Welcome to the Diversity Commission page for Department 07!
The University of Münster – including Department 07 – is committed to a proactive diversity policy. The diversity of perspectives that arises from different backgrounds, experiences, and identities enriches our department. We take a clear stance against interpersonal and structural discrimination and exclusion arising from racism, ableism, sexism, classism, ageism, homophobia, transphobia, and religious intolerance, among other things. We strive to identify structural exclusion mechanisms and break down institutional barriers. Accordingly, recognizing diversity is seen as a cross-cutting task that affects all members, levels, and areas of the department (cf. Mission Statement der Universität Münster).
What does diversity mean?
The term diversity (or variety) refers to the individual, structural, and social similarities and differences between people (DFG, 2025). It is important to see diversity as something that connects rather than divides us, and to acknowledge and value our differences as well as our similarities (cf. Universität Münster, 2025). Diversity approaches see variety as an opportunity and potential, i.e., they are resource-oriented rather than problem-oriented (cf. bpb, 2025).
Various dimensions of diversity can be distinguished. In its equality and diversity concept, the DFG refers, for example, to gender, age, ethnic origin and nationality, sexual orientation, religion and worldview, disability or chronic or long-term illness, and social background (economic situation, non-academic background, migration history) (cf. DFG, 2022). Other approaches emphasize in particular that individuals belong to multiple dimensions of diversity (intersectionality) and highlight that individuals may also be subject to multiple forms of discrimination (e.g., Diversity Wheel; Gardenswartz & Rowe, 1993).
At Department 07 of the University of Münster, we are aware that there are various dimensions of diversity to which individuals (simultaneously) belong. We advocate a proactive diversity policy in which we see diversity as an enrichment and an opportunity.
Our work in the Diversity Commission
The Diversity Commission of Dept. 07 consists of employees and students from the fields of psychology and sport and exercise sciences (cf. Who are we?).
We pursue the following overarching goals:
- To promote a culture within the department that views diversity in all its dimensions as an enrichment and opportunity
- To increase equal opportunities for all individuals working in the department
- To take diversity into account in selection processes and in teaching
We are currently focusing on three main topics:
- The subgroup „Public Work and Consulting“ deals with the visibility of existing counseling services on the topic of diversity for employees and students in the department. This includes the development of a website as well as the dissemination of information through other channels (e.g., screens, social media).
- The subgroup “Diversity Sensitivity in Teaching and Examinations” has set itself the initial task of developing examples of good practice for diversity-sensitive teaching. In the course of this, we want to conduct our own research, gather our own experiences, and launch a survey on the topic among employees and students in the department.
Special topics of diversity in sports science
- The subgroup “Sports Aptitude Test” addresses the question of which barriers the sports aptitude test at the Institute of Sports Science presents and which are intentional and possibly unintentional. To do this, it's currently engaging in discussions with other locations and the “Sports Aptitude Test” commission at the Institute of Sports Science.
Who are we?
The Diversity Commission of Dept. 07 consists of employees and students from the fields of psychology and sport and exercise sciences.
Psychologie Martha Bienefeld Full member Tina de Buhr Deputy member Tanja Hechler Full member Sarah Jurga Full member Nexhmedin Morina Deputy member Luna Scholl Deputy member Franziska Stanke Deputy member Sportwissenschaft Eike Boll Deputy member Christiane Bohn Deputy member Birte Brinkmöller Deputy member Ole Deus Deputy member Tim Göcking Deputy member Lena Henning Chair Uta Kaundinya Deputy member Thea Kraushaar Deputy member Helga Leineweber Deputy member Marc de Lussanet Full member Henk Erik Meier Full member Jule Theermann Deputy member Lena Wiesel Full member If you have any questions about the work of the Diversity Commission of Dept. 07, please contact Dr. Lena Henning.Counseling services for students
Contact person in cases of discrimination, harassment, and violence
- At the Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences, confidential advisors are available to you as contact persons in cases of boundary violations, discrimination, and interpersonal violence. You are also welcome to contact the contact persons if you are unsure whether your concern is serious enough or whether you have come to the right place. The confidential advisors have undergone further training, but are not trained psychotherapists. They are there to listen and refer you to the appropriate authorities. You can find the confidential advisors here: https://www.uni-muenster.de/Sportwissenschaft/en/das-institut/studienkultur/Vertrauensperson.html.
- The central student counseling service also offers confidential counseling for students seeking help after experiencing sexual discrimination, harassment, or violence. E-Mail: zsb@uni-muenster.de.
Contact persons for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses
- At Department 07 Dr. Tanja Andor (Psychology; E-Mail: tanja.andor@uni-muenster.de) and Dr. Franziska Duensing-Knop (Sport and Exercise Sciences; E-Mail: f.duensing-knop@uni-muenster.de) are available as contact persons.
- The autonomous department of asta.ms for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses represents the interests of all students who are disadvantaged in their studies due to physical and mental impairments. E-Mail: asta.behindertenreferat@uni-muenster.de.
