Strengthening institutional support for gender equality and diversity: the fun, the benefits and the best approaches

In this talk I will first discuss some dimensions of diversity amongst the staff of scientific research institutes and how these relate to the current legal and political framework within a German institutional context. I will then ask whether every Max-Planck director should be interested in strengthening support for gender equality and diversity at the institutional level. I will follow this with a discussion of the obstacles that prevent gender equality and diversity to be on everyone‘s agenda. I will explain some of the benefits of thoughtfully enhancing gender equality and diversity and discuss some approaches how to go about this in a practical way.