Partners
As API, we are part of a larger community, both nationally for astronomy and locally as a part of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. We work closely in conjunction with the following organizations:
Netherlands Astronomy Equity and Inclusion Committee (NAEIC)
NAEIC is a committee of the Dutch Astronomy Council (Raad van de Astronomie) and contains representatives from all Dutch Astronomy institutes. The mission of NAEIC is to promote equity and inclusion in the Netherlands astronomy community in the broadest sense.
Faculty of Science (FNWI) Diversity Office
The Faculty of Science's diversity officer is responsible for highlighting issues, can be consulted by both staff and students and provides the dean with solicited and unsolicited advice on matters concerning diversity at the Faculty of Science.
The CDO criticizes and holds to account the CvB and others at the UvA, giving critical feedback when progress halts or falters.
Programs
API is committed to actively working towards a more diverse and inclusive astronomy environment. Here are some of the things people in our institute do to support this:
ASPIRE is an annual 8-week Summer programme for MSc students to do a real research project at the API. ASPIRE is especially meant to reach students from countries and institutes where opportunities for research experience are scarce, especially from groups whose talents are typically untapped and under-represented by astronomical institutes, including, but not limited to: people of colour, women, and students whose socio-economic background is underprivileged.
ALTAIR
The Altair-project is a project by prof. Sera Markoff, where primary school students are acquainted with astronomy and physics. Children of diverse ethnical backgrounds are taught by UvA scientists, reaching about 140 children per year. The hope is that this project will stimulate more students with an non-western background to pursue a study or career in science.
Girl’s Day is an annual event, organized by VHTO, where all throughout the Netherlands companies working in technology, IT and bèta sciences open up their doors to girls from 10-15 years old. The goal is to introduce them to and make them enthusiastic for careers in this sector, and to draw attention to the lack of gender diversity in this sector. API always joins, organized by our outreach organizer Esther Hanko.
Other University of Amsterdam Resources
For all resources related to Diversity and Inclusion at the UvA, please go here:
https://www.uva.nl/en/about-the-uva/about-the-university/diversity-and-inclusion/diversity-and-inclusion.html