Equal Opportunities Officer

Together against discrimination, violence and abuse of power

United for a respectful campus
The Karlsruhe University of Music is a place of artistic freedom and mutual trust. This freedom requires a safe environment. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination, sexual harassment or abuse of power. If your personal boundaries have been crossed or you have witnessed an incident, you can find discreet support here.

First steps in an emergency

• Stay calm & seek safety: Remove yourself from the immediate situation.
• Confidential initial consultation: A conversation with our confidential advisors remains strictly confidential.    
  No action will be taken without your explicit consent.
• Documentation: Make a note of incidents as soon as possible (Who, When, Where, What?). 
  This will help if you later decide to make an official report. (Statement of facts). 

Internal points of contact:

Issues relating to anti-discrimination

This office is dedicated to protecting against discrimination on the grounds of ethnic origin, gender, religion, belief, disability, age or sexual identity (in accordance with the General Equal Treatment Act). The aim is to ensure a learning and working environment free from discrimination, in which diversity is embraced as a strength.

• Complaints management: Receiving and investigating cases in which members of the university feel they have been treated unequally or disparaged.
• Conflict resolution: Mediation in cases of discrimination and developing solutions to restore a respectful working environment.
• Advising the university: Supporting the development of measures to identify and prevent structural discrimination at an early stage.

Sexual harassment and violence

Sexualised discrimination and violence can take verbal, non-verbal or physical forms and can affect people in the workplace, at university or in their private lives. They violate personal rights and are often based on an abuse of power. The Karlsruhe University of Music protects those affected, provides advice in the event of incidents and takes disciplinary action against misconduct. Teaching staff bear a particular responsibility to ensure respect, maintain appropriate distance and set clear boundaries.

• Crisis intervention: Immediate, discreet counselling in cases of harassment, stalking or assault within the university context.
• Information: Guidance on the rights of those affected and the possible formal steps to take (e.g. lodging an official complaint).
• Prevention: Raising awareness within departments regarding the maintenance of professional distance in one-to-one artistic tuition.

Student Union (AStA)

The Student Union is the first point of contact ‘on an equal footing’. It serves as a safe space for students to discuss concerns or incidents initially within the familiar circle of fellow students. The AStA acts as a bridge between the student body and the university management.

Initial counselling: Low-threshold support for conflicts arising in everyday student life or with teaching staff.

Accompaniment: Upon request, accompaniment to official meetings or counselling appointments with the university management or designated representatives.

Advocacy: Incorporating student perspectives into the university’s preventative measures

Music Medicine

Musicians should be familiar with the basics of anatomy and neurophysiology, as their careers place significant strain on the body, mind and spirit. Muscle tone regulation, good posture and effective practice strategies are important for avoiding overexertion. Early prevention during one’s studies, as well as mental training, relaxation, breath control and managing stage fright, are essential.

Equality & Equal Opportunities

Issues relating to equality

The Equality Officers are the body established by law to ensure equal opportunities. Their purpose is to represent the interests of all genders in university policy and to ensure that no one is disadvantaged on the basis of their gender. They serve as advisory members on the most important decision-making bodies.

• Quality assurance: Monitoring the Women’s Advancement Plan and statutory equality quotas.
• Committee work: Participating in appointment procedures and committee meetings to ensure a fair and unbiased selection of staff.
• Catalyst: Initiating projects on gender equality within teaching and artistic practice

Power and Responsibility

In 2024, the German Rectors’ Conference addressed the issue of abuse of power. It formulated six measures to which the Karlsruhe University of Music is committed.

• Position paper by the “Conference of Rectors of German Universities of Music” (RKM) on dealing with abuse of power at universities of music, dated 13 May 2024
  https://die-deutschen-musikhochschulen.de/presse/
• Position paper
  https://die-deutschen-musikhochschulen.de/wp-content/uploads/Positionspapier_Machtmissbrauch_der-RKM.pdf
• Recommendation of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) on measures against abuse of power, adopted at the 38th HRK General Assembly on 14 May 2024
  https://www.hrk.de/positionen/beschluss/detail/macht-und-verantwortung/

In May 2026, the Karlsruhe University of Music participated in the academic study on abuse of power at German music universities conducted by the independent research institute IPP Munich.

Ministry Confidential Advisor

Michaela Spandau is the external confidential advisor appointed by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts. She can provide you with initial legal advice in cases of sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and violence, including on an anonymous basis and subject to legal professional privilege. 

External contact points