Equity and inclusion: services and initiatives to foster a culture of respect for all forms of diversity

A space that comes from listening. You can contact the gender-based violence Help Desk in the way that best suits you: telephone, email or WhatsApp.

Contact the help desk 

A space for listening and information to combat discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Contact the help desk 

• Psychological support for the student community (Psychological Support Service) to provide support for emotional and relationship difficulties, as well as issues relating to adjusting to University life.
  Activate the service

• Wellbeing for University staff: the “Avrò cura di me” help desk, for support with situations of emotional overload, relationship difficulties and conflict situations in personal and working life.
  Talk to us

Appointments are free of charge.

The university alias makes the right to self-determination with respect to one’s gender identity a reality. At the University, it can be activated by anyone studying or working at the University of Bologna, as described in the Guidelines [.pdf 241 KB]. 

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Promoting accessibility, inclusion and support for all people with disabilities, SLDs or other learning disorders throughout the entire study and work pathway, is part of the University’s shared culture.

Service for students with disabilities and SLDs 

Students with disabilities, SLDs or other learning disorders will find support activities that enable them to study and sit exams in the most effective way. 

Request an appointment

Disabilities and workplace protection for professional staff 

Integration is supported through the principle of reasonable accommodation, facilitating the adaptation of the context and, where necessary, activating temporary and trial placements and promoting a Disability & Diversity Management approach, ensuring effective facilitation and monitoring processes. 

For more information on Inclusion and Workplace Protection on the University Intranet

For more information on the Inclusion and Workplace Protection Office on the University Portal

Accessibility of the University websites

Information on how the University of Bologna Portal was created and who manages and oversees it.

Go to the dedicated page

Guidelines for maternity protection

They provide recommendations for regulating the conditions of attendance at any training or research activity where a risk to pregnant students and workers treated as such may be identified, for the purposes of maternity protection.

Guidelines for protecting the maternity

Services and initiatives

To support parenting and facilitate the balance between private life, study and work, you can find services and initiatives that meet different educational and care needs. The university community can also use dedicated facilities and spaces:

• Nursery: available in the Veterinary Medicine division in Ozzano dell'Emilia

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• Baby pit stop: in Bologna, the University of Bologna provides fully equipped facilities for new mothers

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• Sports and recreational activities: at CUSB centres and other locations across the various Campuses, for those aged between three and fourteen, run by qualified physical activity and educational staff.

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• Psychological support for caring for children: the service offers psychological support at reduced rates to parents of preschool/school-age children and teenagers.

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Gender Equality Plan 2025-2027

The Gender Equality Plan defines the actions through which the University of Bologna intervenes to make study and work environments fairer. With a view to continuous improvement, it captures and processes the evidence emerging from the Gender Equality Report and translates it into objectives and measures, identifying monitoring indicators and implementation timelines.

The five sections of the Plan define the main areas of action: combating stereotypes, organisational culture, work-life balance, gender equality, research, teaching and combating gender-based violence. The actions and measures set out in the Plan are structured around these areas.

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Gender Equality Report 2025

The Gender Equality Report enables the University of Bologna to monitor over time the presence and opportunities of women and men in the University community and to guide policies and actions to reduce inequalities. The report highlights some key elements for understanding the evolution of the academic context. Data analysis enables the University to guide measures and policies to promote greater equity in study, work and career opportunities.

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Guidelines for the promotion of equal opportunities and gender balance in events and in the composition of working groups and committees of the University of Bologna

To promote an approach that values diversity and individual merit, by ensuring that all members of the university community are given appropriate visibility when participating in scientific and third mission events organised by the University, on scientific committees, or at any other events in which the University participates as a sponsoring institution.

Refer to the Guidelines [.pdf 752 KB]

Attention to equity, diversity and inclusion issues is gradually being incorporated into the University’s training content and programmes, both those aimed at the student community and those dedicated to people working at the University. A sign of this process is the increase in teaching activities linked to goal five, Gender Equality, of the Sustainable Development Goals. Integrating these perspectives into training helps develop competence that is useful for understanding and addressing inequalities in different professional and social contexts.

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A focus on gender issues and inclusive policies is also becoming increasingly prevalent in research processes. In line with European guidelines and with the Gender Equality Plan 2025–2027, the University promotes the integration of these perspectives into projects and scientific programmes. This approach helps improve the quality of research and make the results more representative of society’s different experiences and needs.

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The promotion of equity and sharing also extends to relations with the local area and with society. The University works with institutions, schools, associations and organisations to spread knowledge, promote cultural initiatives and contribute to public debate on these issues. In this way, the University is not only a place of study and research, but also a space for discussion and the shared development of a culture of respect and equal opportunities.

• Vice Rector for Staff

• Deputy Rector

• Vice Rector for International Relations
• Vice Rector for Teaching
• Vice Rector for Research

• Delegate for Multilingualism

• Delegate for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity
• Delegate for Students

• Delegate for Occupational Well-being

• Guarantee Committee for Equal Opportunities, Employee Wellbeing and Non-Discrimination at Work - CUG

• Confidential Counsellor

• Student Ombudsman

• Departmental disability representatives

• Departmental representatives for equity, diversity and inclusion

• Workers' Health and Safety Representatives - RLS

The University is a member of leading international associations that bring together universities differing in history, size and identity, but which, together, aim to broaden their horizons and expand the scope of their activities in pursuit of a shared culture of equality and inclusivity.

Sharing initiatives and projects in networks such as Una Europa, Coimbra Group and The Guild, and actively participating in specialist groups such as the Diversity Council of Una Europa, the Engaging with Diversity in European Universities group, the Gender and Diversity group of the Coimbra Group, the Gender and Diversity Working group of The Guild, as well as leading the SDG5 Cluster of the IAU (International Association of Universities), demonstrate the importance of a collaborative, international approach.

Una Europa report:

• Diversity data collection (2022)
• Engaging with Diversity in European Universities

At the University of Bologna, multilingualism is a resource that broadens opportunities, promotes access to culture and strengthens the recognition of diversity. Our community brings together languages and traditions from many parts of the world, creating relationships between people and cultures.
Intercultural dialogue enriches students, professors and staff with an increasingly international experience.

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