The kick-off meetings at the University of Kassel are used for the strategic planning of appointment processes and are an important instrument for taking gender equality and diversity aspects into account from the outset. They take place two years before a (new) professorship becomes vacant.
The member of the Presidential Board responsible for the Faculty, the responsible planner from the Department of Strategic Development, the decentralized and central Women's and Equality Officer, the Dean and the Dean's Office management are involved in the kick-off meeting. Topics include the denomination of the professorship, the advertisement text, the active approach of academics and the composition of the appointment committee. Special attention is also paid to the gender equality situation and the internationalization strategy.
Early kick-off meetings involving the equal opportunities officer open up the possibility to sensitize all parties involved to gender equality aspects and ensure fair procedures. The aim is to promote equal opportunities between the genders and to identify and avoid potential structural disadvantages at an early stage.
