Celebrate diversity: three extraordinary award winners at the HHU!

Celebrate diversity: three extraordinary award winners at the HHU!

Düsseldorf, Deutschland - On May 27, 2025, the diversity price of the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) was awarded in the Open Working Space of the Cedus. This award, which was awarded for the seventh time this year, recognizes the commitment to diversity and a fair cooperation. Vice -Rector Prof. Dr. Heidrun Dorgeloh held a laudation for the three winners: Prof. Dr. Lena Daumann, Larissa Sieben and Elif Benli.

The diversity price that has existed since 2019 is awarded by a committee from various status groups from the university. The aim is to overcome the active reduction of prejudices as well as physical and psychological barriers. According to the requirements of the price, individuals are awarded for diversity and equality of opportunities at the HHU, which promotes the basics of respectful coexistence in the institution.

The winners in focus

Prof. Dr. Lena Daumann studied chemistry at Heidelberg University and did his doctorate at the University of Queensland. Since 2023 she has been holding the Chair of Bioanorian Chemistry at the HHU and is particularly committed to diversity and equality of opportunities. An innovative project of her is the planning of a pregnancy -friendly laboratory.

Larissa Sieben, who has been working in the HHU Garden of Botanical Garden since 2016 and has headed the training there since 2016, has made a name for herself as an advocate for equality of opportunities and biodiversity. It is known for overcoming bureaucratic hurdles and promoting diversity in training.

Elif Benli, Bachelor student of linguistics and computer science as well as AStA chairwoman, is strongly committed to disadvantaged, queer and migrant students. She initiated numerous events that promote living together on campus and make diversity visible.

diversity and equality of opportunities at the HHU

The diversity price not only honors individuals, but is also a sign that the HHU actively promotes diversity, equal opportunities and tolerance. People from different groups, including professor, are honored, research assistants and students. Criteria such as the initiation and implementation of diversity-sensitive projects play a crucial role in the selection of the award winners.

The dimensions of diversity include various aspects such as age, gender, cultural origin and many more. These diverse dimensions are taken into account in university policy and practice in order to create an inclusive environment in which all members of the community are respected and promoted. Inclusion also includes the critical lighting of existing power conditions to ensure the same access to education and opportunities.

The concept of diversity describes the appreciation and acceptance of the diversity of people and their characteristics. It promotes respectful interaction and is a basic pillar of successful cooperation in institutional structures. Employers are invited to treat and involve the uniqueness of their employees in accordance with their skills in order to realize the principles of equal opportunities.

The Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, with the allocation of the diversity price, is an example of the urgent need to promote diversity and inclusion in academic and institutional contexts. Such committed measures are sustainable together in the educational landscape and in society as a whole.

For more information on the diversity price and the award winners, the pages of the Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf and diversity-price . In addition, the psi valuable insights into the issues of equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion.