential."

One thing Prof. Dr. Mackenstedt finds very important: "We ask anyone who has a concern to get in touch with us." After all, all sections of the university are involved in implementing the measures on a day-to-day basis.

2nd place among universities in Baden-Württemberg

If only the universities are considered in the study by the F.A.Z. Institute, Hohenheim ranks 10th in Germany with 87.2 out of 100 points and second in Baden-Württemberg after the University of Konstanz. In the category "state universities," in which all types of higher education institutions are combined, a total of eleven higher education institutions received the award.

The study by the F.A.Z. Institute evaluated data from social media monitoring for about 17,000 companies from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2025. Social media was analyzed for relevant information and the results evaluated with the help of artificial intelligence. The analysis looked at the three topics of equality, fairness, and gender shift, each weighted with 33 per cent in the evaluation. In this vein, it is not enough to shine in just one subject area to win an award.

At the same time, a structured questionnaire was sent out to companies covering the three topics of corporate mission & diversity, diversity targets, and performance. The criteria were evaluated on a scale of 0 to 100 specific to the industry. An award is given to those companies that are above average in the overall ranking.

The F.A.Z. Institut für Management-, Markt- und Medieninformationen GmbH is a company of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung publishing group. The study was accompanied by the IMWF Institute for Management and Economic Research as scientific partner.


Additional information

• "Leading by example in Diversity 2025"
• Ranking in the "State universities" sector
• Report on the study by the F.A.Z. Institute
• Gender Equality and Diversity Office at the University of Hohenheim
• Audit "vielfaltsgerechte hochschule"
• Guide to Gender-Appropriate Language

Contact for press:

Prof. Dr. Ute Mackenstedt, University of Hohenheim Gender Equality and Diversity Office, +49 711 459 22275, [email protected]

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