Illustration Diversity

Conference of 7. – 8. Sept. 2023

Diversity and equal opportunities Research and service projects

Immigration, an ageing population and changing gender roles are making our society more diverse. As a result, institutions, businesses and policymakers must adapt their structures and the way they treat people to match the ever-changing requirements and circumstances. Every person has the right to be appreciated and included for their uniqueness, to be given a voice.

Conference of 7. – 8. Sept. 2023

With their research and service projects, the employees of the Lucerne Schools of Business and Social Work help to detect and remove structural and cultural barriers on the path to creating a truly diverse society. They support institutions, businesses, municipalities and cantons in finding a way of dealing with human diversity that is geared towards equal opportunities and developmental possibilities.

Interested institutions, businesses, municipalities and cantons are invited to learn about the diversity expertise of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and find potential partners for their research and service projects. In addition, researchers interested in collaboration can find out about ongoing projects and connect at one of our networking events.

Zwei Männer und ein Kind auf dem Sofa

Gender and sexual orientation

People still experience legal and social discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender. Projects investigating gender inequality in cantons and municipalities, equal pay, or the share of women in senior positions reveal how to recognise and address these issues. Projects focusing on sexual orientation examine the challenges faced by rainbow families and conduct surveys on the health of LGBT people.

Frau spritzt sich Insulin

Impairments and disability

Participation, independence and quality of life are key issues for people with impairments. Our researchers evaluate their potential, needs and desires and develop decision-making tools for policymakers, guidelines for businesses, and consultation concepts.

Studierende im Gespräch

Interculturality and migration

People with different cultural backgrounds enrich our society. Our research and service projects show ways to improve access to the Swiss jobs market, social security and education for refugees and people with a migrant background. Projects about intercultural communication study the ways in which diverse sets of values are being handled in the working world.

Ältere Frau arbeitet an einem Computer

Age and generations

Regardless of the challenges it may bring, our ageing population also has untapped potential. Among other things, it is being explored in projects on volunteer work among older people, in the design of multi-generation housing and in studies on digitally supported “smart ageing”. Our researchers are also developing tools for age-friendly planning at cantonal and local level.

Vier Erwachsene im Gespräch an einem Tisch

Social status and poverty

People who are affected by poverty have a right to support that should be tailored to their specific and diverse needs. Our projects investigate if there are gaps in the availability and accessibility of the support and in its quality and whether people affected by poverty have adequate access to legal advice and protection. They help public authorities to improve the quality of their work.

Familie im Homeoffice

Reconciliation of work and family life

How do families reconcile unpaid care work with employment? What can the private and public sectors do to facilitate this process and how does it benefit the economy and society at large? Our research and service projects provide answers for cantons, local authorities and businesses.

Collage verschiedener Portraits

Diversity and intersectionality

How can businesses and organisations survey the diversity of their workforce, identify areas requiring improvement, realise their potential and prevent inequality? Our researchers have developed tools and indices to help them find out. Other projects investigate how multiple dimensions of diversity intersect in different contexts and identify ways to ensure equal opportunities in the working world, in social security and in public health.