Day of Inclusive Sciences
On 30 March 2023, the Radboud University Equity and Inclusion Office and RUNOMI organized the Day of Inclusive Sciences. It was an inspiring event that brought together people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to highlight the importance of and learn more about practicing inclusive sciences.
Nella Geurts (Assistant Professor Sociology Radboud University) and Rona Jualla van Oudenhoven (RU Chief Diversity Officer) opened the event by giving a welcoming speech. A panel discussion and Q&A with Latifa Abida (Postdoctoral Researcher & Lecturer Maastricht University), Tessa Ubels (PhD candidate RU) and Cesar Merlin Escorza (PhD candidate RU) followed. The discussion revolved around the tensions between practicing inclusive sciences within academic and social systems that are characterized by inequalities.
After the panel, two parallel sessions were organized: Arnold Lubbers (Senior Programme-/Policy Officer at The Dutch Research Council), discussed diversity, equity, and inclusion within the NWO and what can be done to improve it; independent filmmaker Sohel Rahman, PhD candidate Tessa Ubels and PhD candidate Cesar Merlin Escorza talked about the added value of using creative methods in scientific research; Carolien Smits (strategic advisor at Pharos, Dutch Centre of Expertise on Health Disparities) led a discussion on research participation via sounding boards, panels, and steering groups and on how researchers' backgrounds can impact participation; Maria van den Muijsenbergh (Professor of Health Disparities and person-centered integrated primary care at Radboud UMC) gave a presentation on how researchers can meaningfully engage with so-called "hard-to-reach" populations and highlighted the importance of listening to all voices equally.
Finally, participants were invited to engage in a meaningful dialogue during the Exchange Experience session to learn from one another, share their knowledge, and develop new ideas for promoting inclusivity in the sciences.
Topics of discussion during the exchange experience session were:
- involving f. i. refugees already in programming of funding schemes whilst ensuring that participatory involvement is not just a 'tick the box'-exercise
- giving people actual power in decision-making processes in the research process and critically analyzed the role of advisory boards in that matter
- conducting power analysis within research settings and practices
- conducting social justice-driven research with a focus on societal impact.
- how to find room to maneuver both barriers and opportunities of doing research
- looking at both the short-term and long-term implications when considering research questions
- how to bring questions from groups outside academia into the academic sphere
- awkwardness as a moment of learning
- acknowledgment that tools about inclusive sciences need to be part of the curriculum for students
- reflectivity as part of PhD schools
- how inclusive sciences is becoming part of some grants, such as NWA and ZonMW
- the need of budget allocations within grant schemes to facilitate inclusive methods
We would like to extend a special thanks to our speakers and attendees! The diverse range of backgrounds and experiences represented at the event were vital in creating such an engaging atmosphere. The discussions were informative and thought-provoking, and, hopefully, left the audience with a renewed sense of passion and commitment to inclusive sciences. We look forward to continuing the conversation and building on the momentum of this event.
Due to the positive feedback, there will possibly be another edition of the Day of Inclusive Sciences next year, where we will build upon what has been discussed this year. Do you have a suggestion for the next edition, or feedback of this year’s Day of Inclusive Sciences? You can drop your comment here.
Many thanks again for joining the Day of Inclusive Sciences!
