On January 1st 2022, Jasper Knoester started as our new Dean of the Faculty of Science. The board of RISE met him during an online meeting, which Jasper described as the following.
“The day started at 9 am with an online meeting with the board of RISE, the network of female scientists in the faculty. Irene Groot, Martina Vijver and Miranda van Eck enthusiastically told me about their research and teaching first. Then we talked about gender diversity. What’s the situation in our faculty and what challenges are we facing? RISE wants to offer a platform within the Faculty of Science where people can talk to each other and feel heard. Workshops and lunches are being organised where anyone is welcome. I like the way RISE connects people in our faculty. And how the platform not only contributes to more gender diversity, but also to a safer, more inclusive work environment.
An inclusive work environment. An expression you hear so much these days and one that is quickly reduced to just words most of the time. But within an international community like our faculty, it’s paramount to pay close attention to this. I will try my very best to support inclusivity in our faculty, to formulate ambitious policies and to make sure they will be successfully implemented. This is high on the agenda of the Faculty Board.”
We look forward to working together on a faculty where everyone feels safe and can work comfortably.
