We believe that a diverse and inclusive community enhances the educational and research experiences of all members, and we are committed to promoting equity and social justice in our department and beyond. Through our initiatives, events, and resources, we aim to cultivate a culture of respect, empathy, and inclusivity that benefits everyone in our community.
See our Past and Ongoing Initiatives:
- Organized Diversity and Inclusion workshops for all permanent staff with managerial roles within the department. Between November 2022 and February 2023, we organized three compulsory workshops for all our PIs under the guidance of professional trainer Esther Mollema. The workshops resulted in a list of specific recommendations to our management team to improve DEI aspects in our department.
- Organizing the IoP/DPA Paid Summer Internship. Diversity is important for the success of physics research. The Institute of Physics (UvA) and Department of Physics and Astronomy (VU) want to stimulate diversity by offering ~10 bachelor and master students of diverse backgrounds the opportunity to explore their interest in physics, through paid one-month Summer internships. (ongoing)
- Collecting and maintaining sex disaggregated data on our department.
-Wellbeing survey for PhD Candidates (ongoing)
-Inclusive Art New SWT Building hall (ongoing)
-D&I workshop with CTL (ongoing)
Additional links finding DEI related resources at VU Amsterdam:
Social Safety
At Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, it is important to us that students and staff feel safe. Have you experienced inappropriate conduct or felt unsafe on campus, off campus or online? Let us know.
Ombudsman Student and Staff
The ombudsman helps students and staff with problems or complaints. It has an independent position, is impartial and handles complaints with strict confidentiality: there is a duty of confidentiality. The ombudsman strives to resolve problems in an informal manner.
Diversity at VU Amsterdam
VU Amsterdam strives for 'inclusive excellence' whereby students, teachers, lecturers and employees within the university use mutual differences to stimulate more creativity and talent development.
Confidential Counsellors Staff and PhD's
The confidential counsellors can be there for you, offer a listening ear and provide support if you experience undesirable behaviour. They stand beside you and can help you find an (informal) solution. The confidential counsellors treat what you tell them confidentially: they do nothing without your permission and knowledge.
Parental Leave
To enable parents to look after their children under the age of eight, the Work and Care Act offers the option of parental leave. The number of hours of parental leave you can take is 26 times your agreed weekly working hours.
Studying with a disability
Do you have a functional disability and do you need facilities or support during your studies?
International Office
VU Amsterdam’s International Office is part of Student & Educational Affairs and assists in students’ and employees’ international mobility. The International Office consists of three departments, with several sub-departments:
3D
3D is the debate, dialogue and diversity stage and the social heart of VU
You can reach out to any of DEI members individually through their emails below. You can also use the collective email address PRJ-BETA-DEIgroup@groups.vu.nl
