University of Silesia in Katowice

On the event

The conference „Community of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Towards Supporting Well-being and Sustainability” organised by the University of Silesia in Katowice will be a great opportunity for scientific and social reflection on the meaning and ways of implementing the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in academic and non-academic environments. The meeting will be devoted to the problems of implementing equity and diversity policies and plans, but also to other aspects of the development of various social groups’ well-being, with particular emphasis on the gender context.

The conference will be participated by representatives of various scientific disciplines, as well as people responsible for implementing equity and diversity policies and developing well-being at universities and local communities. The aim of the meeting is to develop conclusions and recommendations on the directions and methods of developing equity policies and activities supporting them, including research, promotion, and education, as well as interventions against violations of human dignity and safety.

The international nature of the conference will facilitate the adoption of a comparative perspective of considerations. The participation of researchers, experts, and practitioners experienced in implementing equity policies in various socio-cultural environments will allow for the exchange of experience and, as a result, mutual learning.

Concept

The goals of the interdisciplinary conference ‘Community of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Towards Supporting Well-being and Sustainability’ concern both science and sociology. The international meeting is intended to contribute to the deepening of scientific discourse on the subject and increase the social impact in the field of disseminating information and promoting the implementation of equity and diversity policies in academic and non-academic environments.

The conference programme includes lectures, discussions, and workshops. It will be an excellent opportunity to think about the importance of the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion together with ways of implementing them, as well as discussing possible problems regarding the implementation of equality and diversity policies.

The conference is addressed to representatives of:

• universities and scientific communities,
• local communities, regional authorities,
• communities related to education,
• organisations and people interested in the subject.

Programme

Opening session – 21.03.2024: Speeches by the authorities of The University of Silesia, the City of Katowice and the region, as well as politicians.

Speakers:

• Helen Dalli – European Commissioner for Equality,
• Roberta Metsola – president of the European Parliament,
• Prof. Zbyszko Melosik – education sociologist, educator, researcher of gender identity, vice-rector for cooperation of the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań,
• Marcela Linkova – researcher of the issues of gender and the status of women in science, employee of the Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Science, Head of the Centre ‘Gender a Veda’, HR development and gender equality advisory body to the European Commission,
• JosAnn Cutajar, PhD – researcher of the issues of gender, Head of the Department of Gender and Sexualities at the Faculty of Social Wellbeing, University of Malta,
• Prof. Agnieszka Gromkowska-Melosik – researcher specialising in the field of pedagogy, feminology, and sociology of education, the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań,
• Caitriona NiLaorie, PhD – researcher of gender inequalities and gender identities, University of Cork, Ireland.

Main thematic panels

Main panel discussions include presentations, discussions, and workshops:

1. Equity and diversity policies and their importance in the development of academic and non-academic communities, career development as well as individual and social well-being. Panel discussion for people responsible for implementing equity plans at universities (21 March) and workshops on gender equity plans (22 March).
2. Research on equity, diversity, and well-being policies – importance, directions, methodological possibilities. Panel discussion for researchers (21 March), poster session, and presentations on equity prepared by young researchers (22 March).
3. Education and promotion of equity and diversity in academic and non-academic environments. Presentations and workshops, including workshops for students (22 March).
4. Safety for diversity – intervention and prevention. Panel discussion with the participation of representatives of intervention entities at universities (21 March), workshops – exchange of experience (22 March).

Additional thematic panels (22 March)

1. Inclusive language, the promotion and development of diversity in education, academic and non-academic environments.
2. Ethnic and national diversity in the academic and local environment.
3. Equity and diversity policies in non-academic environments – local communities and business organisations – good practices (22 March).
4. Creation and implementation of equity policies in academic alliances and consortiums – towards commonality and cooperation within the Academic Consortium Katowice City of Science and the Transform4Europe alliance.

Patrons

Rector of the University of Silesia, Mayor of the City of Katowice, GZM Metropolis.

Financing

The initiative received funding from the project ‘Gender Equality Programme in Academia – Raising Diversity GEPARD’.