Equality & Diversity

Preventing discrimination and promoting diversity are core values and missions of the civil service. The University of Montpellier is therefore committed to gender equality and to combating discrimination based on disability, racism, anti-Semitism, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Gender equality

The action program to promote gender equality reaches its peak in March (see Donner des Elles à l'UM), but throughout the year, the gender equality office of the quality of life at work department organizes events, workshops, meetings, etc. to examine women's professional lives and boost them.

All these initiatives to establish a culture of equality are part of broader action plans promoting gender equality in the workplace. The new plan (2023-2025) includes thirty new actions to be implemented.

Contacts: Gender Equality Officer: Agnès Fichard-Carroll – Gender Equality Office

"Giving Elles to the UM / Month around International Women's Rights Day"

Every year, March, with its exhibitions, debates, conferences, workshops, films, and shows, invites us to reflect on the situation of women in universities and society.

Training course: "Be bold! Women in higher education and research®"

For more than 10 years, the university has been running the specific program "Oser ! L'ESR au féminin ®" (formerly "Springboard®") to enable female teachers, researchers, and BIATSS staff to better approach their careers, have more confidence in themselves, and know how to promote themselves and communicate more effectively. The workshops take place over three days in person, interspersed with two remote webinars... with a little work between sessions.

Sexual harassment and sexist behavior in higher education

Sexual harassment is a form of violence that particularly affects women and perpetuates gender inequality. Since the law of August 6, 2012, the penalty for this offense, defined in Article 222-33 of the Criminal Code, has been strengthened. However, the persistence of such acts has remained too confidential for the condemnation enshrined in the Criminal Code to be echoed by the condemnation of everyone in social life, at work, or in higher education and research institutions.

To report gender-based or sexual violence:

• The university's gender equality officer at the university
• Head of Workplace Well-Being

Indicators relating to gender equality

Indicators relating to equal opportunities for women and men and actions implemented to reduce inequalities in higher education institutions – Year 2024-2025.

Fighting LGBT+phobia

48% of young LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender) French people aged 18-24 have been victims of harassment in the last five years, and 92% have witnessed negative comments or behavior at school towards a classmate considered to be LGBT. Manifestations of rejection are also particularly common in the workplace.

Approximately 600 staff members at the University of Montpellier responded to a survey conducted by the association L'Autre Cercle. 75% of respondents believe that it is necessary to organize awareness-raising events.

To say no to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, in 2016, the University of Montpellier was the first French university to sign the charter of the association L'Autre Cercle, which aims to promote the inclusion of LGBT+ people in the workplace. Then, in 2022, it continued its commitment by signing a new version of this charter, which now includes students.

As a highlight of this commitment, each year the University of Montpellier organizes a week dedicated to combating LGBT+phobia and participates in the Montpellier Pride march.

• Workplace Well-Being Service / Campus Life Department – Contact: +33 (0)4 67 14 90 16 / Email
• Week against LGBT+phobia

Racism, anti-Semitism, and secularism

At the end of March, during National Education and Action Week Against Racism and Anti-Semitism, various initiatives highlight the UM's commitment to combating anti-Semitism and racial discrimination and promote the values that underpin the Republic: liberty, equality, and fraternity.

The UM has appointed a secularism officer whose mission is to ensure compliance with the principle of secularism within the university and to coordinate the various actions carried out in this regard within the university.

• Guide to Secularism in Higher Education

Commitment to people with disabilities

Disability is everyone's business... On this basis, the University of Montpellier has developed a policy outlined in its disability master plan based on the principle of including people with disabilities in the university community.

Beyond the accommodations required by regulations, the University of Montpellier offers concrete and specific measures concerning recruitment, support, study and exam accommodations, job retention, and participation in intra- and extra-university activities for people with disabilities. These measures are designed to help students and staff with disabilities live more comfortably with their disabilities and feel confident in asserting themselves.