Contact persons in case of anti-Semitism
- The current anti-Semitism officer is Dip. theol. Ludger Hiepel; E-Mail: ludger.hiepel@uni-muenster.de.
Contact persons for gender equality issues
- The gender equality officers of Dept. 07 are available as contact persons at the department. These are currently Prof. Dr. Carmen Binnewies (Psychology – E-Mail: carmen.binnewies@uni-muenster.de) and Dr. Christiane Bohn (Sport and Exercise Sciences – E-Mail: bohnc@uni-muenster.de).
- The student equal opportunities officer is partial on the side of students and provides confidential advice on equality issues. Email: studglei@uni-muenster.de.
Contact persons for LGBTQIA+ students
- The autonomous department of asta.ms for gay, bisexual, and queer students represents the interests of all gay, bisexual, and queer students. E-Mail: asta.schwubi@uni-muenster.de.
- The autonomous department of asta.ms for lesbian, bisexual, and queer students represents the interests of all lesbian, bisexual, and queer students. E-Mail: asta.lesben@uni-muenster.de.
- The autonomous department of asta.ms for inter*, non-binary, trans*, and agender (INTA*) students represents the interests of inter*, non-binary, trans*, and agender (INTA*) students. E-Mail: inta.referat@uni-muenster.de.
Counseling services for employees
This list is not in any particular order. You decide who you would like to contact. There is no need to follow the official chain of command!
Contact persons in cases of discrimination, harassment, and violence
- At the Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences, confidential advisors are available to you as contact persons in cases of boundary violations, discrimination, and interpersonal violence. You are also welcome to contact the contact persons if you are unsure whether your concern is serious enough or whether you have come to the right confidential advisors. The confidential advisors have undergone further training but are not trained psychotherapists. They are there to listen and refer you to the appropriate services. You can find the confidential advisors here: https://www.uni-muenster.de/Sportwissenschaft/das-institut/studienkultur/Vertrauensperson.html.
- The counseling center for employees and managers provides advice on sexual harassment and violence in the workplace. It advises all employees in academic and non-academic areas; the contact person is Anne Wienströer; E-Mail: anne.wienstroeer@uni-muenster.de.
Contact persons in case of anti-Semitism
- The current anti-Semitism officer is Dip. theol. Ludger Hiepel; E-Mail: ludger.hiepel@uni-muenster.de.
Contact persons in cases of racism or discrimination based on ethnic origin
- The counseling center for employees and managers provides advice on racism or discrimination based on ethnic origin in the workplace. It advises all employees in academic and non-academic areas; the contact person is Anne Wienströer; E-Mail: anne.wienstroeer@uni-muenster.de.
- The staff council for academic and non-academic employees is also the point of contact for discrimination based on origin; email for academic employees: prwissunims@uni-muenster.de and employees in the Technical and Administrative Staff Sector: personalrat@uni-muenster.de.
Contact persons in cases of discrimination based on religion or belief
- The counseling center for employees and managers provides advice on discrimination based on religion or belief in the workplace. It advises all employees in academic and non-academic areas; the contact person is Anne Wienströer; E-Mail: anne.wienstroeer@uni-muenster.de.
- The staff council for academic and non-academic employees is also the point of contact for discrimination on religious grounds; email for academic employees: prwissunims@uni-muenster.de and employees in the Technical and Administrative Staff Sector: personalrat@uni-muenster.de
Contact persons in cases of discrimination based on disability
- The counseling center for employees and managers provides advice on discrimination based on disability in the workplace. It advises all employees in academic and non-academic areas; the contact person is Anne Wienströer; E-Mail: anne.wienstroeer@uni-muenster.de.
- The staff council for academic and non-academic employees is also the point of contact for discrimination based on disability; email for academic employees: prwissunims@uni-muenster.de and employees in the Technical and Administrative Staff Sector: personalrat@uni-muenster.de.
Contact persons in cases of discrimination based on sexual identity or gender
- The counseling center for employees and managers provides advice on discrimination based on sexual identity or gender in the workplace. It advises all employees in academic and non-academic areas; the contact person is Anne Wienströer; E-Mail: anne.wienstroeer@uni-muenster.de
- The staff council for academic and non-academic employees is also the point of contact for discrimination based on gender; email for academic employees: prwissunims@uni-muenster.de and employees in the Technical and Administrative Staff Sector: personalrat@uni-muenster.de
Contact persons for gender equality issues
- The gender equality officers of Dept. 07 are available as contact persons at the department. These are currently Prof. Dr. Carmen Binnewies (Psychology – E-Mail: carmen.binnewies@uni-muenster.de) and Dr. Christiane Bohn (Sport and Exercise Sciences – E-Mail: bohnc@uni-muenster.de).
- The equal opportunities officer advises members of the University of Münster on issues relating to gender equality. Dr. Bente Lucht is currently the central equal opportunities officer (Email: gleichstellungsbeauftragte@uni-muenster.de), Madeleine Supper is currently the deputy equal opportunities officer for female technical and administrative staff; E-Mail: gleichst@uni-muenster.de.