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DESY's new foundation preamble: diversity in practice

Press & Communications

DESY's new foundation preamble: diversity in practice

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

 

Right from the start
DESY strategically focuses on socially relevant future topics such as health, energy, and the development of new and sustainable materials. “In our research projects, transfer aspects and innovation potential are considered right from the start,” says Arik Willner, CTO and representative of the Directorate for Innovation. One example is the planning of PETRA IV, which also takes industrial issues into account. Another is the involvement of colleagues from the ITT area in the Quantum Task Force, an initiative that bundles all activities at DESY on quantum technology. The ITT department is also involved in the early stages of projects such as the German Centre for Astrophysics (DZA) in Lusatia.

Early recognition, quick promotion
The path from fundamental research to application is long and complicated. That's why we have the DESY Generator Programme (DGP). It promotes ideas in an uncomplicated way with start-up funding and brings them further towards market maturity.

Spaces for the future
Transfer projects and new ideas need spaces and networks. DESY is consistently helping to shape the innovation ecosystem – also for Science City Bahrenfeld. In 2021, the Start-up Labs Bahrenfeld opened, a joint project of DESY, the city and Universität Hamburg. In 2023, construction of the DESY Innovation Factory will begin, which will specifically target future industries.

 

Space for new ideas and projects: DESY will become the heart of the future Science City Bahrenfeld (design: HH-BSW / Spengler Wiescholek Architekten Stadtplaner, WES GmbH Landschaftsarchitekten).

SUSTAINABILITY


Sustainability staff unit
DESY has had a staff unit for sustainability since March 2019. Sustainability Manager Denise Völker and her team have already changed and initiated a lot: from switching to green power or sustainable travel to sustainable construction. The participation of the staff is important. That is why all DESY employees can take part in workshops on many different topics. The latest news and information on workshops that have already taken place can be found on the website of the Sustainability Office.

Business trips
Science thrives on exchange. But business trips are bad for the environment. Before the COVID pandemic, flights and trips had increased continuously, so DESY reacted: ever since the decision of the Directorate for Business Trips adopted in 2021, DESY has been following the climate policy principle: Avoid - Reduce - Compensate. This means:


- The number of business trips will be reduced by 30 per cent - compared to the travel situation before the start of the pandemic.
- If the destination can be reached within six hours by train, train use is now mandatory.
- Since this year, DESY has been compensating the consequences of unavoidable air travel.

You can find more information HERE (at the moment only available in German).

Sustainable, biodiverse, and attractive: DESY's building 36 is a pilot project for green facades in Hamburg. Image: L+ Landschaftsarchitekten, visualisation: luminousfields

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND DIVERSITY

 

Gender Equality Plan
DESY has had its equal opportunities plan since January 2022. Its goal is to increase equal opportunities for women and men. The plan, which was adopted by the Directorate, comprises five topic areas:

 - Awareness of unconscious bias
 - Leadership
 - Recruitment and career paths
 - Work–life balance
 - Expansion of STEM activities for girls and young women

A total of 13 concrete measures have been developed for these points, and their implementation and effectiveness will be evaluated on an ongoing basis. The objectives of the first gender equality plan is to raise awareness of the topic as a whole in order to give gender equality activities at DESY more presence and to analyse and prepare topics that should be focused on more strongly in the future. The gender equality plan is valid for two years. The following one will update its forerunner and add new topics. You can find more information here.


Diversity Round Table
The Diversity Round Table in Zeuthen is already celebrating its first anniversary: there have been 10 meetings since 2020, when DESY colleagues established this event as a creative place of exchange for more   and diversity in practice on the DESY campus. The meetings focus on diversity topics such as how to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In addition, a Diversity Cinema Club is planned and a DESY calendar on the topic of diversity is to be designed. The meetings are facilitated by Lia Lang (expert in women's and gender studies) and Summer Blot (astroparticle physicist), on the first Tuesday of each month from 12:00n to 1:00 pm. Interested? Just send an email to: diversity-roundtable@desy.de

Equality and diversity at DESY: A clear commitment to more diversity (Illustration: istock, zak00).