Celebrating International Women's Day: Diversity and equality in focus at the Department of Agroecology
In commemoration of International Women's Day, we aim to shed light on the important work carried out by the Diversity and Gender Equality Committee at the Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University. Established in September, the committee has joined a living lab project that aims to enhance diversity and equality in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
A significant aspect of the committee's efforts involves participation in a 'Living Lab' project, supported by the VILLUM Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the innovation agency IS IT A BIRD. This project brings together 13 university environments across Denmark to address the challenges of attracting and retaining female researchers in STEM disciplines.
"We face a challenge in ensuring diversity, particularly at the leadership level. The Living Lab project allows us to scrutinize our own practices and share data with the other project partners. We aim to identify unknown biases and lay the foundation for positive change," explains Franca Giannini-Kurina, an active member of the committee.
The committee is preparing to launch a survey distributed to all department members via email in the coming weeks. The goal is to collect feedback and raise awareness about diversity challenges within the department.
In honour of International Women's Day, the committee encourages all staff to engage in this important discussion and respond to the survey, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and diverse research environment.
Living Lab Project: A step towards diversity in STEM
The Living Lab project in which the Department of Agroecology participates represents a crucial step in creating a diverse and inclusive environment within STEM fields. The project brings together 13 university environments to explore and implement solutions to diversity challenges.
Participants actively work to identify and address barriers preventing women from pursuing careers in academic STEM fields. By focusing on leadership within the department, the committee aims to make changes that will have a lasting positive impact on diversity.
"The Living Lab project gives us a unique opportunity to examine our own practices while learning from other university environments. We want to create a culture that promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of our research environment," states Franca Giannini-Kurina.
Survey: Join the conversation on diversity
As part of the Living Lab project, the committee is preparing to launch a comprehensive survey distributed to all department staff. The goal is not only to gather data on perceived diversity but also to create awareness and initiate a broader discussion on diversity and equality.
"We don't just want to know how people experience diversity in the department but also to raise awareness about the issue. Therefore, the survey is designed to challenge our own attitudes and create a platform for dialogue," explains Franca Giannini-Kurina.
Diversity and Equality Committee: Visions for the future
Franca Giannini-Kurina shares the committee's visions for the future, including increased diversity in mentorship and leadership groups. The committee recognises the need for more diverse role models and is considering a mentorship program to address this challenge. Their ambition also extends towards changing the work culture and environment to accommodate a broader group of employees.
"When it comes to academic positions, we really have our work cut out for us. The Living Lab process addresses imbalances within STEM organisations, but there is still much work to be done," says Franca.
The committee is not only focused on academic positions; they also aim to uncover imbalances among technical staff and administrative employees. A comprehensive effort is required to understand and rectify any disparities.