In most quality assurance approaches, diversity is regarded as a challenge or even as a problem. As any QA system requires at least a minimum of standardisation and regulation, the variety of goals, interests and interpretations which characterise most higher education institutions (HEIs) can be quite difficult to handle – and only rarely become manifest in more formal QA systems. This workshop aims at re-framing diversity as a major opportunity rather than a risk
factor. Using a combination of presentation, group work and plenary discussions, it intends to identify criteria for “diversity-friendly” QA systems and to map good practices with regard to stakeholder empowerment and de-centralisation strategies.