Release from
On the occasion of International Women's Day on March 8, the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology provides information on current developments and measures in the area of equality and diversity.
In Austria, around 50,000 women are employed in research and development. This corresponds to approximately 32 percent of all researchers. In terms of full-time equivalents, the proportion is around 25 percent.
At AIT, women make up around 33 percent of all employee groups. Brigitte Bach, spokesperson for the AIT management board, explains: “Equality is an essential part of our organizational development. Diverse teams strengthen quality and innovation in research and technology.”
Equality and diversity strategically established
Numerous studies show that diverse teams promote creativity, innovation, and economic success.
The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology has therefore been focusing on equality and diversity for many years and pursues a comprehensive gender mainstreaming concept throughout the entire employee life cycle. This is based on four central pillars with numerous measures:
1. Young talent in STEM: Inspiring young women to take an interest in research and technology at an early age, for example through cooperation with schools and universities or initiatives such as Daughter's Day.
- Gender- and diversity-sensitive recruiting: Consciously designing selection processes, including through training for managers.
- Development and career: Targeted programs to promote women in research, such as the Female Leadership Program.
- Family-friendly company: Measures to improve work-life balance, e.g., modern parental leave management and flexible working time models.
“In addition to concrete measures, what is needed above all is an organizational culture in which diversity is a matter of course. That is why AIT is continuously working to strengthen an open and inclusive working environment and to promote a conscious approach to diversity in communication and cooperation,” says Brigitte Bach, spokesperson for the management of the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology.
Continuous monitoring
Equality and diversity are anchored in organizational and personnel development at AIT. Key figures on personnel development with a focus on diversity are collected regularly. In addition, an equality plan has been drawn up. A gender office was established in November 2024. There are also internal contact structures, including a gender representative and a gender task force. The internal AIT WOMEN:Network supports networking and information needs. Bach emphasizes: “Strategic anchoring means systematically recording developments and continuously developing structural framework conditions.”
Measures in personnel development and recruiting
AIT implements various measures to promote equal opportunities. These include internal training opportunities, exchange formats, and leadership development programs. The goal is to further develop transparent processes throughout the entire employer lifecycle. In recruiting, attention is paid to gender-sensitive wording and structured selection procedures. “A reflective approach to unconscious bias is a prerequisite for fair and transparent decision-making processes,” says Bach.
Dialogue and framework conditions
Internal dialogue with employees is part of organizational development. Regular exchange formats serve to identify experiences and potential for improvement.
AIT pursues an approach that takes into account different stages of life and individual circumstances. Flexible working models and transparent career paths are designed to help secure long-term development opportunities.
High satisfaction rating among AIT employees
The results of the Work Environment Survey at AIT have shown that the ongoing gender and diversity measures are bearing fruit: 90 percent of AIT employees feel they are treated fairly regardless of their origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, and nationality. Around 85 percent are proud to work at AIT and would recommend AIT as an employer.
Brigitte Bach concludes: “We are therefore continuing on our path. We need more women in research! That's why equality is not a one-off project, but part of continuous organizational development.”
Voices from AIT on International Women's Day: www.ait.ac.at/stimmen-zum-weltfrauentag
Further information can be found on the website at https://www.ait.ac.at/en/career/diversity
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