Diversity and Inclusion

Introduction

Integrating sustainability into our teaching, research and operations is an important and necessary step towards achieving our strategic goals. We are keen to ensure that the process by which this happens is fair and equitable, reflecting our commitment to SDG 10: Reduced inequalities. That is why diversity and inclusion is a priority.

IDEA Center

As from 2023, the Diversity & Inclusion Office at EUR is called the IDEA Center, with IDEA standing for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access. The IDEA Center at EUR plays a significant role in contributing to inclusive education, social safety and equitable opportunities for all our students and employees. In 2024, the first annual report of the IDEA Center was published. This lists the achievements of the IDEA Center team.

Highlights and achievements

Inclusive education

In 2023, the IDEA Center launched the Knowledge Platform for Inclusive Education. This online repository contains a wealth of resources aimed at addressing common diversity-related challenges and serves as an inspirational resource for educators. It provides clear and comprehensive information about a variety of tools and training materials that educators can integrate into their learning environments, both for themselves and their students, to create a more inclusive educational setting.

Enhancing diversity in academia

In 2023, the IDEA Center started Beyond 25/25, which is the second phase of policy measures dedicated to enhancing diversity in terms of gender representation and migration backgrounds in higher academic roles. Our internal figures and the Cultural Barometer underscore the concerning trend of diminishing diversity as one ascends the academic hierarchy. To address this, 63 assistant and associate professors from both The Hague and campus Woudestein enrolled in our mentoring programme, which will conclude in the summer of 2024.

Equal opportunities

In 2023, IDEA Center implemented the academic outreach programme ‘Connecting Our Future’, with all sorts of interventions and activities that make a real impact on equity in education. As part of the programme, the IDEA Center developed ten outreach programmes for children and young people, reached 1,819 pupils through partnership events with ten schools in Rotterdam, worked with over thirty organisations in Rotterdam to reach 750 children and youth, built a community of 62 EUR student ambassadors and completed seven Building New Blocks projects.

Inclusive organisation

In October 2023, the IDEA Center launched the book From Words to Deeds – A Guide to an Inclusive Organisation as part of EUR’s official anniversary programme. The book aims to inspire employers, employees and organisations to create a diverse and welcoming workplace. The book offers practical tools for designing, implementing and evaluating new or existing interventions and policies in inclusion, diversity, equity and access.

At Erasmus University Rotterdam, we are committed to fostering inclusion, diversity, equity and access to every aspect of university life, ensuring a better, brighter and more enjoyable and sustainable future for all.

Author: Prof. Jane Murray Cramm Chief Diversity Officer at EUR

There are multiple teams at EUR that are working to make our university more inclusive, diverse, equitable, accessible and ultimately more enjoyable for all, such as Safe@EUR, student well-being and the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship.

Social safety

The Safe@EUR programme was launched at EUR in summer 2023. Safe@EUR is a central point that helps students, employees and visitors when they want to report inappropriate behaviour. People can also contact Safe@EUR if they want support or are worried about someone else, but are not sure where to turn.

She LEADS

In 2023, the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship created the She LEADS dashboard with various findings on female entrepreneurs.

Student well-being

EUR emphasises the importance of student well-being and offers support in all kinds of areas. The Living Room is a place on campus that is accessible to all students, without exclusion, serving a diverse and inclusive audience, reflecting the EUR community as it is. In the Living Room, EUR students relax, play board games, play pool, knit and much more.

Personal Support Hub

As from the 2023–2024 academic year, students can also contact a health coach in the Personal Support Hub, attend interesting workshops free of charge and have peer-to-peer contact about personal matters with one of our trained student hosts.

Reflection

Dismantling structural inequalities in academia is a critical, yet challenging, task. Our university envisions a community where everyone feels not only free to express their identity, but also truly at home. In 2024, the IDEA Center remains steadfast in its commitment to championing an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible university.