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Diversity, equity and inclusion

At ARCNL, we know that the best science comes from collaboration between people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Our institute is highly committed to fostering an inclusive environment that is equally safe and fair for all employees and visitors.

Our vision

ARCNL is an institute made up of people from all over the world, with varying backgrounds and talents, but also ethnicities, genders, sexualities, and nationalities. In addition, ARCNL has strong social cohesion, from our poster sessions to our annual summer outing and our regular Staff Association activities.

Our vision is to strengthen ARCNL even further, by tackling the areas where we lack diversity and improving inclusion in the areas needed. Together we can make ARCNL an even more special place.

That is why we aim to improve, for example, the gender balance at ARCNL. Currently, the gender balance at ARCNL is skewed at the group leader level, as well as among technicians, PhD candidates, postdocs, and secretarial staff.

To ensure that everyone visiting or working at ARCNL feels welcome and represented at our institute, we aim to make this gender balance more equal over the coming years.

Researchers discuss plasma physics in the common area

Additionally, we want to further improve social cohesion and inclusivity at ARCNL. While there are already strong connections between many people at ARCNL, we believe some simple steps can be taken to improve this even further.

For example, we aim to celebrate success more widely and fairly. Also, we want to be sure everyone feels welcome at ARCNL by continuously improving the onboarding process.

Finally, this vision is more than just a single webpage: diversity and inclusion should become a regular topic on the agenda for all.

It is therefore important that we all contribute to an inclusive culture, where it is normal to give each other feedback in an atmosphere that is perceived as open and safe.

Everyone at ARCNL makes it the place that it is, and only together can we make it even better.

The director thanks a colleague for their contribution to the Works Council during the Director’s Announcements

The DEI Team

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team (DEI Team) at ARCNL was founded in June 2024 to develop and implement strategies in awareness, recruitment, and empowerment.

The DEI Team also serves as a contact point for employees seeking systemic solutions to problems they encounter and will periodically consult with employees about future strategies and ideas.

The DEI Team exists to realize ARCNL as a pleasant workplace for everyone, regardless of gender, orientation, skin color, cultural background, religion, etcetera.

They aim to achieve this by assessing the current situation and suggesting and implementing strategies towards a more diverse, inclusive, and equal work environment.

Contact

If you have questions about the ARCNL DEI Team or its initiatives, please contact DEI@arcnl.nl.

Colleagues enjoy the lunch break together
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