Equal opportunities at USI

The principle of equal opportunities prohibits any direct or indirect discrimination based on gender, age, ethnic and cultural background, sexual orientation, physical and mental conditions. In line with its inspiring values, USI is committed to implementing and promoting a culture of equity, inclusion and valorisation of diversity both within its own community and in its relations with external organisations.

 

USI puts these principles into practice through:

  • the Pro-Rectorate for Research in the Humanities and Equal Opportunities;
  • the Delegation for Equal Opportunities; 
  • and the Equal Opportunities Service.

In order to monitor the results obtained and to plan the measures to be implemented to safeguard the principles of fairness and non-discrimination and to promote diversity at all levels of institutional life, USI adopts an Action Plan for Equal Opportunities.

 

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  • The Pro-Rectorate

    The Pro-Rector for Research in the Humanities and Equal Opportunities assists the Rector in the management and development of the University on the basis of specific mandates.

    Since January 2021, Sonja Hildebrand, Professor for the History of Modern and Contemporary Architecture at the USI Academy of Architecture and member of the Board of the Institute of the History and Theory of Art and Architecture at USI, has been the acting Pro-Rector.

    Sonja Hildebrand replaced Prof. Daniela Mondini, Pro-Rector for Research in the Humanities and Equal Opportunities between 2017 and 2020.

     

  • The Delegation

    The Equal Opportunities Delegation assists the Rectorate in implementing the principle of equal opportunities in research, teaching and administrative activities at the Università della Svizzera italiana.

    In particular:

    a. it contributes to the definition of the University's strategic objectives in the field of equal opportunities, drawn up on the basis of the University's needs and detailed in the Action Plan for Equal Opportunities.
    b. it addresses opinions and advice to the Rectorate on issues concerning equal opportunities in the University's research, teaching and administrative activities.
    c. it supports the Faculties and administrative services in implementing the principle of equal opportunities in compliance with their specific mandates.
    d. it monitors recruitment, tenure, promotion and tenure procedures and the activities of the Fondo Istituzionale per la Ricerca.
    e. it annually awards the Prize for scientific contributions on equality and diversity issues.

     

    Composition

    The Delegation meets at least once a semester and is composed of a Pro-Rector who chairs it, members of the higher academic and professorial body of each Faculty (professors and/or lecturers/researchers) and the head of the Equal Opportunities Service (coordinator).

    The Delegation for Equal Opportunities is currently composed of:

     

    Legal Bases and Official Documents of the Delegation for Equal Opportunities

    • Directive on the Delegation for Equal Opportunities (in updating)
    • KIT for Notice Commissions (in updating)

     

  • The Equal Opportunities Service

    The Equal Opportunities Service is the administrative office of reference for all of the university-related activities and initiatives aimed at promoting a culture of equity, transparency, and valorisation of diversity among USI community.

    In particular, the Service promotes:

    • measures that encourage respect for gender diversity at all levels and in all university bodies;
    • conditions that make it possible to reconcile family life with university work and study;
    • special measures that support and incentivise women wishing to pursue careers in academic teaching and research;
    • teaching and research programmes that take gender equality and diversity into account;
    • and measures that ensure equal conditions for study, teaching and work.

     
    Contact

     

  • Action Plan

    The Action Plan for Equal Opportunities is is an instrument institutionalised by the Università della Svizzera italiana and adopted to monitor the results obtained and to plan the measures to be implemented to safeguard the principles of equity and non-discrimination and to promote diversity at all levels of institutional life.

    Through the Action Plan for Equal Opportunities, USI sets on a four-year basis the objectives and initiatives aimed at concretely implementing the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in teaching, research and university governance. The Equal Opportunities Service is the unit responsible for the implementation of the Plan.

    The institutionalisation of the Action Plan enabled participation in the federal programme "P-7 Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities in the Development of Universities (2021-2024)", in which USI participates together with the other 9 universities, 2 Federal Institutes of Technology and 23 universities in Switzerland.

    For the next four-year period, the measures in Action Plan 21-24 will be divided into four thematic areas, which can be summarised in the "4 Cs" of Conciliazione (Work/Life Balance), Carriere (Careers), Cifre (Figures), and Cultura (Culture). Each of these areas envisages the implementation of specific initiatives, aimed at one or more target audiences, internal and/or external to the university community. In addition, cross-cutting activities are foreseen, which will affect all four areas of intervention. 

     

    Read the full Action Plan for Equal Opportunities 2021-2024 (Italian only).

    Read the previous editions: