In 2026, BOKU will present its first Diversity Award for Teaching.

 

Why? 

With the Diversity Award for Teaching, BOKU honors courses, teaching concepts, and activities that highlight and strengthen diversity in content, methods, learning environments, and teaching teams. Diversity-oriented teaching has been proven to increase quality, reduce bias (unconscious assumptions), and broaden perspectives. It contributes to fair participation and supports students in their diversity. The aim is to highlight and value teaching approaches that promote diversity.

Prize money

•    €1,500 main prize Diversity Award for Teaching

•    €500 recognition prize

Submission and awarding

1.)    Fill out the submission form.

2.)    Send it by February 28, 2026, to kostelle(at)boku.ac.at with the subject line: Submission for the Diversity Award for Teaching.

3.)    Selection by the jury and feedback by April 30, 2024.

4.)    Award ceremony for the Diversity Award for Teaching as part of Diversity Day on June 3, 2024, at the Türkenschanze campus

Who can submit an entry?

All BOKU University teaching staff—either as individuals or as a team—who teach in a diversity-sensitive manner are invited to submit an entry. Course offerings (ongoing or completed), teaching/examination methods, teaching materials, and formats will be submitted and evaluated.

Criteria

Evaluations are based on a catalog of criteria with three main criteria and a bonus for innovation and creativity. All sub-items are possible interpretations (optional criteria).

1.    Content & methods (diversity-sensitive teaching)

  • Diversity-sensitive teaching content (e.g., diversity, inclusion, social justice, accessibility, intersectionality, social inequality, gender/diversity, intercultural skills, care work)
  • Diversity-sensitive teaching/assessment methods (e.g., interactive, accessible, hybrid/flexible formats; open exams; choice/self-determination)
  • Interdisciplinarity and diversity of perspectives

2. Person & Participation (Diversity in teaching design and participation)

  • Consideration of student diversity (e.g., gender, socio-cultural factors, disability, care responsibilities)
  • Equal opportunities & inclusive learning environment
  • Team diversity in teaching
  • Student participation & empowerment (feedback, co-creation, critical reflection)

3.    Social impact & visibility

  • Social relevance and promotion of diversity/inclusion beyond the course
  • Visibility of underrepresented groups (e.g., through reading lists, examples, projects, guest speakers)
  • Sustainability, structural impact, continuity

Bonus: Innovation & creativity

  • Creative, novel approaches in content, didactics, examination forms, or collaborations
  • Role model character/best practice with transfer potential

 

Note: All sub-items of the criteria are optional criteria. Diversity of approaches is expressly recognized; innovation and creativity are also taken into account.

Selection

A diverse jury from different organizational units at BOKU and an additional student jury will review the submissions and nominate the winners.