’We need a cultural change to remain competitive’

Advocates for more equal opportunities within the Max Planck Society: Vice President Asifa Akhtar has headed the Presidential Commission on Opportunities since 2020. Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics / Rockoff Advocates for more equal opportunities within the Max Planck Society: Vice President Asifa Akhtar has headed the Presidential Commission on Opportunities since 2020. Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics / Rockoff - Asifa Akhtar is Vice President of the Max Planck Society and head of the Max Planck Presidential Commission on Equal Opportunities. In this interview, she talks about her engagement for a cultural change towards more diversity and inclusion at the Max Planck Society. A plea to dare more diversity and inclusion. Vice President Akhtar, what is the task of the Presidential Commission on "Equal Opportunities" The overall task is to shape the Max Planck Society's equal opportunity and diversity strategy. In addition, we establish new focal points and priorities. It is also very important for us to help monitor existing programmes and initiatives and identify needs for adjustments and improvements. In this big sounding board, a broad range of people are participating - including representatives from our PhD students, postdocs, directors, staff, and also members of the administration. Thus, this committee brings together a wide variety of opinions that we can take into consideration as we move forward. You just mentioned initiatives. Could you give us a few examples of programmes the committee has dealt with so far?