All chemists are welcome at the GDCh. In our mission statement it says, among other things: "We live diversity and equal opportunities". We represent a variety of people from different cultures, with different backgrounds and different diversity characteristics and experiences. We want to act in an equitable, respectful and inclusive way towards our diverse community and are determined to counteract any form of discrimination."

In 2016, the GDCh Executive Board established the Commission Equal Opportunities in Chemistry established. One of its activities was the development of the GDCh mission statement for equal opportunities in chemistry, which was adopted by the GDCh Board in 2018. In December 2021, the GDCh Board adopted the Guidelines for gender-sensitive language in the GDCh

The GDCh Board is elected by the members. What goals do the Board members pursue with regard to equal opportunities and diversity? Here you will find some statements.

What do our members say about equal opportunities and diversity? Here are some opinions of GDCh members.

Our young members representing the JCF (JungesChemieForum) are also committed to equal opportunities. Here you can find more information.

The GDCh strives to use gender-sensitive language in all texts it publishes. Since January 2021, the GDCh member journal "Nachrichten aus der Chemie" has been using gender-sensitive language to address and reflect all genders. (to the interscript). Furthermore, in its Corporate Design Manual updated in March 2021, the GDCh asks all employees in the office and volunteer members to use gender-inclusive language for all publications. The manual is available to all employees and functionaries.

• The GDCh is a co-signatory of the Statement on inclusion and diversity in the chemical sciences of 8 June 2020.
• GDCh Managing Director Prof. Wolfram Koch is a co-signatory of the Statement on Diversity & Inclusion at ChemRxiv from 10 June 2020.
• Our partner publisher Wiley-VCH updated its guidelines on changing the author's name in January 2021. This makes it easier for researchers to change their name based on gender identity, religion or relationship status. Publications are the basis for researchers' professional careers. Transgender scientists were previously forced to indicate when applying for a grant, for example, if a name in their publication history did not match. The new name change guidelines ensure that a person's entire bibliography is assigned to the same name. This change can be made without automatically making corrections or notifying co-authors.
• The GDCh advocates an appreciative and unprejudiced working environment that values talent on the basis of their achievements - regardless of age, gender and gender identity, ethnic origin and nationality, religion and belief, sexual orientation and identity, or physical ability. That is why we signed the Charter of Diversity in March 2021.

• IUPAC Global Women's Breakfast

For the 1st Global Women's Breakfast 2019, female chemists met at over 100 locations worldwide for a breakfast to get to know each other and discuss issues. There were also four meetings in Germany: at the GDCh office in Frankfurt (see photos below) and at the University of Leipzig , women chemists came together at the invitation of the GDCh for talks, discussions and a cosy breakfast

Since then, a worldwide event series of the Global Women's Breakfast takes place every year in February. The GDCh and many of its members are also involved in the various events. An overview of the events offered in the respective year can be found on the pages of IUPAC

• GDCh prizes

The GDCh awards high-ranking prizes and honours to all age and career levels in various fields of chemistry and related sciences. According to the award guidelines all eligible scientists can be nominated, regardless of gender, (ethnic) origin, nationality or age and regardless of whether they are members of the society or not. For several years now, the GDCh Executive Board has expressly ensured that selection committees are gender-balanced. (Note: Since committee members are appointed for several years, the composition of committees only changes gradually). The commissions are reminded that the promotion of equal opportunities for men and women in chemistry is one of the statutory purposes of the GDCh and that therefore more deserving female chemists should be nominated. The commissions are asked for a justification if nominations have been submitted for women who have not been proposed for the award by the commission

Would you like to contribute to equal opportunities in our awards? Then suggest qualified candidates. You can find out which prizes are currently being offered on our website.

With the Hildegard Hamm-Brücher Prize for Equal Opportunities in Chemistry the GDCh recognises exemplary behaviour in the promotion of more equal opportunities in chemistry. Individuals, teams, groups or organisations who are committed to or have committed themselves to equal opportunities with innovative projects are to be honoured. The award was announced for the first time in November 2020. more

You can reach this page at
gdch.de/diversity

To the commission
Equal Opportunities in Chemistry

back to overview GDCh

Hildegard Hamm-Bruecher Prize for Equal Opportunities in Chemistry
to the call for applications

Contact:

pr@gdch.de