The 2025 Senate Election Program

UnIViT: We are the Independent Initiative for Diversity and Transparency

Over six years of Senate work, UnIViT has addressed numerous challenges faced by faculties and centers and contributed fresh ideas to the development plan “University of Vienna 2031.” Our goal is to be more strongly represented in the university's governing body after the Senate election on May 15, so we can help shape the university more actively. We are committed to strengthening the democratic, pluralistic, and balanced work of the Senate.

What We Stand For:

Transparency and Democracy

 

• UnIViT advocates for cross-faculty open debate and transparent communication within the Senate. The Senate is the "parliament of the university." We ended the one-party system in professor representation and created democratic electoral choices. Open and constructive debate between different Senate lists is essential for UnIViT to enable multi-perspective discussions and future-oriented decisions — especially in the Senate's core matters.

 

Diversity and Inclusion

 

• Women remain underrepresented in many academic disciplines, particularly in professorships. UnIViT initiated the first-ever appointment of honorary female senators in the university's history. For us, diversity also includes supporting other underrepresented identities — for example, regarding social background or ethnicity — as well as recognizing diverse academic cultures and interdisciplinary research.

 

Ecological Sustainability

 

• Sustainability and climate protection are key challenges for the University of Vienna. UnIViT has played a pivotal role in embedding ecological sustainability into university discussions and strategic planning, and anchoring it in the development plan.

 

Support for Early Career Researchers – Tenure Track

 

• UnIViT advocates for high-quality appointment procedures and the support of early career researchers. We have critically examined the Tenure Track process and developed proposals for improvement — especially concerning panel composition, qualification criteria, and tenure career paths.

 

Commitment to an Engaged University

 

• Universities have the responsibility to actively shape the future. UnIViT stands for a university that takes a stance on social and political issues and assumes societal responsibility. Since 2022, we have organized six professorial forums to discuss higher education and socio-political topics.

 

What We Will Continue to Work For

Advocating for the Interests of All Staff

UnIViT will continue to represent the interests of all staff members, such as improving salaries and classification in administration. Expanding participatory committees and processes will ensure that all university groups are more actively involved.

Support and Development for Early Career Researchers

UnIViT remains committed to making the University of Vienna a leading university in Europe. We promote excellent young researchers and work on improving the Tenure Track process and the appointment procedure for §99 professorships.

Higher Education and Social Policy Challenges: Teacher Education Reform

Teacher education plays a key role in the university’s development, as teaching students make up a significant portion of the University of Vienna’s student body. The reform of teacher education must be a high priority.

Interdisciplinary and Internal Networking

UnIViT aims to create more opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange to better utilize the potential of this large university. Our professorial forums and networking events for newly appointed professors are creative platforms for dialogue that we will continue to support.