ABSTRACT
Gender-inclusive and diversity-oriented communication is still a subject of social and political controversy throughout Europe. This response also has an effect on communication practices and their acceptance in academic organisations. In this chapter, the author discusses the issue from two angles. First, from the perspective of feminist institutionalism, looking at the principles of togetherness in academic institutions that frame the call for inclusive communication practices. Second, from the perspective of social and cultural psychology, highlighting the functions and effects of forms of communication on the addressed or invisible individuals. Through this, the text points out how verbal and visual language plays a critical role in the ways in which gender and diversity are represented and perceived illustrating the significance of stereotypes and gender bias in communication. Against this background, intersectional requirements, as well as problems in institutional communication at universities will be discussed, including conceptions of gender-inclusive and gender-exclusive communication. Using the example of the Toolbox for Gender-Neutral, Diversity-Oriented Institutional Communication from the RESET project, the chapter will demonstrate how inclusive, and anti-discriminatory practices of communication can be implemented in concrete measures within the framework of the further development of communicative practices. To conclude, resistances, as well as conceptions of safety in communication practices in academic organisations, will be discussed.
