Academia@Workplace Pride supports the overarching objectives of Workplace Pride: “we aim for all LGBTIQ+ employees to be themselves at work and fulfill their fullest potential while embracing their true identity. This applies to the staff, faculty and also the students at the Academia@WP members. The students are of particular interest: if we can instill an LGBTIQ+ inclusive mindset during their studies, then they are particularly well equipped when entering the workforce”. In the last couple of years Academia@WP has seen an incredible growth in the WP membership from academia and research institutes and now we have as members Leiden, LUMC, Delft, Tilburg, NWO, Saxion, TNO, Erasmus, Radboud, Utrecht University and Hogeschool Utrecht.

Universities have two important missions around education and research and at Academia@Workpalce Pride we support both. For example, we addressed the curriculum that has typically been shaped by straight, cisgender, white males and through ‘queering the curriculum’ we aim to add the queer perspective. We also address the position of international LGBTIQ+ students at our universities and universities of Applied Science.

On the research side we work closely with the Workplace Pride chair at Leiden University, prof. Jojanneke van der Toorn: annually we support the academic conference which she organises. We also collaborated on several OpEd articles in the Dutch newspapers, radio interviews and other media representations to further the discussions around LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion.

This year we were involved in the the opening of the Academia@Workplace Pride year in September 2023 in Leiden and we also be involved in Purple Friday together with Student Pride Netherlands.

Michiel Kolman leads the way

“Growing up, I have always had a passion for science, particularly the stars and galaxies. How can you not be in awe when you look up at the sky at night? That brought me to New York in the 1980s for my PhD studies in astronomy. Living in New York City was exciting, but there was also a grim side of crime and the AIDS crisis. I was very impressed by the sense of community among the LGBTIQ+ New Yorkers, united by, e.g. Act Up or Gay Men’s Health Crisis. This planted the seed of how I could contribute something to our community, and I was happy that the opportunity with Workplace Pride came along. Moreover, with Academia@Workplace Pride it all falls into place: my passion for science and sense of community for LGBTIQ+ researchers, staff and students. Exciting to contribute to a more LGBTIQ+ inclusive environment at universities and research organisations and queer the curriculum and research agenda!”

Connect with us at [email protected] with questions, ideas, feedback or request for support.