Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) at the Vienna BioCenter

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) at the Vienna BioCenter is an ongoing, practical effort to improve how we work together - across institutes, roles, and career stages. We aim to create a respectful, accessible, and welcoming environment where people can do their best work. 

Institutional Support

Our campus brings together different institutions, each with its own support structures. At IMBA, GMI, and IMP, EDI is supported by dedicated Officers focused on implementing action plans and integrating EDI into onboarding and leadership training. University-affiliated members and PhD students also benefit from the extensive resources of our partner universities.

Concrete Progress and Initiatives 

We focus on tangible improvements to support our community. Key examples include: 

  • Infrastructure: Upgraded pregnancy labs with technical support and dedicated nursing spaces for staff and visitors.
  • Training: EDI modules integrated into onboarding and leadership development to set clear cultural expectations.
  • Policy: Ongoing updates to anti-discrimination and harassment policies, ensuring they are accessible in both English and German.
  • Transparency: Active pay equity analysis and efforts to make internal documentation more inclusive. 

Ombudspeople

The Vienna BioCenter has trained ombudspeople who provide informal, confidential advice and information to staff and students on issues related to bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct. More information is available here. 

The EDI Group

The campus-wide EDI Group (including GMI, IMBA, IMP, VBCF, and Max Perutz Labs) drives grassroots initiatives, backed by institutional support. By contributing ideas and feedback, the group ensures that inclusion remains a priority in everyday campus life. 

The EDI Group has organized events like the 'Culture Clash' Happy Hour for new PhD students, the Neurodiversity Peer Support Group, and various lectures and exhibitions (e.g., Women Groundbreakers, Women in STEM Day Voices). These initiatives help us navigate internationality and diversity together. 

Contact edi(at)vbc.ac.at if you have event ideas, constructive feedback, or a wish to join the group.