• Diversity in university-level teaching of health-related study programs in Germany (funded by: Claussen-Simon-Stiftung)
• Symposium „Diversity in Medical Education" (26 May 2025, funded by: Claussen-Simon-Stiftung)
• Projekts CARE – Community Action for Racial Equity
• Diversity in university and higher education teaching of health-related degree programs in Germany – conducting a quantitative cross-sectional survey

previous projects

Diversity climate at German universities: A cross-sectional study among students in health-related subjects

Diversity is essential in higher education, particularly in health-related degree programs, where inclusive and non-discriminatory learning environments are crucial for promoting equity and preparing future health care professionals to care for diverse patient populations. Yet, there is still limited empirical insight into how students in Germany perceive diversity within their universities.

To address this gap, we conducted a national cross-sectional online survey between January and April 2024 among students enrolled in health-related programs across Germany. The study explored students’ perceptions of the diversity climate and examined how experiences of discrimination are associated with psychosocial and academic outcomes. Measures included sociodemographic and educational characteristics, perceptions of diversity climate (across three dimensions: age, ethnicity, gender), experiences and observations of discrimination, diversity- and equity-oriented beliefs, sense of belonging to the university, study engagement, general and academic self-efficacy, and general and study-related stress.

A total of 987 students from 83 universities across all 16 federal states participated. Perceptions of the diversity climate were moderately to highly positive across age (M = 3.91/5, SD = .59), ethnicity (M = 3.63/5, SD = .65), and gender (M = 3.83/5, SD = .59). While the majority reported no personal discrimination, 28% experienced discrimination within the past two years, most commonly due to gender (42%), physical appearance (23%), mental health (20%), or race (13%). Additionally, 45% had witnessed discrimination. Students with personal discrimination experiences reported significantly lower positive perceptions of the diversity climate, lower academic self-efficacy, study engagement, and belonging to the university, higher stress, and stronger diversity- and equity-oriented beliefs. Across the full sample, 61% indicated that teaching materials do not adequately represent diverse groups, and 50% perceived lecturers as insufficiently responsive to discrimination.

The full study will be published soon.

24. Deutschen Kongress für Versorgungsforschung (DKVF) [German Congress for Health Services Research]
from 22 - 24 September 2025 in Hamburg

• “HERO (Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, and Optimism) und Gesundheitsoutcomes bei Migrant*innen: Die Rolle soziodemografischer und migrationsbezogener Faktoren​” [HERO (Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, and Optimism) and health outcomes among migrants: The role of sociodemographic and migration-related factors]
  (Lecture: Dr. Adekunle Adedeji)
• “Sexuelle und geschlechtliche Vielfalt im Medizinstudium” [Sexual and gender diversity in medical studies]
  (poster presentation: Len Schulz)
• “Diversität und Diskriminierung in der ambulanten psychoonkologischen Versorgung” [Diversity and discrimination in outpatient psycho-oncological care]
  (poster presentation: Dr. Ines Heinen)
• “Diversity climate at German universities: a cross-sectional study among students in health-related subjects.”
  (poster presentation: Dr. Saskia Hanft-Robert)

Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Medizinische Psychologie und der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Medizinische Soziologie [Congress of the German Society for Medical Psychology and the German Society for Medical Sociology]
from 3 - 5 September 2025 in Jena

“Diversitätssensibilität in der (psycho-)onkologischen Versorgung und Forschung” [Diversity sensitivity in (psycho-)oncological care and research] - Organization of a symposium with presentations by:

• Dr. Franka Metzner-Guczka, Dr. Saskia Hanft-Robert & Dr. Ines Heinen: “Diversität und Diskriminierung in der ambulanten psychoonkologischen Versorgung” [Diversity and discrimination in outpatient psycho-oncological care]
• Dr. Demet Dingoyan & colleagues: Türkischsprachige Onko-Lots:innen (TOL): “Herausforderungen und Chancen bei der onkologischen Versorgung von türkischsprachigen Patient:innen mit Krebserkrankung” [Turkish-speaking oncology navigators (TOL): “Challenges and opportunities in the oncological care of Turkish-speaking patients with cancer”]
• Dr. Lara Dreismann: “Psychoonkologische Versorgung von sexuellen und geschlechtlichen Minderheiten” [Psycho-oncological care for sexual and gender minorities]
• Dr. Adekunle Adedeji: “Diversitätssensible Entwicklung, Adaptation und Anwendung von Erhebungsinstrumenten – Fallstricke und Lösungsansätze” [Diversity-sensitive development, adaptation, and application of survey instruments—pitfalls and solutions]

5th Cultural Diversity, Migration, and Education Conference
from 19 – 21 August in Berlin

• “Diversity climate at German universities: A cross-sectional study among students in health-related subjects.” (presentation by Dr. Saskia Hanft-Robert)

XVII. UCC Hamburg Research Retreat 2025
from 11 – 12 July 2025 in Hamburg

• “Diversity sensitivity in (psycho)oncological care” (Poster presentation by Dr. Ines Heinen and Dr. Demet Dingoyan – winners of the poster prize)

7. Hamburger Tag der Psychoonkologie „Krebs und Kultur“ [7th Hamburg Psycho-Oncology Day “Cancer and Culture”]
28 March 2025 in Hamburg

• Workshop on “Implementing diversity-sensitive communication in psycho-oncology” by Dr. Ines Heinen and Dr. Franka Metzner-Guczka
• Presentation of the topic „Diversität und Diskriminierung in der Gesundheitsversorgung“ von Dr. Ines Heinen, Dr. Franka-Metzner-Guczka und M.Sc. Saskia Hanft-Robert

Hamburger Symposium Versorgungsforschung und Public Health (CHCR & PH) [Hamburg Symposium on Health Services Research and Public Health (CHCR & PH)]
6 December 2024 in Hamburg

• “Vorstellung eines Forschungsnetzwerkes von Nachwuchswissenschaftler:innen am UKE” [Presentation of a research network of young scientists at the UKE]
  (Poster presentation by Dr. Ines Heinen and Dr. Franka Metzner-Guczka)

We are a team of researchers with over a decade of experience in health, social, and humanitarian research. Our commitment to diversity and equity shapes every aspect of our work. We recognise that psychosocial healthcare is deeply influenced by intersectional processes, which can present challenges in addressing structural barriers and meeting individual health needs. Through our efforts, we strive to contribute to equitable access and inclusive healthcare tailored to diverse needs.

We warmly welcome individuals and experts passionate about this field to join us in fostering collaboration and exchanging ideas.