Università della Svizzera italiana
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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 Sustainable Transformation 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 Sustainable Transformation and Equal Opportunity is dedicated to the enhancement of diversity and the protection and promotion of the principles of equity and inclusion. She/he is committed to fostering a culture of ethical and inclusive responsibility for a safe, healthy and peaceful learning, teaching, research and working environment.

    Formerly the Pro-Rector for Research in the Humanities and Equal Opportunity from January 2021, Sonja Hildebrand, Full Professor of Contemporary Architectural History at the USI Academy of Architecture and a member of the Council of the USI Institute for History and Theory of Art and Architecture, is 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:

    External members without voting rights

    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.

     
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  • Action Plan

    The Action Plan for Equal Opportunities, Inclusion and Diversity at USI 2025-2028 is an instrument institutionalised by Università della Svizzera italiana and adopted to monitor the results obtained and to plan, on a four-yearly basis, the measures and initiatives aimed at concretely implementing the principles of fairness, non-discrimination and the promotion of diversity at all levels of institutional lifeThe Equal Opportunities Service is the operational contact point for the implementation of the Plan.

    The 2025-2028 Action Plan represents an important step towards an even broader and strengthened vision of the concepts of equal opportunities, inclusion and diversity, thanks to the introduction of fields of action that, in addition to countering segregative pressures on women's academic career progressions and fostering gender balance in the various academic sectors, aim to eliminate discrimination, improve psychological and social wellbeing, enhance diversity, disseminate an ethical and inclusive culture, and make study and work paths accessible, reconciling professional and private life.

    The institutionalisation of the Action Plan made it possible to participate in the federal programme ‘P-7 Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities in the Development of Universities (2021-2024)’, to which USI adheres together with the other 9 universities, 2 federal institutes of technology and 23 universities in Switzerland.

    As was the case for the four-year period 2021-2024, the 2025-2028 Action Plan is based on the following four fields of action, which can be summarised in Work life Balance, Careers, Figures and 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 planned, i.e. affecting all areas of intervention.

    See the Action Plan for Equal Opportunities, Inclusion and Diversity at USI 2025-2028 in full.

    Read the previous editions (Italian only):

     

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