Advisory services

The advisors listed below from the Department of Biology are a first and low-threshold point of contact for problems and conflicts that cannot be resolved in direct discussions with superiors and/or colleagues. All concerns are treated in strict confidence. The confidential counsellors cannot issue orders, but can suggest possible solutions and provide contacts.

Institute of Cell Biology

Institute of Ecology and Evolution

Institute of Plant Sciences

You can find further advisory services here:

The Advisory service guide provides information on offers, advisory centers and points of contact at the University, and on options for how to proceed. This website is structured according to stakeholder groups so that you can quickly find the contact person responsible for your issue.

University Equal Opportunities Department advises all members of the university and university units on various topics (incl. gender identity, sexual orientation; disability, chronic illness and mental health; ethnic and social origin).

The University Ombudsman's Office is an independent authority in case of conflicts for all employees of the University of Bern.

Bern University Counseling Center provides free and confidential personal counselling and coaching to all students and employees of the University of Bern.

The Human Resources Department of the University of Bern ensures proper personnel and salary administration for all employees.

Legal Services of the University of Bern advises members of the University Executive Board, the faculties and other university units as well as the departments of the University Administration on university matters.

Legal advice from the MVUB (for members only): The Intermediate Staff Association (Mittelbauvereinigung; MVUB) supports various concerns.

Legal assistance service and social fund of the SUB (for members only) The Student Union of the University of Bern (SUB) offers various services.

 

Where to report observed or experienced instances of racism and harassment

This is to let you know that there are new instruments in place for victims and observers to report instances of racism and harassment anonymously:

  1. The university has launched a website with info on the university’s current campaign against racism. It includes an email address to report and get help in instances of racism (non-anonymously, although your report will be kept confidential for as long as you like), and a link to a form (in several languages) to report anonymously:
    https://www.unibe.ch/university/portrait/self_image/equal_opportunities/topics/respectful_and_inclusive_study_and_work_environment/racism/index_eng.html
  2. The city of Bern has an ongoing campaign in which you can report instances of any kind of harassment anywhere in town (as victim or observer):
    https://bernschauthin.ch/en/

Note that anonymous reports cannot be used to invoke actions against (named) harassers, and it does not allow the receivers of the reports to reach out to the victims to offer help. However, these reports may pinpoint hotspots and patterns that can then be followed up with targeted actions. Moreover, any sincere report contributes to highlighting that more work needs to be done to make everyone feel safe at this university and in this city.