Today’s administrative department GGD has its roots in the founding of the »Koordinationsstelle für Frauenförderung und Gender Studies« [Coordination Center for the Advancement of Women and Gender Studies] in 2009. The unit is legally mandated by Section 19, Subsection 2, Item 7 of the Austrian University Act, which requires the establishment of an organizational unit responsible for coordinating activities related to equal opportunities, the advancement of women, and gender research at Austrian universities.
In 2015, following the appointment of a new rectorate, an extensive structural reform, and the initial establishment of the Vice Rectorate for Organizational Development and Diversity (formerly: Organizational Development, Gender and Diversity), the coordination center was renamed and institutionally embedded as the administrative department of Equal Opportunities, Gender Studies and Diversity. Since 2024, the administrative department has operated under its current name: Equity, Gender and Diversity.
From its inception, the coordination center has focused on knowledge building through a range of event formats in its fields of activity, with a focus on gender. This led to the establishment of the Gender Lecture Series, which ran from 2009 to 2022 and was documented in the book series »mdw Gender Wissen« [mdw Gender Knowledge], published by Böhlau-Verlag, Vienna.
Another thematic focus has been the communication of gender-specific issues, which led to the 2011 launch of the cross-institutional Plattform Gender_mdw.
Additionally, since 2012, Gender Screenings have been conducted in select fields of study - including composition, conducting, music education, and event series such as »Holz-Blech-Schlag« [Wood-Brass-Percussion] or »Raum für Fanny Hensel« [Space for Fanny Hensel] were organized. These event series aimed to raise awareness of gender-specific issues across music, theater and film.
The administrative department GGD also offers regular opportunities for continuing education, for example on raising awareness of gender or gender-fair language. This work resulted in the publication of the mdw guideline “Fair in Wort und Bild” [Gender-fair Language and Imagery] in 2016. Since 2011, the GGD has also co-designed the training course for new administrative employees (Lehrgang für Neueinsteiger_innen) as well as the introductory modules for new teaching staff (Startmodule für Lehrende) at mdw.
First announced in 2015 as the Gender|Queer-Call, this initiative has since expanded into the Gender|Queer|Diversity-Call. It funds projects that address gender, queer and diversity-related issues and supports their implementation at mdw. Events such as concerts, conferences, and workshops are regularly offered in connection with the funded projects.
Additionaly, since 2016, GGD has also organized annual events to mark Feminist Fight Day (International Women’s Day) on 8 March.
mdw’s bicentennial in 2017 saw the launch of the virtual platform spiel|mach|t|raum. women* at mdw 1817-2017. Building on an exhibition at mdw commemorating the 100th International Women’s Day in 2011, this knowledge platform documents the history of women* at the university. In 2024, it was expanded into »gender|queer|diversity at mdw 1817-2017 plus«.
Starting in 2017, the political decision to initiate a participatory process for developing and implementing a diversity strategy at mdw led to further conceptual development of the GGD with a focus on designing initiatives and programs. In collaboration with 80 faculty members, students and administrative staff, six focus areas were identified, representing key areas at mdw where inequality persists and where practices of inclusion and exclusion are evident.
Two years later, in 2019, the targets and measures linked to the six focus areas were formalized in the mdw Diversity Strategy and incorporated into mdw’s Diversity Strategy Paper. Since then, numerous initiatives have been successfully implemented, to foster study and work environments that are free from discrimination and promote equitable participation. Examples include, offering alternative examination methods for applicants with disabilities, integrating gender and diversity competencies into curricula, launching the »Tricky Moments« webtool to support diversity-aware teaching and implementing the career advancement program »reach higher, reach beyond« for women, intersex, and non-binary researchers and artists at mdw.
mdw’s efforts have already been acknowledged twice by the Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) twice. Both the band project »All Stars inclusive – mdw’s Inclusion-Oriented Band« (2016) and mdw’s participatory Diversity Strategy (2020) were awarded the Diversitas Prize
In 2023, the conference »Ver_Üben. Diversität als diskriminierungskritische Praxis in Kunst, Kultur und Bildung« [Diversity as a Practice for Critically Engaging Discrimination in Art, Culture, and Education] reflected on the process that led to mdw’s Diversity Strategy and explored approaches, strategies and perspectives that support anti-discriminatory, diversity-aware arts training and professional practice. This lead to the 2025 publication of the volume »Üben und Ver_Üben. Diversität als diskriminierungskritische Praxis in Kunst, Kultur und Bildung«.
Over the years, former members of the GGD have made an indispensable contribution to the unit’s sustained and multifaceted work.
Andrea Ellmeier (2009-2025)
Birgit Huebener (2014-2023)
Ela Posch (2021-2023)
Raphaela Ullram (2020-2023)
Miriam Meixner (2021-2022)
Julia Kurinjumala (2017-2021)
Angelika Silberbauer (2015-2018)