What works? - How to make our institute an inclusive environment where we all work at our best?

by Tomas Brage

Tuesday Oct 20, 2026, 3:00 PM → 5:00 PM Europe/Madrid

C7b/058 - Seminar (IFAE Main Building C7b)

For decades, universities and research organisations across Europe have invested in equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives. The challenge today is not simply to do more, but to understand what actually works and how success should be measured.

In this talk, I will address two questions. First, what does recent evidence tell us about effective approaches to creating more inclusive academic environments? Drawing on recent studies and reports, I will discuss lessons from mentoring programmes, career development initiatives, and efforts to promote fair and transparent career paths. I will also consider where interventions are most effective and which groups, structures, or processes should be the primary focus for change.

Second, how should we define success in our EDI-work? Academic institutions often operate within short leadership cycles, while many goals, such as increased diversity among senior staff, require sustained efforts over decades. I will discuss how short-term measures could be used that could safely be assumed to lead to the long-term goals. This will imply that we need to pay greater attention to qualitative indicators such as inclusion, belonging, and well-being alongside traditional demographic measures.

The aim is to identify a palette of practical, evidence-based actions that institutions can use to foster an environment in which all members can contribute and perform at their best.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89787514064?pwd=SkRaOElqanZRNFZXM2d2SE9PN1d0Zz09