This year’s Diversity Days are titled 'Family Matters: Balance & Belonging'. The event will focus on the intersections of family and academia. The Diversity Days, also supported by the Queer Network NRW, will also highlight the importance of synergies and exchange between academia and civil society organizations.

In addition to a reading and a workshop addressing the question of 'compatibility of parenthood and academia', a session on 'families (of choice) and queer communities' will broaden perspectives on family models beyond heteronormativity and will also discuss the discrimination faced by trans individuals within their families. Furthermore, a workshop on the diversity strategy and the annual network meeting will take place.

Leah Petersen from the Department of Geography is participating in the session “You get to pick your family*” with a presentation on the discrimination experiences of trans* individuals within their families and as a panelist in the discussion.