equalACT is a joint project between the HfS Ernst Busch and the Berlin University of the Arts that supports women and tin* individuals who combine the topics of gender, diversity and anti-discrimination with artistic research.

equalACT consists of eight sessions and four labs that will take place in Berlin over a period of almost two years. The aim of the project is to create cross-university structures, raise the profile of participants and enable them to network, generate interdisciplinary synergies and initiate innovative, joint artistic research projects. We want to bring together the expertise and initiatives of the HfS and the UdK Berlin and create collective, creative laboratories.

A joint project of the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Berlin University of the Arts, funded by the Berlin Equal Opportunities Programme.

Selected speakers will spark discussion on topics such as body politics, queer futures, care work, archival work, artistic research, and hybrid doctoral formats (t.b.c.). They will open up a space for exchange and the development of shared ideas and concepts. Participation in the sessions is open to all interested students, teachers, researchers, and artists. Women and tin* persons only, first come first serve!

The sessions will take place at the HfS, more information coming soon! Please register at equalact@hfs-berlin.de.

The Labs are practice-oriented laboratories in which women and TIN* individuals from teaching and research at HfS and UdK (academic staff, lecturers, professors) work together with their students. They take place independently of the sessions, but should tie in thematically with them. Teachers from both universities form teams, coordinate their seminars and develop joint interdisciplinary projects with their students. Ideally, they should be integrated into existing courses so that there is no additional workload, but rather a targeted opening up and networking of existing teaching. Funding is available for the implementation of projects in the Labs. The results of the labs will be documented and presented at a final symposium in December 2027.

Register now for the CALL FOR PARTICIPATION [from mid-March!] and take part in the kick-off event on 7 May 2026. At the kick-off, we will present the project and its formats. Afterwards, all participants will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and their interests and make initial contacts. Snacks and drinks will be provided, followed by time for discussions, exchanges and the development of initial ideas for possible collaborations.

Kick-off event to get to know each other on 7 May 2026, 5–8 p.m. / Location: tba

Registration via equalact@hfs-berlin.de

SAVE THE SESSION DATE!

22 July 2026 / Session 1
29 September 2026 / Session 2
28 October 2026 / Session 3
3 December 2026 / Session 4

20 January 2027 / Session 5
3 March 2027 / Session 6
14 April 2027 / Session 7
9 June 2027 / Session 8

End of 2027 (tba) / Symposium

The topics and speakers/workshop leaders will be announced soon.

Susanne Foidl (keine/sie)
Women’s and Equal Opportunities Officer
Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts Berlin
s.foidl@hfs-berlin.de

Vanessa Wozny (sie/ihr)
Women’s and Equal Opportunities Officer
Berlin University of the Arts
frauenbeauftragte@udk-berlin.de

Lorena Boße (sie/keine)
equalACT Coordination & Communication
Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts Berlin
l.bosse@hfs-berlin.de

Lioba Wachtel
student assistant / Berlin University of the Arts

Alina Sophia Taghavinia (sie/ihr)
student assistant / Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts Berlin