Three new diversity networks
Within Utrecht University the number of diversity networks is growing. In the past few weeks two new diversity networks have launched: Accessible Academia and African and Caribbean Heritage Network. In January a third network will be added, the Class Conscious Academics Network.
These and the already existing networks were founded by employees, students or by employees and students together. Utrecht University is happy with its diversity networks and supports them because it is important that people can feel safe and at home within the university. This includes being able to recognise oneself in others within the organisation and being able to connect with them.
Accessible Academia
On 3 December, the international day of people with disabilities, the platform Accessible Academia was launched. Accessible Academia is the first Dutch interuniversity network for and by disabled academics, staff and students. Accessible Academia is designed around three different pillars: exchanging experiences, advocacy and research. The network has ambitions with national scope.
On 26 January, Accessible Academia, in collaboration with NOG PhD council, will organise a lecture by Dr Nicole Brown on ableism in academia. On 27 and 28 January, workshops on the theme will follow.
African and Caribbean Heritage Network
The African and Caribbean Heritage Network (ACHN) is a UU student-led network centered in Utrecht, celebrating African and Caribbean heritage by means of social and educational activities. It is a thriving community open to all students of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds and for those interested in learning more about Africa and the Caribbean. Since there is still absence of ethnic and cultural diversity in academic spaces of UU, ACHN offers students a safe space for collaborative progress and a way to amplify the voices of students of African and Caribbean descent. To do so, the network facilitates gatherings for students in which they can actively engage in dialogues and give them a sense of belonging. The network launched on 10 December.
Co-founder and secretary Makeda Ferguson: “The idea of the ACHN started when our current president, Ragma, and PR manager, Morgan, met at a UU student panel during the BLM at UU Creating Change series. They talked about missing a platform at the UU and in Utrecht to share their cultures and experiences in the Netherlands, and ways to connect with other African and Caribbean people. After Ragma suggested creating a society together, they both approached other students who were of African and Caribbean descent at UU and UCU who also wanted to make a space of celebration and belonging in Utrecht to create a board for this potential society. After many meetings and brainstorming sessions, we decided to create the African and Caribbean Heritage Network.”
In the next semester, the network will organise an information meeting for those interested. The network can be found on Instagram, Facebook and on LinkedIn. For more information mail to: ACHN@uu.nl
Class Conscious Academics network
The Class Conscious Academics Network is a diverse group of academic staff and students working across faculties, united by their lower- or working-class backgrounds.
The Class Conscious Academics Network is a diverse group of academic staff and students working across faculties, united by their lower- or working-class backgrounds. Founder Jeroen Rijnders: "Starting in summer 2020, we started talking with a small group of academics and students about how our 'lower' or 'working class' background shaped our experiences at university. We shared stories of getting away as a 'first generation student,' hard financial obstacles, discrimination through implicit biases, creating a new 'academic' identity, and many other topics. Thus, we discovered that when it comes to equality, diversity, and inclusiveness, in addition to our diverse genders, ethnicities, and sexual orientations, class appeared crucial to us. However, there were hardly any initiatives that addressed this. Therefore, we decided to create a platform for students and academics, firstly to meet in a monthly café and feel more at home as a community at the university. In addition, we are working on a database to create visibility and through which students and young academics can write to a mentor, and in early 2021 we will start a reading group and a series of panel discussions on class in academia to create more awareness about this."
For more information mail to: CCAN@uu.nl.