2026 Physics and Astronomy DEI Workshop
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When September 22, 2026, 11:00-16:00
Where VO building, De Boelelaan 1100, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam
Register for the 2026 P&A DEI Workshop
The 2026 Physics and Astronomy DEI Workshop is an event dedicated to reflecting on how we work, interact, and build our community as a department.
The programme will start with a plenary session on Brave Spaces, offering practical tools to engage in open and constructive conversations, even when topics are challenging. This will be followed by lunch and a series of interactive parallel sessions in the afternoon (see below for a detailed agenda). The day will conclude with informal drinks, giving everyone the opportunity to continue the conversation.
This workshop is open to all members of the department, including faculty, staff, postdocs, PhD candidates, and students. Whether you are new to these topics or already engaged, the sessions are designed to be practical, accessible, and actionable. You will come away with tools that you can use in your everyday academic environment.
PhD candidates who attend the workshop will receive 0.5 EC.
Important: Participation in the workshop sessions requires registration. Each session has a limited number of places, and spots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly encourage you to register as soon as possible to secure a place in your preferred workshop.
Keynote talk
Keynote talk
"Brave spaces: how to get comfortable with the uncomfortable"
Pravini Baboeram (ECHO)
In this keynote Pravini Baboeram (Center for Diversity Policy, ECHO) elaborates on the difference between safe and brave spaces and how you can shape a brave space to engage in constructive conversations about sensitive and uncomfortable topics.
Parallel workshops
Parallel workshops
"Active bystander"
Gabriella Thompson (Our Bodies Our Voice)
Bystander Intervention teaches individuals how to recognize and safely intervene in situations they feel the need to act upon - this discussion based workshop helps develop participants’ skills to intervene in a variety of challenging, real life scenarios.
"Hot moments"
Selin Yağmur Çakmak (VU Centre for Teaching & Learning)
Learn how to turn difficult conversations, disagreements, and tense moments into opportunities for stronger collaboration, deeper understanding, and team growth.
"Visual Thinking Strategies"
Saskia van der Vies (VU) and Ingemarie Sam (Tilburg University)
Learn about yourself and others through Visual Thinking Strategies: draft ideas out loud, listen to each other, co-construct meaning and honour different perspectives while looking at a work of art.
Agenda
Agenda
10.30-10.50 Walk-in and registration (outside Spectrum 5)
10.50-11.00 Intro by the DEI Council (Spectrum 5)
11.00-12.00 Keynote talk by Pravini Baboeram: Brave spaces: how to get comfortable with the uncomfortable (Spectrum 5)
12.00-13.00 Lunch (ground floor)
13.00-13.45 Parallel workshops 1: Active bystander / Hot moments / Visual Thinking Strategies
13.45-14.00 Short break
14.00-14.45 Parallel workshops 2: Active bystander / Hot moments / Visual Thinking Strategies
15.00-16.00 Drinks (ground floor)
Physics and Astronomy DEI Council
Physics and Astronomy DEI Council
To learn more about our department's DEI initiatives, please visit our website.
We are always looking for colleagues who would like to contribute to our activities. Whether you are a PhD candidate, postdoc, or a member of faculty or staff, you are welcome to join us! If you are interested, please contact us at PRJ-BETA-DEIgroup@groups.vu.nl.
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