Equality & Diversity

Preventing discrimination and promoting diversity are central to the 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, and sexual orientation and gender identity.

Gender Equality

The action plan to promote gender equality reaches its peak in March (see “Donner des Elles àUM, but throughout the year, the Gender Equality Office within the Workplace Quality Department organizes events, workshops, and meetings to examine women’s professional lives and help energize them.

All of these initiatives, aimed at fostering a culture of equality, are part of broader action plans to promote 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 ‘E’s’ toUM Month of Events Around International Women’s Rights Day”

Every year, the month of March—with its exhibitions, debates, lectures, workshops, films, and performances—is an invitation to reflect on the status of women at the university and in society.

Training Program: “Dare to Try! Women in Higher Education and Research ®”

For more than 10 years, the university has been running the specialized program “Oser! L’ESR au féminin ®” (formerly “Springboard®”) to help female faculty members, female researchers, and BIATSS staff better navigate their careers, build self-confidence, and learn how to promote themselves and communicate more effectively. The workshops consist of three days of in-person sessions, interspersed with two online webinars… with some work to be done between sessions.

Sexual Harassment and Sexist Behavior in Higher Education

Sexual harassment is a form of violence that affects women in particular and perpetuates inequalities between women and men. Since the law of August 6, 2012, the penalties for this offense, as defined in Article 222-33 of the Penal Code, have been strengthened. However, public awareness of the persistence of such incidents has remained too limited for the condemnation enshrined in the Penal Code to be reflected in widespread condemnation by everyone—in social life, in the workplace, or in institutions of higher education and research.

To report gender-based or sexual violence:

• The Project Manager for gender equality at the university
• The Head of the Workplace Quality of Life Department

Indicators Related to Gender Equality

Indicators on gender equality and measures implemented to reduce gender inequalities in institutions of higher education – Academic Year 2024–2025.

Combating LGBT+phobia

48% of young LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender) people in France aged 18–24 have been victims of harassment in the past five years, and 92% have witnessed negative comments or behavior at school directed at a classmate perceived as LGBT. Manifestations of rejection are also particularly common in the workplace.

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

To take a stand against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, in 2016, the University of Montpellier became 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 both male and female students.

As part of this commitment, every year the University of Montpellier organizes a week dedicated to combating LGBT+phobia and participates in the Montpellier Pride Parade.

• Workplace Quality of Life Department / Campus Life Division – Contact: 04 67 14 90 16 / Email
• LGBT+ Phobia Awareness Week

Racism, Anti-Semitism, and Secularism

In late March, as part of National Education and Action Week Against Racism and Antisemitism, various initiatives highlight theUM commitmentUM antisemitism and racial discrimination and promote the values upon which the Republic is founded: liberty, equality, and fraternity.

UM appointed a secularism coordinator whose role is to ensure compliance with the principle of secularism within the university and to coordinate the various initiatives undertaken in this regard within the university.

• Guide to Secularism in Higher Education

Commitment to People with Disabilities

Disability is everyone’s concern… With this in mind, the University of Montpellier has developed a policy outlined in its disability master plan, which is based on the principle of including people with disabilities in the university community.

In addition to the accommodations required by regulations, the University of Montpellier offers concrete and specific initiatives regarding recruitment, support, academic and exam accommodations, employment retention, and the participation of people with disabilities in on-campus and off-campus activities. These initiatives are designed to help people with disabilities live more fully with their disability and feel empowered to thrive as students or staff members.